Right now
Right now as of Nov 13, 2026
- Permit Vehicle admission sticker.
Status note (Nov 13, 2026): Open, as far as we can tell (checked Nov 13, 2026). The DNR conditions page says hiking trails are open, but it still lists notices with past dates. It also says the park is closed to all hunting until Nov. 15, so ask the park about hunting before you go. What the status labels mean
Willow Falls is on the Willow River in Willow River State Park, near Hudson in St. Croix County. The Wisconsin DNR lists a 0.4-mile trail from the Willow Falls parking lot that "goes up and down a very steep hill." A vehicle sticker is required, and the park is open 6 a.m. to 11 p.m. year-round.
About Willow Falls
Willow Falls is on the Willow River inside Willow River State Park, near Hudson in St. Croix County. The Wisconsin DNR runs the park as part of the state park system.
By our math, the falls sit about 29 miles in a straight line from downtown Minneapolis. Driving distance will be longer.
How tall is Willow Falls?
No Wisconsin DNR page we read gives a height for the falls. Travel Wisconsin gives none either.
The dam that once stood here
A DNR water record says "the Willow Falls dam (middle impoundment) was removed in the spring of 1992."
The same DNR record calls Little Falls Lake "the largest and most downstream of three impoundments" on the river. That lake now holds the park's swimming beach.
The bridge view
Travel Wisconsin mentions a selfie stand "at the bridge overlooking Willow Falls." The DNR pages we read do not describe the bridge.
About our map pin
We found no USGS GNIS record for Willow Falls. Our map pin comes from the OpenStreetMap contributors' point for Willow Falls, so treat it as approximate.
The DNR's own park pin, at 45.0124, -92.6784, marks the park rather than the falls.
For another falls near the Twin Cities, see Minnehaha Falls in Minneapolis. Farther north in Wisconsin, try Amnicon Falls near Superior.
Two other Wisconsin state parks have big falls too: Big Manitou Falls and Copper Falls.
Getting there and parking
The Wisconsin DNR lists the park at 1034 Cty Hwy A, Hudson, WI 54016.
For the shortest walk, the DNR points to the Willow Falls parking lot. It is on County Road A, north of the park entrance.
Fees
"A vehicle admission sticker is required," the DNR says. Its rates took effect Aug 19, 2025.
- Wisconsin plates: $13 a day or $28 for 12 months.
- Wisconsin seniors 65 and older: $3 a day or $13 for 12 months.
- Out-of-state plates: $16 a day or $50 for 12 months.
The DNR lists $15.50 a year for an extra household vehicle with Wisconsin plates, or $32.50 out of state. It says the sticker must be attached to the inside driver's side of the windshield.
Hours
The DNR says "the park is open year-round from 6 a.m. to 11 p.m." Its conditions page lists the park office as open daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
The DNR info page gives longer summer office hours, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Call ahead if you need the office.
Contact
The DNR lists the park phone as 715-386-5931. Its call center is 1-888-936-7463, from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Map and nearby falls
Map loads as you scroll. Open in OpenStreetMap
OpenPartly open / seasonalUnconfirmedClosedLarger map
Willow River State Park trails to Willow Falls
The Wisconsin DNR hiking page lists these trails. The Gray, Blue and Pioneer trails reach or overlook the falls. None has an official difficulty rating.
- Willow Falls Hill trail (Gray), 0.4 mile: the shortest route, from the Willow Falls parking lot on County Road A.
- Willow Falls trail (Blue), 1 mile: from the campground to the falls.
- Pioneer trail (Yellow), 1.2 miles: to an overlook above the falls.
- Burkhardt trail (Pink), 2 to 4 miles: from the River Road lot.
- Nelson Farm trail (Silver), 3.7 miles.
The DNR says the Willow Falls Hill trail "goes up and down a very steep hill." It does not mention stairs on any of these routes.
The Pioneer trail leads to what the DNR calls "a spectacular overlook above Willow Falls." The DNR says the Nelson Farm trail "includes some very steep hills."
The DNR also notes that "not all trails are surfaced." Its two accessible routes, the Hidden Ponds Nature Trail and the paved Little Falls trail, do not reach the falls.
Dogs
Wisconsin state park rules say "pets must be on a physical leash no longer than 8 feet at all times." Pets are not allowed in buildings, on beaches or on observation towers.
They are also barred from picnic areas unless an area is designated for pets. The DNR says the park has a pet picnic area, and it lists no pet ban for the falls trails.
When to visit
No official source we read names a best month for Willow Falls. The DNR says the park is open year-round, from 6 a.m. to 11 p.m.
Winter
The DNR lists snowshoeing, hiking, about 9 miles of groomed ski trails and sledding in winter. It says nothing about the falls themselves in winter.
On weekends, the DNR says the Nature Center classroom serves as a warming house from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. About 2 miles of hard packed trails on the north side are open to pet owners.
Status checks
On Nov 13, 2026, the DNR conditions page said "Hiking Trails: are open." It added that trail conditions may vary with weather.
That page looks partly out of date. It still listed items whose dates have passed, such as turkey hunting through May 5, 2026 and trout season ending Oct 15, 2026. It also said the park is "closed to all hunting until Nov. 15." Hunting may be allowed after that date, so ask the park before you go.
The same page says the park's Friends group is building a new mountain bike trail system. It adds that other trail work will take place through the season.
Call the park at 715-386-5931 before you go.
| Trail | The Willow Falls Hill trail is the shortest route at 0.4 mile, per the Wisconsin DNR. It starts at the Willow Falls parking lot on County Road A and "goes up and down a very steep hill." |
|---|---|
| Difficulty | No official rating. The Wisconsin DNR says the shortest trail "goes up and down a very steep hill." |
| Entry fee | A vehicle admission sticker is required, per the Wisconsin DNR. Its rates took effect Aug 19, 2025. Wisconsin plates pay $13 a day or $28 for 12 months. Out-of-state plates pay $16 a day or $50 for 12 months. |
| Permit / reservation | Vehicle admission sticker required, per the Wisconsin DNR. |
| Parking | Willow Falls lot on County Road A (Wisconsin DNR) |
| Dogs | Wisconsin state park rules say pets must be on a physical leash no longer than 8 feet at all times. Pets are not allowed in buildings, on beaches, or in picnic areas unless they are designated for pets. |
| Swimming | The Wisconsin DNR lists a swimming beach on Little Falls Lake with no lifeguards. It says there are no other designated swim areas in the park, and it urges caution when wading. |
| Wheelchair / stroller | The Wisconsin DNR lists two accessible routes, the Hidden Ponds Nature Trail and the paved Little Falls trail, but neither reaches the falls. |
| Best time to visit | No official best month. The Wisconsin DNR says the park is open year-round from 6 a.m. to 11 p.m. |
| Crowds | No official visitor figure found. |
| Managed by | Wisconsin DNR, State Park System (Willow River State Park) |
Safety and swimming
The DNR warns: "Stay well away from cliffs that aren't protected by a barricade or barrier."
It also says trails can be slippery when wet or covered in leaves. Watch for exposed rock and roots.
Swimming and wading
"There is a swimming beach on Little Falls Lake," the DNR says. It adds that "lifeguards are not provided."
The DNR says "there are no other designated swim areas in the park." That means the falls are not a designated swim area.
The DNR also urges caution when wading in unknown waters, because water depth may change abruptly.
In an emergency, call 911. Our waterfall safety guide has more on staying safe near falls.
Conditions change: confirm with the official source before you go.
Where to stay near Willow Falls
Compare hotels, cabins and rentals close to the falls around Hudson.
See places to stay nearbyAffiliate link: we may earn a commission at no cost to you. Partners do not see or change our waterfall facts. Disclosure.
Photos
Willow Falls FAQ
Is Willow River State Park open now?
As far as we can tell, yes (checked Nov 13, 2026). The Wisconsin DNR conditions page says hiking trails are open. It still lists notices with past dates, and says hunting is closed only until Nov. 15, so call 715-386-5931 before you go.
How long is the hike to Willow Falls?
The shortest route is the 0.4-mile Willow Falls Hill trail from the Willow Falls parking lot, per the Wisconsin DNR. It says the trail goes up and down a very steep hill.
How tall is Willow Falls?
Neither the Wisconsin DNR nor Travel Wisconsin gives a height for Willow Falls.
How much does Willow River State Park cost?
A vehicle admission sticker is required, per the Wisconsin DNR. Rates effective Aug 19, 2025 are $13 a day for Wisconsin plates and $16 a day for out-of-state plates.
Can you swim at Willow Falls?
The DNR names one swimming beach, on Little Falls Lake, with no lifeguards. It says there are no other designated swim areas in the park, and it urges caution when wading.
Are dogs allowed at Willow Falls?
As far as we can tell, yes, on a leash no longer than 8 feet, under Wisconsin state park rules. The DNR lists no pet ban for the falls trails, but pets are barred from beaches and buildings.
Nearby waterfalls
More waterfalls to explore
Sources
- Wisconsin DNR: Willow River State Park (read Nov 13, 2026; no updated date shown)
- Wisconsin DNR: Willow River park information (address, phone, hours, park pin; read Nov 13, 2026)
- Wisconsin DNR: Willow River current conditions (trails open, office hours, trail work; items with past dates still listed; read Nov 13, 2026)
- Wisconsin DNR: Willow River hiking (trail lengths, parking, cliff warning; read Nov 13, 2026)
- Wisconsin DNR: Willow River recreation (accessible trails; read Nov 13, 2026)
- Wisconsin DNR: Willow River water recreation (swimming beach, wading; read Nov 13, 2026)
- Wisconsin DNR: Willow River winter recreation (read Nov 13, 2026)
- Wisconsin DNR: Little Falls Lake water record (Willow Falls dam removal, 1992; read Nov 13, 2026)
- Wisconsin DNR: State park admission rates (effective Aug 19, 2025)
- Wisconsin DNR: State park pet rules (read Nov 13, 2026)
- Travel Wisconsin: Willow River State Park (selfie stand at the bridge; read Nov 13, 2026)
- OpenStreetMap: Willow Falls waterfall point (map pin, approximate; read Nov 13, 2026)
Last verified Nov 13, 2026 by The Waterfall Guide editorial team. Conditions change: confirm with Wisconsin DNR, State Park System (Willow River State Park) before you go. Spotted something out of date? Report a correction.