Brunet Island State Park
23125 255th S.
Cornell, WI 54732
(715) 239-6888

This 1,225-acre state park straddles both side ofhte Chippewa River along a section that includes Brunet Island. The Fisher River comes in from the north; its bays and lagoons are good places to see beaver, mink herons, and deer. The park's eight miles of hiking trails take you inot different birding habitats. Hike the wetlands along the river to find Hermit Thrushes, Yellow-rumped Warblers and Common Yellowthroats. Nashville Warblers, White-throated sparrows and Northern Parula Warblers like the wooded areas. The bays surrounding the islands on the river hold Great Blue Herons, Hooded Mergansers, Mallards and Blue-winged Teal.

Chippewa County Forest
The 33,000-acre Chippewa County Forest offers a wide range of outdoor recreation opportunities. Much of the forest is located within the glaciated terminal moraine, created by the former Wisconsin Glacier. It consists of oak, aspen, and hardwood stand on the uplands, interspersed with wetlands and lakes in the low-lying areas. The rolling topography offers some excellent terrain for a variety of recreational trails. The Hickory Ridge and River Road cross-country ski trails are located in the forest, with over 12 miles between them. Within the County Forest, is a portion of the 360 miles of county snowmoblie trails. For the horseback rider, there are over 22 miles of horse trails. There are 19 miles of ATV trails. Over half of the 18-plus miles of Ice Age Hiking Trail in Chippewa County, are located within the County Forest. In addition, there are many miles of old logging trails that offer additional hiking opportunities. Hunting, camping, and berry picking are also popular activites.

Chippewa Moraine Ice Age Reserve and Ice Age National Scenic Trail
13394 Co Highway M
New Auburn, WI 54757
(715) 967-2800

This trail runs 23 miles from the Interpretive Cetner to Burnet Island State Park. The trail traverses an area that is heavily forested with numerous kettle lakes. Hiking the trail will produce many northern forest birds: Ruffed Grouse, Great Crested Flycatchers, Cooper's and Broad-winged Hawks, Scarlet Tanager, Indigo Buntings and Great Horned Owls all nest here.

The Ice Age National Scientifc Reserve includes part of the 23 miles of the Ice Age National Scenic Trail in Chippewa County.

No motorized vehicles, horses or mountain bikes are allowed off public roads in the Reserve. Primitive camping is available at designated areas.

Hikers - be aware that trails may vary in difficulty and are not surfaced.

Lake Wissota State Park
18127 Cty Hwy O
Chippewa Falls, WI 54729
(715) 382-4574

Lake Wissota State Park has a number of bluebird houses that are maintained every year. This park northeast of Chippewa Falls has 1,062- acres of primarily young rich forests and open prairie on a 6,300-acre manmade lake.

Old Abe State Trail, Wildflower Trail, & Lake Wissota State Park Trails
23125 255th St.
Cornell, WI 54732
(715) 239-6888

The Old Abe State Trail is a twenty-mile, multi-use, paved trail connecting Brunet Island State Park at Cornell with Lake Wissota State Park at Chippewa Falls. As you hike or ride the Old Abe, you'll see meadowlarks, sparrows, and numerous warblers. At the trail's midpoint at Jim Falls you can access the Wildflower Trail, so named for its spectacular spring wildflower display. One this half-mile hike along the river bottom you might see Pine and Yellow-rumped Warblers, White-throated Sparrows and Alder Flycatchers. Overhead, watch for Red-shouldered Hawks.

Plagge Woods State Natural Area
An old-growth northern mesic forest perched atop a monadnock, an isolated rock of conglomerate and quarzite rising 300'-400' above the countryside. The forest is dominated by sugar maple, basswood, and red and white oak, which covers both the north and south slopes of a ridge on the southeastern edge of the Flambeau Ridge. The forest has a wide range of tree size classes, from seedling and sapling maples to the canopy layer of mature trees, some more than 30" in diameter at breast height(dbh). A few white pines on the north side of the tract are in the 3' dbh class. Groundlayer species are typical mesic woodland plants such as bedstraws, large-leaved aster, golden saxifrage (in springs), baneberries, miterworts, spring beauty, Canada mayflower, wild geranium, and violets. The site was donated by Henry and August Plagge. Plagge Woods is owned by the DNR and was designated a State Natural Area in 1975.