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Wyalusing State Park

The Wisconsin Ridge Campground overlooks the Mississippi and Wisconsin rivers 500 feet below. Scarlet tanagers and wild turkeys are among the more than 100 bird species spotted on one-day field trips. 13342 Cty. Hwy. C, Bagley 53801. (608) 996-2261.

Directions: From US Highway 18 and State Highway 35, turn west on County Highway C just south of the Wisconsin River bridge. Follow Highway C to Highway X. Turn right on Highway X and go one mile to the park entrance.

Features: At Wyalusing State Park, you can camp 500 feet above the confluence of the Wisconsin and Mississippi Rivers. One of Wisconsin's oldest parks, Wyalusing features Indian burial mounds, a canoe trail, and bird watching. It's a place to go for fishing, boating, bicycling, picnicking, and enjoying nature. There is an interpretive center, and four historical markers are located within the park.

Campground: (recommended sites in red) Two campgrounds have 109 regular campsites, 34 of them with electricity. There are two sections of family camping with 110 individual sites at Wyalusing. The Wisconsin Ridge campground overlooks the Wisconsin river at the top of the bluff. Many sites have a clear view of this impressive scene. The second, newer campground is Homestead located in a more prairie-like environment of rolling hills edged by forest. Electrical outlets for campers are provided at 25 campsites in the Wisconsin Ridge campground and at 9 sites in the Homestead campground. There also are a modern lodge/dormitory complex with a capacity of 108 people and a group tent campground that accommodates 130 people.
Near the entrance to the Wisconsin Ridge Campground is the Nature Center, Shelter and Concession (photo). The sites in this campground are all open with little privacy, but many have superb views. Sites 101-118 are on the south side of the loop and lack the scenic views of the sites along the north ridge of the bluff. The sites on the inside of the loop, where all of the electric sites are located, are all close together and lack privacy (photo of the inside loop area toward the shower building). If you need an electric site, choose one in the 119-155 area along the north section of the road where some of the sites have obstructed views of the valley across the road. Early sites on the outside of the loop, 101, 104, 106, 110, 112, 113, 115, 117, and 118 are all small, close to the road, and perched at the edge of a steep hill with nice views down into a forested valley (photo of a typical site). Site 114 is a pull-through electric site close to the shower building. The sites on the outside of the loop with the great views are all small and open, with little privacy. Sites 119, 124, and 125 are the first sites with the valley-views (view from site 125). At night, from these sites, you have a nice view of the small airport in the valley below, and the lights of small planes descending into the dark lanes between the landing lights. Sites 127, 129, 131, and 133 have great views (photo) of the Wisconsin River Valley and are across from the modern shower building. Sites 135 and 137 along the ridge get good doses of sunlight along with great views. Site 141 (photo) is shady, and like sites 143 (handicapped, electric, across from the vault toilets), 144, and 146, has fantastic panoramic views of the river valley (photo of sites 143 and 144). Site 148 (photo) has a great view and is shaded by two trees spaced just right for a hammock. Site 150 (photo), and sites 152 and 154, are shady and open with world-class views of the valley and Prairie du Chien with its Mississippi River bridge in the distance. Site 155 (photo) is the last of the ridge-side sites on a low hill, and is close to the Nature Center/Concession building. Sometimes at night you can hear the distant rumble of a train crossing the Wisconsin River bridge, and watch the engine's lights illuminating the trees along the Mississippi as it fades into the silence of the dark river valley.
(Photo: Wyalusing at sunset- notice the dark train cars on the bridge in the left center of the photo, and the distant lights of Prairie du Chien).
The Homestead Campground is wooded with open spaces, and the sites here have more privacy than those at the Wisconsin Ridge. It doesn't have the scenic views, gets more mosquitoes, and has some of the boldest raccoons I've ever witnessed. Be sure to keep any food locked up in your car. I camped here once and didn't know I had left a couple doughnuts in my tent. Most of the night I had raccoons prowling around. One even pushed on my tent now and then, probably trying to tell me to surrender the doughnuts he could smell. They were so persistent, I finally put some lights and burning candles outside my tent and they moved on.
Four different roads branch off a central loop at Homestead. Each road has another loop at the end, with campsites along the route. Some of the best campsites are at the ends of these loops. Within the inner loop is a centrally-located shower building, pit toilets, and a playground area. Most of the sites are medium-sized or larger with good separation, lots of grass, and good underbrush between the sites for privacy. The first spur with sites 201-219 has a mix of shady and sunny sites. Electric site 205 (photo) is sunny and open, located near the vault toilet and water fountain. Two nice sites at the end of the loop in this section are 210 (photo) and 211, shady and private, at the edge of a wooded valley. In the 220-228 loop, site 225 (photo) is the best- deep, shady, and private, with site 226, not as deep, a good second choice. Site 224 has a nice forest view behind it. Double sites 222/223 and 227/228 are good choices for families who want to camp next to each other, grassy with lots of sun. Sites on the 229-244 spur are more open and sunny. The toilets and water spigot are located between site 232 and electric site 233. Sites 235 and 236 at the end of the loop are good choices here, shaded and private, with great views of a forested valley. Sites 229 and 230 are shaded by pines. Site 234 is medium-sized and sunny. Along the 245-255 spur there are lots of pines. Sites 248-253 are the best choices here. Site 247 is medium-sized and shaded by a large pine. Site 248 is large and deep, close to the toilets and water spigot. Site 249 is medium-sized, sunny, and near the Turkey Hollow Trail. Site 252 is medium-sized and backed by a pine grove. Site 255 is a medium-sized, sunny site near the playground and shower building.

The Outdoor Group Camp, near Wisconsin Ridge campground, has five tent sites with a capacity of 130. The Hugh Harper Indoor Group Camp, south of Homestead campground, has a capacity of 108 persons and consists of four dormitory buildings that house 27 in each, and a main lodge with a fully-equipped kitchen and dining facilities. Groups must furnish their own food and bedding.

Map of Wyalusing State Park            Map of Wyalusing State Park Campground

Hiking Trails: Wyalusing has 23.7 miles of trails, including: 22.2 miles of hiking trails, 7.7 miles of mountain bike trails, 6.9 miles of cross-country ski trails, and 2.4 miles of interpretive nature trails.
Bluff Trail : 0.9 miles, 1/2 hour, Medium; level with few slopes and steps. This is a wooded trail (photo) high on the Wisconsin River bluffs that offers some excellent scenery. A flight of stairs leads to Treasure Cave where the adventurous can explore a small limestone cavern. A small side trail climbs the bluff to the stone shelter (photo) at the Knob, at the eastern edge of the Wisconsin Ridge Campground. (Photo: view of the Wisconsin river from the Knob Shelter).
Flint Ledge : 0.8 mile, 1/2 hour, Medium to Difficult; narrow, drop-offs in area. This is a lower bluff trail which meanders along a rock face with cracks, crevices, and small caves to explore. The trail gets its name from the veins of flint (chert) that can be seen along the trail.
Indian Trail : 0.5 mile, 1/2 hour, Difficult slopes and steps, down hill from road. A true former Indian trail that starts near the top of the bluff and winds down to the river bottom. It connects with the Sentinel Ridge, Old Immigrant, and Flint Lodge trails.
Mississippi Ridge Trail: 3.5 miles, 2 hours, Easy; few slopes. The trailhead is located near Henneger Point (photo) and the Mississippi View Picnic Area. In summer it is open for bicycling. In winter it is groomed for cross-country skiing. Gently rolling trail that winds along heavily wooded ridge tops above the Mississippi River to the Mississippi View picnic area.
Old Immigrant: 1.3 miles, 1 hour, Easy; level, wide, slopes along river. Once used by settlers going westward, it led to a ferry across the Mississippi River. The heavily-wooded trail runs parallel to the Wisconsin River (photo). Accesses via Old Wagon Road, Walnut Springs, or Indian trails.
Old Wagon Road Trail : 0.8 mile, 1/2 hour, Medium; wide, gentle slope downhill from road. Heavily wooded, this former covered wagon road follows a seasonal stream to the Wisconsin River and the abandoned settlement of Walnut Eddy which had a ferry crossing the Wisconsin River during the 1830s.
Sand Cave Trail: 1.7 miles, 1 hour, Medium; some steps, steep slopes, drop-offs. This heavily wooded trail winds past a small creek with a waterfall and colorful Sand Cave. The trail continues beyond the cave, over another steam, intersects with Old Wagon Road Trail and goes up to the Knob at the east end of the Wisconsin Ridge campground
Sentinel Ridge Trail : 1.6 miles, 1 1/2hours, Medium; becomes steep and rocky towards boat landing. Running from Point Lookout to the boat landing, this wooded trail turns the corner from the Wisconsin River to the Mississippi River. Midway along the trail is the Passenger Pigeon monument and its scenic lookout , many Indian effigy mounds , the nature trail segment, and spectacular river viewpoints.
Sentinel Ridge Nature Trail: 0.4 miles, 1/2 hour, Easy, surfaced with limestone screenings, fairly level. This is a self-guided, accessible nature trail along ridge top circling around several Indian Mounds. Interpretive panels take the visitor on a human history tour of the people that shaped the area. Begin at the Sentinel Ridge parking lot.
Sugar Maple Nature Trail : 1.5 mile Loop, 1 1/2 hours round trip, Medium, some slopes, steps, and steep areas,gentle slope downhill from road. This heavily-wooded trail features self-guided nature information signs identifying various plants and giving ecological principles. A short side-trail leads to Pictured Rock Cave (photo) which displays a small waterfall tumbling over a limestone outcropping.
Turkey Hollow Trail: 3.2 mile loop, 1 1/2 hours, Easy, but long; wide grassy, gentle slopes. Rolling through open fields, brushlands, oak forests, and a pine plantation, this trail is ideal for wildlife observation. Due to the wide range of plant life and varied topography, many species of plants and animals can be seen along the way including, if you're lucky, the elusive wild turkey.
Walnut Springs Trail: 2.6 miles, 2 hours, Medium; wide, mostly grass, some rocky areas, gentle slopes. This trail descends to an old logging road through a maple woods and along the side of a deep ravine. The trail crosses a small brook many times in the river bottom with its tall nettles and huge walnut trees. Near the park office, it goes out along the edge of a white pine plantation and opens out into a grassland (photo). Its variety of geography, plant cover, and wildlife make it one of the most interesting trails.
Whitetail Meadows Trail: 1.7 or 3.2 miles, 1 hour or 1 1/2 hours, Easy; rolling and grassy. In summer it is open for bicycling. In winter it is groomed for cross-country skiing. The park's observatory and astronomy area (photo) is located near the trailhead. It is a gently rolling trail that follows along the border between open meadows (photo) and woodlands. A good place to view turkeys, deer, and grassland songbirds.

Water Recreation: A canoe trail through the river sloughs offers a unique way to see the waterfowl, aquatic plants, an diverse animal life of the river bottomlands. The trail begins and ends at the park boat landing. Canoes can be rented from the park concession. A boat ramp (photo) is available in the park for launching trailered boats. Motorboats are permitted. Rental boats are available from businesses near Bagley an in the Prairie du Chien area. The Mississippi and Wisconsin river backwaters offer excellent fishing for panfish, bass, northern pike, and walleye. There's an accessible fishing pier (photo) at the boat landing. The state park doesn't have a beach, but Wyalusing Recreation Area, two miles south of the park entrance, has a beach as well as boat landing an picnic area. There's a municipal swimming pool in Prairie du Chien.

Canoe Trail: An interesting 6 mile canoe trail is marked by the park, beginning and ending at the boat landing. As shown on the map, it first winds northwest through Wood Yard Slough before coming out on the Mississippi River. Then the route proceeds downstream on the main channel, cutting back up the slough to return to the landing. Though this is an easy trip, it does require some paddling effort, especially on the last stage. Caution is recommended when the water is very low, making the Wood Yard slough trail hard to follow. Two other hazards to note: Boats on the Mississippi can make significant wakes, some of the worst from small speedboats. And be wary of fall periods of waterfowl hunting. The wildlife can be enchanting along this trail, depending on the season. Wood ducks and other water birds are common, and pileated woodpeckers are often seen.

Nature: Wyalusing's 2,628 acres include hardwood forests, pine plantations, bluffs, springs, waterfalls, wetlands, and backwaters. The park is home to deer, beavers, fox, and many other animals. More than 90 bird species live here during the summer and 100 more can be observed during spring and fall migration. They include wild turkeys, bald eagles, turkey vultures, hawks, owls, waterfowl, woodpeckers, and a colorful variety of songbirds.

Other Attractions:
Wyalusing Recreation Area: At Wyalusing Recreation Area, two miles south of the park, there is a beach (photo), a boat landing, and a picnic area. Across the river channel is another beach (photo) accessible to boaters.

Villa Louis Historic Site: 521 N. Villa Louis Rd., Prairie du Chien 608-326-2721.
Operated by the State Historical Society of Wisconsin, Villa Louis is one of the most complete and authentic Victorian era estates in the country. Also located at this site on St. Feriole Island, are the Fur Trade Warehouse Museum, Brisbois House, the Rolette House, two original log houses, structures related to the early forts constructed here, and three projects under construction: the Dousman House, the Milwaukee Road Depot and a Victorian-Style Park in Lawler Park. The island also hosts re-enactments of the War of 1812, a Fur Trade Rendezvous, the Carriage Classic and special programs about the Dousman family during the season. Tours of Villa Louis, conducted by period costumed guides, are provided daily beginning at 9:00 am; last tour begins at 3:45 PM., May 1 through October 31.

Meet The River Queens: Lawler Park, Prairie du Chien.
Located in the northwest section of Prairie du Chien, only a short walk from Villa Louis, Lawler Park's dock houses the great riverboats, Mississippi Queen, American Queen and Delta Queen as they stop on route north to La Crosse and south to St. Louis and beyond. Enjoy the park's excellent picnic facilities as steam whistles and calliopes signal the Queen's approach, watch the docking maneuvers, and wander down to the dock to greet the passengers and crew as town folks and travelers have been doing at this spot for more than a century.

Pictured Rock Cave