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| Spring beauty |
Cherokee County Park (Abbotsford)
Riverine wildflowers can be seen Cherokee County Park southeast of Abbotsford. The 1.3-mile round trip Indian Trail follows the Big Eau Pleine River shoreline through the 66-acre park. From Abbotsford, take Wis. Hwy. 13 south. Turn left/east onto County Road N. The park entrance is on the road’s left/north.
Campus Trail Park (Medford)
Woodland wildflowers are impressive during spring at Campus Trail Park next to the Taylor County/USDA Agricultural Center. The 1.2-mile Campus Woods Trail consists of two loops that run through the woods. In Medford, from the intersection of Wis. Hwys. 64 and 13, take the latter south. Turn right/west onto East Conrad Street then left/south onto Donald Street. Park in the lot at 925 Donald Street.
Council Grounds State Park (Merrill)
A number of wildflowers carpet the floor of an old-growth forest with a large stand of white pines that escaped the logger’s ax await at Council Grounds State Park. The 0.9-mile Blue Trail runs through the Krueger Pines State Natural Area in the park. Among the wildflowers are large-leaved aster, Canada mayflower, American starflower, shin-leaf, and wild sarsaparilla. From Wis. Hwy. 64 in Merrill, take Wis. Hwy. 107 north. Turn tight/south onto Council Grounds Drive. Follow the road as it loops through the park. Park in the lot on the loops’ southeast side and walk north alongside the road; the trailhead is on the road’s left/west side.
Dells of the Eau Claire County Park (Wausau)
A number of spring ephemerals thrive on the deep, loamy soils of Dells of the Eau Claire County Park. The 6-mile round trip Ice Age National Scenic Trail passes spring beauty, trout-lily, hepatica, and many other common wildflowers. From Wausau, take County Road Z east. Turn left/north onto County Road Y then left/northwest into the park. Follow the trail from the Dells west to County Road Z.
Big Eau Pleine Woods State Natural Area (Stratford)
Hikers can enjoy woodland wildflowers in the Big Eau Pleine Woods State Natural Area. The 3.4-mile round trip Big Eau Pleine Woods Trail runs alongside the Big Eau Pleine River. Bloodroot, hepatica, trillium, violet all bloom in May. From Stratford, take Wis. Hwy. 153 east then turn right/south onto Eau Pleine Park Road. Next, go right/west onto Moon Road; when it curves south, it becomes Eau Pleine Park Road. When the road splits, go left/southeast; at the next split, go right/southwest. The trail begins at the road’s end.
Powers Bluff Maple Woods State Natural Area (Marshfield)
Hikers can explore the edge of a forested bluff rich with wildflowers at Powers Bluff Maple Woods State Natural Area. The 1.05-miles Potawatomi Nature Trail loops through the state natural area and part of the adjacent Powers Bluff County Park & Winter Recreation Area. Both public areas protect 1472-foot tall Powers Bluff, Wood County’s highest point. Among the spring flowers are wild oats, bloodroot, Dutchman’s breeches, white trout lilies, spring beauties, wood anemone, red columbine, blue cohosh, and violets. From Marshfield, take U.S. Hwy 10 east. Turn right/south onto Wis. Hwy. 186. In Arpin, go right/west onto Pine Road then left/south onto County Road E. Next, turn right/west onto Bluff Drive then right/north onto Park Road. Take the next right/east and park in the lot. Head north on the trail.
Schmidt Maple Woods State Natural Area (Stanley)
Showy wildflowers common to Wisconsin’s maple-basswood forests can be seen at Schmidt Maple Woods State Natural Area. The southern half of the natural area boasts hepatica, yellow trout lily, large flowered trillium, Jacob's ladder, wild geranium, large-leaved aster, squirrel corn, and violets. From Stanley, take County Road X east. Turn right/south on Carpenter Avenue. The natural area is about 3 miles south of Wis. Hwy. 29. Park alongside the road and use deer trails or degraded footpaths to cross the area.
