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Willow River State Park
4.7 ★★★★★ 4,381 Google reviews · Running trail in Hudson, Wisconsin · Posted hours
Runner's snapshot
- Surface
- Not reported
- Distance
- Not reported
- Shape
- Not reported
- Shade
- Not reported
- Access
- Posted hours
Confirmed from Willow River State Park's own listing, the park or land manager's website, and runner reviews. Blank cells mean we could not verify that fact — we would rather say "not reported" than invent one. There is no Easy / Moderate / Hard rating on this page on purpose: a one-word difficulty score tells you nothing about whether a trail suits your run. Surface, distance, shade and hours do.
3,000-acre riverside park encompassing Little Falls Lake with a waterfall, swimming & canoeing.
What runners say about Willow River State Park
“The look out is a serious amount of steps but very well maintained and again doable for most able to walk.”
“Willow River State Park is a beautiful park filled with activities to do like hiking, swimming, fishing and sightseeing.”
Beautiful nature park, but I’m only giving it four instead of five stars for one reason. The large crowds at the Falls ruins the vibe and people crawling all over the falls, ruins the nature around the it. I think they should find a way to eliminate people from climbing and walking across the falls and river.
Willow River State Park is one of those parks that feels way more dramatic than you’d expect for eastern Wisconsin. The main draw is the 45-foot Willow Falls – a wide cascade that looks great year-round, especially after rain or in early spring when the water’s high.
This place is awesome. It has nice wide trails with some narrower hiking only winter trails. The waterfall was very cool as well as the story behind the former dam. I don't like the available PDF map with the trails but the gal in the office was very helpful.
Willow River State Park is a beautiful park filled with activities to do like hiking, swimming, fishing and sightseeing. Bring plenty of water as you will be walking a lot to get to places on the trails.
Trail conditions & character
“A super popular state park with a wonderful waterfall spot, as well as a campground, nature center & recreational lake with beach areas.”
“If you want to go to the falls and don't mind a very steep hill, park in the first parking lot off to the the right hand side as you pull into the park.”
“If you want to go to the falls and don't mind a very steep hill, park in the first parking lot off to the the right hand side as you pull into the park.”
“Downsides: bathrooms at the trailheads could use updating, and the park gets packed on Saturdays from May to September.”
Plan your run at Willow River State Park
The practical stuff
- AccessPosted hours — posted hours below; park gates sometimes close earlier than the listing says
- DistanceNot reported. Trail systems often quote total path mileage rather than a single loop, so measure the route you actually want before you drive out.
- ShadeNot reported. Assume some of it is exposed and carry water in summer.
- At the trailheadparking, restrooms — reported by runners
- Websitednr.wi.gov
- Phone(715) 386-5931
- Social Instagram · Facebook
Hours
| Monday | 6 AM–11 PM |
| Tuesday | 6 AM–11 PM |
| Wednesday | 6 AM–11 PM |
| Thursday | 6 AM–11 PM |
| Friday | 6 AM–11 PM |
| Saturday | 6 AM–11 PM |
| Sunday | 6 AM–11 PM |
Running trails near Hudson
Other trails within easy driving distance — useful when this one is flooded, gated, or just not the run you had in mind today.
Grandview Park
4.6 ★★★★★ 262 reviews
Recreational area with a playground, picnic tables, and facilities for softball, baseball, and dogs.
Prospect Park
4.7 ★★★★★ 168 reviews
Wooded picnic-table park featuring a playground, an overlook and a pavilion with fireplace and barbecue facilities.
Weitkamp Park
4.7 ★★★★★ 242 reviews
Clean park with a playground and a slide, as well as a sledding hill.
