New trail crosses state park’s northern side

Nelson Farm (Silver) Trail's West Segment

Nelson Farm (Silver) Trail map

Route crosses river, passes vista of lake, leads to waterfall

A new trail in Wisconsin’s Willow River State Park recently opened a large swatch of previously inaccessible green space to the public.

The Nelson Farm (Silver) Trail, unveiled in summer 2012, runs 5.7-miles one way. It nicely links the park’s developed southwest side to its northeast corner, where a popular trail heads to Willow Falls, the park’s centerpiece.

Given the length and access points, for day hiking, Nelson Farm (Silver) Trail is best broken into three segments.

Trailheads for the three segments described below all are located along 115th Avenue, aka River Road. To reach them, take Exit 4 on Interstate 94, and head north on U.S. Hwy. 12 for about 1.6 miles. Go County Road U for about 0.3 miles to County Road A, where you’ll continue past the park’s main entrance. After passing through the tiny village of Burkhardt, turn left/northwest onto County Road I then left/west onto 115th Avenue/River Road.

West Segment
The trail’s western segment leads to a bridge overlooking the Willow River.

You can reach the trailhead from 115th Avenue/River Road by turning left/south onto Nelson Farm Road. In about a half-mile is the Nelson Farm Parking Lot on the right/west side. The trail leaves from the lot’s southeast corner; go right/southwest onto it for a 3.6-miles round trip.

The wide jeep trail curves up a knoll into a woods. Little more than a third of a way to the turnaround point, the trail crosses an open field with a steep hill.

The last third of the hike to the destination heads again through a woods as approaching the river.

In just under two miles from the parking lot, the trail ends at a bridge that crosses the Willow River, offering scenic views. On the bridge’s south side is the Trout Brook (Purple) Trail.

Center Segment
The central portion of the trail leads to a scenic overview of Little Falls Lake.

Reach the trailhead by parking in Nelson Farm Parking Lot, as with the West Segment, except go left/northeast on the trail. The segment runs about 3.6-miles round trip.

Upon leaving the parking lot, the trail briefly passes through open prairie, but most of the route is lined with mixed hardwoods.

About halfway to the turnaround point, after climbing a steep hill, the trail reaches a scenic overlook of Little Falls Lake. Formed by backing up the Willow River at Little Falls Dam, the lake covers 140 acres and reaches a maximum depth of 18 feet. Largemouth bass is abundant in the lake, but northern pike, panfish and smallmouth bass also thrive more.

From the overlook, the trail makes a steep descent. The next trail intersection is a stem leading to River Road Hunter’s parking lot; turn around at the intersection and retrace your steps back to the Nelson Farm lot.

East Segment
Impressive Willow Falls awaits day hikers on the trail’s eastern section.

To reach the trailhead, take 115th Avenue/River Road to the River Road Hunter’s parking lot. The 4.2-miles round trip trail leaves from the lot’s south side, heading into the woods.

This is the stem leading to the main trail, which is reached at the first intersection. From there, go left/south.

Initially, the trail is a steep hill. The good news is the entire trail is forested, providing much appreciated shade on sunny days.

The trail heads to the Willow River’s north shore, upstream from Little Falls Lake.

Next, the path intersects and ends at the Burkhardt (Pink) Trail. Walk a few hundred feet south and down a stairs on the Burkhardt, though, and at the footbridge you’ll come to Willow Falls, a set of cascades that drops 45 feet with gorge walls rising 200 feet above the water.

The route on the south side of the bridge is the Willows Falls Hill (Gray) Trail.

Learn more about nearby day hiking trails in my Day Hiking Trails of St. Croix County guidebook.

Diverse array of trails await at Willow River

Willow Falls, Willow Rivers State Park
Photo courtesy Wisconsin DNR.

Day hikers will find several excellent trails – including several to a scenic waterfall – at Willow River State Park outside of Hudson, Wis.

To reach Willow River State Park, take Exit 4 from Interstate 94, and head north on U.S. Hwy. 12 for about 1.6 miles. Go County Road U for about 0.3 miles to County Road A, where you’ll continue for another 1.5 miles. The park’s entrance is on the road’s left side. Some trails listed here are best reached from other park entry points, however.

The state park’s trails include:
g Burkhardt (Pink) Trail – A walk alongside a scenic river, Willow Falls, and some impressive overlooks await hikers on this trail, which actually is three miles of connecting paths. It’s also known as the Pink Path because of its color on state park maps.
g Hidden Ponds Nature (Black) Trail – The half-mile interpretive loop is paved, level and out of the wind, ideal for young children. The walking path is right next to the park’s nature center and a short stroll to the park’s swimming beach.
g Knapweed (Orange) Trail – The trail runs for 0.9 miles one-way alongside an effort to restore prairie as it existed in Wisconsin before pioneers arrived during the 1800s. Among the plants you may notice – especially in late June to early July when it blossoms – is the purple knapweed, the trail’s namesake but unfortunately an invasive species that actually threatens the prairie and other ecosystems.
g Little Falls (Green) Trail – The 0.7-mile paved trail rambles alongside a Little Falls Lake between Little Falls Dam and the campground. A variety of waterfowl can be spotted from it.
g Mound (White) Trail – Located in an often overlooked section of the state park, the 1.1-mile Mound Trail offers views of the Willow River and a glacial mound (a hill that resisted erosion during the last Ice Age) on the opposite shore.
g Nelson Farm (Silver) Trail – The state park’s newest trail opened in summer 2012. The 3.7-mile trail heads from a bridge on the Trout Brook (Purple) Trail through several ecosystems to the lake’s north side.
g Oak Ridge (Brown) Trail – Hikers can learn about geological features created during the last ice age on this 1.1-mile trail. It heads from the beach through hardwood forests.
g Pioneer (Yellow) Trail – Among the best views of Willow Falls can be seen from an overlook on the 1.2-mile trail. It also passes the gravesites of the area’s first white settlers.
g Trout Brook (Purple) Trail – This 1.4-mile loop takes hikers through red pine stands and open prairie. You’ll be able to spot great blue heron, ducks and snapping turtles along the way.
g Whitetail (Red) Trail – Expect to spot at least the tracks of whitetail if not the graceful deer itself on this 0.7-mile trail. The path cuts across open fields and along a forest’s edge.
g Willow Falls Hill (Gray) Trail – The quickest way to reach beautiful Willow Falls is this 0.4 trail. The downside is the hill is quite steep, which may not be ideal for very young children.
g Willow Falls (Blue) Trail – An easier but longer trail for reaching the waterfalls is this 1-mile route. It follows the Little Falls Lake and Willow River shoreline to the falls.

Read more about day hiking the scenic riverway in my guidebook Hittin’ the Trail: Day Hiking the St. Croix National Scenic Riverway.