Winter Wonderland Scavenger Hunt!  

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Saturday, February 22nd anytime from 1-3 pm. Meet at the Willow River Nature Center.

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Bundle up and bring the family out to the park for a fun-filled Winter Scavenger Hunt! Follow our checklist-style scavenger hunt to spot winter wonders or take on the challenge of solving riddles along the Hidden Ponds Nature Trail. After your adventure, return to the nature center to claim a participation prize! Be sure to dress warmly, and bring water, waterproof boots, and cozy layers for a memorable day of winter exploration.

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This event costs $5/family and vehicle admission into the park is required.

Wings & Wilderness - Kinni Birding Walk

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Sunday, February 23rd. Hike leaves at 9 am sharp (9-10:30 am total). Meet at Kinnickinnic State Park gravel parking lot off of 770th avenue. 

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Join us for a relaxed, family-friendly birding hike. This short trek will lead us through some of the best local habitats for spotting winter birds. Whether you're a seasoned birder or just getting started, bring your binoculars (or borrow a pair of ours) and learn to identify a variety of feathered friends by sight and sound. Our guide will share tips on birdwatching and help you discover what makes our local species unique. Dress warmly, bring a water bottle, and get ready to experience the wonders of winter birdlife!

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This event is free to attend, but vehicle admission into the park is required.

Frosty Falls Hike!

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Saturday, March 1st. Hike leaves at 10:00 am sharp. Meet at the Willow River Nature Center. 

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Join us on a wintery walk to Willow Falls. This is a spectacular time of year for viewing the frost covered falls. But don’t just take our word for it, get out there and see for yourself! This will be a 4-mile round trip hike. Depending on the weather and depth of snow, it can be considered moderately strenuous with some hilly/rugged terrain. Be sure to dress in warm layers, bring plenty of water, and waterproof  hiking boots with ice cleats or snowshoes.

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This event is free to attend, but vehicle admission into the park is required.

Mammal Trivia Hike 

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Saturday, March 8 anytime from 1-3pm. Meet at the Willow River Nature Center. 

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Hit the trail and enjoy a fun and educational hike where you’ll learn all about fur-bearing animals. We’ll have skulls and pelts for you to examine and feel while you play a hands-on trivia game along the Hidden Ponds Nature Trail to test your knowledge of Wisconsin mammals. 

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This event is free to attend, but vehicle admission into the park is required.

Wings & Wilderness (Kinni Birding Hike)

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Sunday, March 9th. Hike leaves at 9 am sharp. Meet at the gravel parking lot on 770th avenue. 

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Join us for a relaxed, family-friendly birding hike! This short trek will lead us through some of the best local habitats for spotting winter birds. Whether you're a seasoned birder or just getting started, bring your binoculars (or borrow a pair of ours) and learn to identify a variety of feathered friends by sight and sound. Our guide will share tips on birdwatching and help you discover what makes our local species unique. Dress warmly, bring a water bottle, and get ready to experience the wonders of winter birdlife!

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This event is free to attend, but vehicle admission into the park is required.

Winter Farewell Hike at Kinnickinnic State Park

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Sunday, March 16th.  Hike leaves at 10 am sharp. Meet at the Kinnickinnic State Park gravel parking lot on 770th avenue.

 

Join us on a peaceful 3-mile round trip hike along the Kinnickinnic River as we say farewell to winter and prepare for spring! The red trail offers a wonderful easy-going hike on a narrow trail through both prairie, and forested landscapes with sneak peaks of the Kinnickinnic River down below. Please come dressed for the weather, bring along water and good hiking boots (with ice cleats if we’ve had snow/sleet/rain). 

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This event is free to attend but vehicle admission into the park is required.

"What Do You Spy with Your Eagle Eyes?"

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Saturday, March 22 at 10am. Meet at the Willow River Nature Center. 

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Join local author and photographer Jean Maher and learn what is special about taking photos in nature by using your powers of observation.  Slide show/activity followed by a hike to take your own photos. We'll come back and share a few together. Come to this fun event with your child, ages K-5th grade. Please dress for the weather and bring a water bottle along with you. Approx. finish time: 12:00-12:30pm depending on the pace of the group. 

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This event costs $5 at the door per family/group (cash only). Vehicle admission into the park is a separate and required fee.

Survival Without A Smartphone 101

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Saturday, March 29 at 10am. Meet at the Willow River State Park Nature Center.  

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Seats are limited for this program! REGISTER HERE: https://tinyurl.com/WillowSurvival 

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Smartphones are great. They do a lot for us, no doubt. But they won’t help you if you get lost in the wild. Reception and battery power is not guaranteed, but your ability to survive without it can be. Join us at the Nature Center and learn about compass and map reading, fire-making, shelter building and more in a friendly, relaxed environment! Children ages 10 and up are welcome to attend with a parent or guardian. The program duration time ranges between 2.5-3 hours long and is a combination of lecture and hands-on lessons. 

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This event costs $5/person in support of our nonprofit's mission. Vehicle admission into the park is required.