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    Lake Wissota State Park

    3.8 (9 reviews)

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    Campsites are all along this road
    Diana R.

    Lake Wissota State Park campgrounds was a peaceful retreat for our 4th of July weekend. Even with a full house (all campsites were reserved), we still felt enough privacy and tranquility. Every morning I woke up to the soft chirping sounds of the birds somewhere high above, and nothing else. Our campsite had direct access to the bathrooms and showers; they were just 50ft away. Not everyone is so lucky. Even though bathrooms are available in between the campsites, other campers had to walk a few hundred feet to get to the closest showers. There are two showers, three bathroom stalls and three sinks. Some mornings you may have to wait a little longer for the showers, but no more than 10 minutes. I'd rate them a 6 out of 10 for cleanliness. This is roughing it, right? As for other camp activities, we had access to the trails (for walking and biking), stairway to the lake, playgrounds, beach (don't imagine Miami Beach), canoeing, horseback riding, paddle boats, and tubing. We went on a 4 mile walk/run along the Lake Trail and stopped at a few places to take pictures of the lake and vegetation. It was very quiet and alone once you're farther from the campsites, so definitely recommend these explorations to be done early and buddy-style. If you need a little more of the comforts of home, there's a grocery store about 15 minutes away--Gordy's. We found everything we needed there for our BBQ and breakfast the next day, like hamburger meat, hotdogs, turkey, baguette, eggs, pretzels, refreshments, and fresh fruits. Not too far away from the park you can also drive to Irvine Park for a free entrance to their petting zoo and wild animal exhibits. Then there's the brewing house, Leinenkugel's Leinie Lodge where you can go in for a 45 minute tour or just sample 5 beers for $5. For a first time camper, I think I did well and really enjoyed my stay at Lake Wissota State Park. We had the camping experience, but could also find what we needed just outside of the campsite.

    Anthony R.

    My wife and I spent a nice, relaxing day here hiking and enjoying nature. The park has miles of beautiful trails and it also includes a well-maintained little beach.

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    Irvine Park

    Irvine Park

    4.7(15 reviews)
    6.3 mi

    Went here on Independence Day weekend due to recommendations I've received from locals. The actual…read moreviewing area for the animals is a little bit longer of a drive once you enter the park winding through the forest. Parking and admission is free but they do accept donations. They were a decent amount of animals to look at from birds to bears. The only downside is that the animal exhibits were only a few which isn't bad if you're three for picnics or exploring the forest/play on one of their various playgrounds. They do have a concession stand in their welcome center but doesn't look like much. All in all, a good place to spend a summer afternoon if you way to plan a picnic or do something outdoors as well as spend some time petting animals!

    This is one of the best parks in the Midwest…read more The zoo is fun during the summer, with peacocks that are free to roam around the avian area. We spent a good couple of hours just watching them doing bird things, including ostentatious displays of power and mating ability. This year, we went in fall and the birds were away. We did see some bison behind a fence. It's quite amazing to be three feet away from them, something which you wouldn't be able to do safely in the wild. Further down the road, there are a couple of donated buildings: an early 20th century area school and a 19th century pioneer log home. The school is a particularly fine piece of architecture. Scattered through the park are many pavilions and covered picnic tables. It's a great park and zoo!

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    Irvine Park
    Irvine Park - Flag Hill building

    Flag Hill building

    Irvine Park

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    Buena Vista Park

    Buena Vista Park

    4.7(12 reviews)
    54.5 mi

    As a previous campground host, this was THE # 1 place I recommended people check out while here…read more It's only a 5 minute drive up. It is SPECTACULAR. I cannot imagine why anyone would give it less than 5 stars. While there are only swings here ( marked down by a previous viewer for this reason) there is lots of grassy area for kids to run around far away from the cliffs. Be aware, there are no guardrails at the viewing point... so watch kiddos closely . Enjoy the views of the Minnesota bluffs across the water as you gaze upon the Mississippi river down below and the Alma dam to your right ! You might get lucky and see a barge coming through. There is a steep hiking trail @ the north end of 2nd St in Alma to start your way up. Otherwise, you drive up from the far South end of town. Well marked. Don't miss this "beautiful view"!

    Buena vista park is nice little place with a terrific view of the Mississippi, the Alma lock and…read moredam and a lot of interesting scenery in between. There are some nice stair and benches, plus a restroom (that I did not go into, so no idea if it is a flush one or not) by the parking lot. Not any barriers between you and the bluff, but it isnt too bad as far as the fear factor. We had a nice little visit and the photo ops are GREAT!! It was an easy enough drive up to the park from Alma as well. Nice little place

    Photos
    Buena Vista Park - Mississippi River looking towards the Minnesota side'

    Mississippi River looking towards the Minnesota side'

    Buena Vista Park - Power plant south of alma

    Power plant south of alma

    Buena Vista Park - Alma lock and dam on the Mississippi

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    Alma lock and dam on the Mississippi

    Hunt Hill Nature Center - Nature

    Hunt Hill Nature Center

    5.0(2 reviews)
    55.2 mi

    A great place to take the family for summer camps, beautiful hiking, nature education and tons of…read moreprograma

    This is going to be one of those reviews where I open with a quote/poem. Today's selection will be…read moreone of my favorites from Wendell Berry: When despair for the world grows in me and I wake in the night at the least sound in fear of what my life and my children's lives may be, I go and lie down where the wood drake rests in his beauty on the water, and the great heron feeds. I come into the peace of wild things who do not tax their lives with forethought of grief. I come into the presence of still water. And I feel above me the day-blind stars waiting with their light. For a time I rest in the grace of the world, and am free. Now that I got that out of my system, I love this place. They offer a ton of camps and classes for children and adults all centered around nature and conservation. I rememember coming to the day camps here and having a blast. I did the Spanish Lanuage immersion camp, general day camp, but never the week long over night. They offer cabins for rental as well. There was this one we went to that was like way out there on this trail and built from super old wood in a lincoln log kind of way. And now just looking at their website, they apparently rent that out too on a nightly basis. Ooh and the bogs. They have this massive bog on the property that you can walk through and it has all these crazy species of plants. There's even one of those insect eating plants and orchids and stuff. Now that I'm thinking about it, this place would make for a great Yoga retreat. If you're reading this Ms. Hunt or whoever owns this place, you should explore the idea of a partnership with a Yoga studio. You could be like the Kripalu of the midwest.

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    Hunt Hill Nature Center - Nature

    Nature

    Hunt Hill Nature Center - Nature

    Nature

    Hunt Hill Nature Center - An autumn day at the Bog boardwalk. Photo taken by L. Ward.

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    An autumn day at the Bog boardwalk. Photo taken by L. Ward.

    Lake Wissota State Park - hiking - Updated June 2026

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