Western Wisconsin Area Attractions

Western Wisconsin is a cornucopia of adventures.  Some of the many exciting destinations include:

     When exploring the scenic back roads you will enjoy discovering interesting facts about the Land, the History and the Geological Resources of this extraordinary county. The Pierce County Partners in Tourism offers a marvelous self-guided tour of the counties numerous geological formations on a CD.  For more details or to order this CD contact the PCPT at 1-800-474-3723 or visit their website at www.travelpiercecounty.com

     One of the many exciting geological formations referenced on the tourism geological CD tour is Crystal Cave located on the western edge of Spring Valley on Highway 29.  Crystal Cave is the longest cave in Wisconsin and is open to the public from early April through October.  Crystal Cave offers regularly scheduled hour-long guided tours of the cave, plus visitors can browse the gift shop, sample fresh homemade fudge and participate in lucky miner gem panning.  For more details contact Crystal Cave at 1-800-236-2283 or visit their website at www.acoolcave.com

     A short drive from Crystal Cave is the Eau Galle Recreation Area located just north of Spring Valley.  Eau Galle Lake and its surrounding recreation area offers camping, picnicking, a swimming beach, summer and winter fishing, non-motorized boating, great scenery and five miles of hiking trails in eastern Pierce County.  Operated by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, the park's huge earthen dam was completed in 1969 to control drainage from a 64-square mile area. Take Hwy 29 east to CTH CC north, and then follow the signs.  For additional information call (715) 778-5562.

Other family oriented parks in the area include:

NUGGET LAKE COUNTY PARK

Nugget Lake Park offers a full-service campground, 116-acre fishing lake (electric motors only) with canoe and boat rental, picnicking, six miles of hiking and cross-country ski trails, nature programs throughout the summer, and park staff to assist visitors.  Operated by Pierce County, the 752-acre park was created around a large dam created in 1972 to control flooding in the Plum Creek watershed.  Located 30 miles southeast of River Falls.  Take Hwy 29 east to Hwy 62; go south to Hwy 72, then east to CTH CC.  Turn south and watch for the signs.   An entry fee is required for every vehicle entering Nugget Lake County Park.  The fee schedule is as follows:

  Camping fees are paid in addition to entrance fees.  Prices subject to change.  No entrance fees required for Senior Citizens.  Canoe/boat rentals include life jackets and paddles.  Fishing licenses are available.  Dogs on leash only.  Quiet hours exist after 11:00 PM. For additional information call (715) 639-5611 or visit the website at www.co.pierce.wi.us

WILLOW RIVER STATE PARK

Three thousand acres of rolling countryside includes three dams, three lakes, a famous trout stream, sand beach and prairie remnants. Community support resulted in a recent development of a nature center.  Facilities include camping, fishing, boating, canoeing, swimming, picnicking and handicapped restrooms.  About 10 miles from River Falls.  Follow Hwy 35 to I-94.  CTH A north to the park entrances. 
Call (715) 386-5931.

Buffalo Hills Ranch

Located near River Falls WI, less than 1 mile west of Circle K Orchard on 730th Street is home to over 400 Native American Bison. In this pastoral setting one can view the largest mammal in North America just as it was in the 1700's before the land was settled. Owners, Mark and Kathy Gehl welcome visitors to the ranch and offer complimentary tours for a close-up view of their award-winning herd. While visiting the Ranch you may shop for fresh meat and related Buffalo items in the Ranch store. Because this is a working ranch, visitors are requested to call ahead for an appointment. For directions and appointments call (715) 426-5566. For more information about this magnificent animal click on to www.buffalohillmeats.com

KINNICKINNIC STATE PARK

The Kinnickinnic, a cold water trout stream, forms a large, sandy delta where it flows into the St. Croix River.  The park is devoted to boaters who swim and fish, then sleep in moored boats or campsites.  Offerings include fishing, water-skiing, canoeing, swimming and picnicking.  About five miles southwest of River Falls.  Follow Hwy 29 S to CTH F, Travel west to FF.  Call (715) 425-1129.

    The scenic recreation areas are second only to the World-Class pristine fly-fishing sustained by the Kinnickinnic, Rush and Trimbelle rivers that traverse the county.  For Maps, Supplies, Licenses and other related information contact Fred Benson at Lund's Hardware
 (715) 425-2415 or at undshardware.com/home.htm

     Any trip to the Western Wisconsin area would not be complete without sampling the famous Wisconsin Cheeses.  Cady Cheese located east of Spring Valley, a short distance south of I-94 on highway 128, is the countries largest producer of Longhorn Cheese with over 25 tons of cheese being produced every day.  Cady Cheese also produces the world's "squeakiest" fresh Cheese curds. There are over 100 different varieties of cheeses available for sampling and the actual making of cheese may be viewed through one of two viewing windows or with advanced notice, the knowledgeable staff will conduct a tour.  View a video tour of the factory by visiting  Cady Cheese is open daily all year.  The hours are January - April 9 am  to 5 pm and May to December weekdays 8:30 to 6 p.m. and on Sat and Sun, 9 a.m. to 5 p. m.  For more information

 call (715) 772-4218  Or FAX (715) 772-4224 

Another favorite stop for Cheese connoisseurs is the Ellsworth Creamery to sample the famous Wisconsin Cheese Curds.  Ellsworth located in the center of Pierce County has been proclaimed the Cheese Curd Capital of Wisconsin and is home to the Ellsworth Creamery.  Just off Highway 10 on the East Side of town, the Ellsworth Creamery offers a variety of onsite produced cheeses including 4 different flavors of squeaky fresh Cheese Curds.  The Creamery is open Monday through Friday 8-5 and on Saturdays from 8-2.  For additional information call  (715) 273-4311

    For many connoisseurs the perfect compliment for their cheese is a glass of wine. In recent years, western Wisconsin has blossomed with several new vineyards and perhaps one of the finest and most unique is Vino in the Valley located south of Spring Valley on the banks of the Rush River in Maiden Rock Wisconsin just off of State Highway 10.  Vino in the Valley not only offers an excellent assortment of quality wines, the vineyard offers a succulent outdoor dining experience with a complete gourmet dinner of pasta and pizza prepared in an open hearth oven. Visitors are invited to visit the gift shop, stroll along the river and through the vineyard or simply relax and enjoy acoustic music from local artisans near one of the bonfires.  Open June through September on Thursday and Saturday evenings. For directions and details on current events call
 (715) 639-6677
 

Ten minutes from the Ellsworth Creamery between Ellsworth and River Falls you will find Circle K Orchard, home of the Annual Lions Club Apple Festival.  Circle K Orchard is open to the public from early August until October 31 for u-pick as well as prepackaged apples.  In addition to the ever popular “Honey Crisp” apples, Circle K Orchard offers 13 other varieties of Apples, fresh pressed “pasteurized” Apple Cider, Caramel Apple Pies, custom made Caramel Apples, Jam, Jellies and gift items. For directions and additional information on tours call (715) 273-7799 or visit the website at  www.Circle-K-Orchard.com

For the Golfer, the Pierce County area offers a plethora of challenging opportunities from Championship courses like Kilkarney Hills www.kilkarneyhills.com  to the pastoral 9 hole course at the Ellsworth County Club (Open to the public).  For a detailed list of area golf courses visit
 www. wisgolf.com

With over 220 miles of groomed trails, Pierce County is a favorite destination for the snowmobile enthusiast.  For maps and trail conditions contact Nugget Lake Park at (715) 639-5611 or visit the website at www.co.pierce.wi.us

Farm Markets in St. Croix County provide an excellent opportunity to acquire locally grown produce as well as specialty items such as:  organic meats, honey, maple syrup and fresh cut flowers.  There are markets in all the major communities that open in early summer and continue into the early fall.  For a complete listing and details on specific markets go to:  www.stcroixcountywi.com/farmersmarket.htm

 

Bicycling:  Autumn Trek:  www.rivervalleytrails.org/trek.html            Bike Trail Maps This year will mark the eighth annual ride through the beautiful St. Croix River Valley. It will embark Sunday, September 21st, 2008, at Hoffman Park. Ride registrations will begin at 7:30AM with a tentative ride completion time of around 3:30PM The Autumn Trek includes:  Well marked routes and trail maps   Sag wagon support Beautiful rest stops with great food Circle K apple festival and civil war re-enactment Raffle for a Gary Fisher Tiburon cross bike Four scenic country routes from family friendly to the ultimate challenge 25 Mile Kinnickinnic River Amble: Easy to moderate rides that meander around the Kinnickinnic River with ample rest stops along the way. Included in the 25 mile ride is a rest stop at Earth Works Nursery. 45 Mile Trimbelle River Ramble: A moderate ride that travels south of River Falls to the Circle K Apple Orchard before doing a short-cut from the Trimbelle River/Gas Light ride to take you back to Hoffman Park. 65 Trimbelle River Rumble: A moderate to challenging ride along the Trimbelle River to the Gas Light. The route includes a beautiful 18 mile loop, from the Gas Light, that has some long hills on its route to the Great River Road, Mississippi River bluffs and its return to Hoffman Park. 100 Mile Ultimate Challenge: For the rider who wants the ultimate experience. This ride adds an extra loop to the 65 mile ride. (no SAG support on the extra loops) Proceeds from the Autumn Trek will be used to promote bicycle safety and education, bike/pedestrian trail enhancements and interconnected bike/pedestrian routes in the West Central Wisconsin River Valleys. The Wisconsin DOT Transportation Grant awarded through our efforts, to the Town of Troy in 1999 covers the cost of bike shoulders on both side of South Glover Road and North Townsvalley Road. On completion of this and County Road FF and MM bike shoulder projects, there will be a continuous linkup of pedestrian/bicycle trails that connects Hudson and River Falls.   River Valley Trails:  www.rivervalleytails.org Wednesdays, 5:30 PM, Hoffman Park, River Falls.  Usually there are enough riders to form an "A" & a "B" ride. The "A" ride is usually 30 to 40 miles while the "B" ride is 25 to 30 miles. We usually meet back at Hoffman Park to socialize. River Valley Trails accepts no responsibility or liability for this ride. Fridays, 9:00AM, Place to be determined.   SEE WISCONSIN FROM A BIKE SEAT Friday B level ride 45-60 miles through Western Wisconsin countryside. We will meet at 9:00 AM Friday morning and then drive to the starting point for the ride. We will be back in Hudson around 6:00 PM. The rides are designed to maximize the scenic value of lakes, rivers and scenic overlooks. The routes will be slightly to moderately hilly. But, distance and difficulty are negotiable. We will stop for lunch at a café or resort and then loop back to the starting point. The overall average speed will be about 14 mph. For details on the next trip and meeting call Jerry or Deanne at 715-386-6272. River Valley Trails waiver forms are provided for all riders.