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Pierce County
Attractions
Located in
northwestern Wisconsin along the Mississippi River, Pierce County is
known for its scenic beauty and rural and serene countryside. Whether
you're enjoying the beautiful scenery and recreational activities
along the Mississippi River or the St. Croix Waterway, the numerous
hiking and cross-country trails, or the rustic roads and apple
orchards in the countryside, Pierce County has great attractions and
activities all year long.
For over
100 years the county has enjoyed a prosperous agriculturally based
economy which is still evident today in the numerous dairy farms and
apple orchards dotting the countryside. The area
is noted for agricultural products such as apples, berries, cheese,
honey and maple syrup, and the City of Ellsworth is known as the
"Cheese Curd Capital of Wisconsin." Fresh produce,
cheese, maple syrup as well as apple and berry picking and tours are
readily available throughout the county.
From the
Kinnickinnic State Park in River Falls to Crystal Cave in Spring
Valley, there is much to do and see in every season in Pierce County.
Enjoy boating, biking, wildlife-watching, antiquing, canoeing,
camping, fishing, hiking, hunting, swimming, skiing, snowmobiling and
more. For the sportsman, boating on the beautiful St. Croix River is an unforgettable experience with the convergence of the
Mississippi and the St. Croix Rivers being located at Prescott.
Further east, world class trout fishing may be enjoyed on the
Kinnickinnic and Rush Rivers. There are numerous public golf
course and outstanding parks with well over 200 miles of groomed
snowmobile trails for the winter months and miles of scenic trails for
hiking, biking, sights-seeing and walking in spring, summer and
fall. The county is rich in history and culture with
one of the finest genealogical research centers in the country located
at the University of Wisconsin-River Falls. The University is also
host for the NFL Kansas City Chiefs summer football camp each year in
August.
Sightseers
will enjoy traveling rustic roads throughout the county as well as
Wisconsin's Great River Road which meanders along the Mississippi
River and throughout picturesque river towns with friendly people and
places with reasonable prices. A relaxing weekend getaway in Pierce County may
include a bed
and breakfast inn on the Mississippi, antique shopping in the numerous
antique shops in the county and sampling world famous cheese
curds. It could also include horseback riding, cruising down the river
on a houseboat, or taking a guided fishing tour.
Throughout
the county you'll find excellent restaurants, from home cooking in
family restaurants to gourmet cuisine located in beautiful river
settings. Excellent accommodations await the traveler including
campsites, family motels, rustic lodges, old-fashioned country
farmhouses, and bed and breakfast inns. For the shopper the area
boasts lots of antique shops, unique art and craft shops, and many
wonderful specialty shops. Local communities offer many entertaining
and fun events, festivals and parades throughout the year, including
the Cheese Curd Festival, Polka Fest, River Falls Days, the
Pierce County Fair in the summer, and the Annual Lions Club Apple
Festival in the fall.
Over the years Pierce County
has retained its rural charm, while evolving into the pristine tourist
destination it has become today.
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Museums and
Historical Sites
Pierce County Courthouse
414 W. Main St, Ellsworth
Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, the Pierce County
Courthouse was built in 1905 at a cost of $85,000. Today it is
recognized for its unique beauty, constructed of several types of
stone and pink Tennessee marble. Its high domed ceiling contains original
artwork depicting the beauty of the Midwest, and four paintings
over the main hall represent picturesque scenes in Pierce County. The courthouse is open to the public Monday through Friday.
Welcome & Heritage Center
237 Broad St. North, Prescott
The Welcome & Heritage Center, listed on the National Register of
Historic Places, is significant for its architectural design
with the unique arched windows and Red Wing brick facade. This 1885
red brick structure is typical of commercial buildings in Mississippi
River Valley towns during this era. The Center has historic exhibits highlighting
the local heritage as well as houses Pierce County Tourism and
Prescott Area Chamber of Commerce. Visitors may obtain information on
accommodations, antiques and specialty shops as well as golf courses,
state and local parks, picnic areas, swimming, boating and fishing. Maps
and guides for auto tours to explore the scenic river valleys,
Great River Road and the Wisconsin Rustic Road, near Maiden Rock, are available.
St.
Croix Valley Genealogical Society
University of Wisconsin-River Falls
As one of the finest genealogical research centers in the country, the
St. Croix Valley Genealogical Society, housed on the University of
Wisconsin-River Falls campus collects, publishes and preserves genealogical
and biographical materials relating to the area. Various research is
undertaken by volunteer members of the society.
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Parks
& Nature Centers
Nugget Lake County Park
N4351 County Road HH, Plum City
(715) 639 -5611
Open year round, Nugget Lake County Park is named for the gold mining
that took place in the late 1800's. Nugget Lake is 1.8 miles long and
up to 550 ft. wide and was created by the largest earthen dam in the
Midwest. The park has 752 acres of semi-wilderness. The park features
a campground with 55 units including 32 electrical sites, drinking
water, hot showers and flush toilets. There are seven miles of
groomed hiking and cross-country ski trails, winter sledding,
swimming beach, boat ramp and dock, picnic area, two shelters and
children's play areas. Canoe and boat rentals are available.
Excellent bass and pan fishing all year long. Call for reservations or
more information.
Kinnickinnic State
Park
W11983 820th Ave., River Falls
(715) 425-1129
Kinnickinnic State Park, a wooded area of 1,242 acres, offers a
day-use park with camping limited to boats and features 7 miles of
hiking trails. Trails take the hiker from grasslands to woods to sandy
beaches. There is boat camping for up to 110 boats on the sand
delta where the Kinnickinnic River enters the St. Croix River. In
addition to hiking trails, the park offers trout fishing, picnic
areas, swimming area along the beach and an overlook of the valley.
The valley is one of the best places in the state to view wildlife --
deer, painted turtles, beaver, mink and many other animals.
Cross-county skiing, snowshoeing and ice fishing are popular
activities in the winter. Open year round.
Eau
Galle Lake Recreation Area
W500 Eau Galle Lake Rd., Spring Valley
(715) 778-5562
The Eau Galle Lake Recreation Area features many recreational facilities
surrounding the Eau Galle Lake including two main day-use areas,
two boat launches, campground, beach and miles of trails. The main
day-use area has picnic areas, grills, shelters, large children's
playground, boat launch, fishing dock and courtesy dock. The Lousy
Creek Access has a boat launch, and the Highland Ridge Campground is
located on the north end of the lake and also features a swimming
beach, sand volleyball courts, picnic area, and 35 camp
sites. There are several different trails for hiking and horseback riding.
Cross country ski trails for the novice to the expert are
available and take the skier through woodlands, wetlands and
prairies.
Great River Road Visitor & Learning Center at Freedom Park
200
Monroe St.
Prescott, WI 54021
(715) 262-0104
www.freedomparkwi.org
Stroll Freedom Park's trails and enjoy
scenic overlooks high above the Mississippi River. Marvel at eagles
soaring abouve the confluence of the Mississippi and St. Croix
rivers. Enjoy the native-plant demonstration gardens and a prairie
restoration in progress. Explore the unique stories of the region
through hands-on, audio-visual exhibits.
Butternut
Park
Hwy. 72, Elmwood
(715) 639-3792
Tennis, hiking trails, and 8 electrical hook-ups for campers are
available at Butternut Park. Also offers softball diamond, basketball
court, playground equipment, picnic shelters and grills, restrooms.
Special
Things To Do
Fishing
on the Kinnickinnic River
Kinnickinnic State Park
W11983 820th Ave., River Falls
(715) 425-1129
The Kinnickinnic River is a 25-mile, cold water spring-fed trout
stream that ranks as a Class A category 5 trout stream. Brown trout
fishing is outstanding and with 8 access points, the river is easily
accessible. Fishing begins the first Saturday in May and continues
through the end of September.
Great River
Road Theatre
W10594 560th Ave., River Falls
(715) 425-7969
Call for
performance information and schedule of events.
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Points of
Interest
Crystal
Cave
W2465 Hwy. 29, Spring Valley
(715) 778-4414 or 1-800-236-CAVE
Enjoy a maze of passageways filled with stalactites, stalagmites and
other cave formations led by tour guides. The Crystal Cave is
Wisconsin's longest underground attraction. Crystal Cave grounds also
include a gift shop, picnic grounds and gem panning. Open
Weekends-April/May, Daily Memorial Day through October 31.
Visit their website for more information
www.acoolcave.com.
National
Scenic St. Croix Riverway
This 227-mile National Scenic Riverway offers a variety of spectacular
scenery, wilderness-like experiences and outdoor recreation
opportunities. It includes the St. Croix, Namekagon and Kinnickinnic
Rivers and the Kinnickinnic State Park The City of Prescott is located
at the mouth of Lake St. Croix, which is the widest part of this
riverway. Recreation on the Lower St. Croix including, fishing, power boating,
water-skiing and sail boating. Tour boats from Prescott offer river sightseeing
for both visitors and residents.
Wisconsin's
Great River Road
From Prescott
in the north to Kieler in the south
Enjoy spectacular river scenery, from towering limestone bluffs,
forested dales, and lush backwater bayous, when you travel
Wisconsin's Great River Road. This 250-mile roadway meanders along the
Mississippi River through picturesque river towns, rich in the history
of the area, including early French fur traders, the steamboat era and
the lumber barons. Wonderful restaurants, lodging, shops, as well as
scenery greet your scenic travels. Maps and guides for auto tour are
available at the Welcome & Heritage Center in Prescott.
Rustic
Road Tour
Maiden Rock
Pierce County's Rustic Road is located near Maiden Rock and has a
gravel surface. Whether you travel this 4-mile long country road by
auto, bike or hiking, you'll view the beautiful scenic
countryside. The road is narrow and winds through dense woods as it
crosses a trout stream several times. It will take you past a century
old church, dated 1881, and a historical marker that points out
the site of Laura Ingalls Wilder's home. Information on the Rustic Road tour is available at the Welcome &
Heritage Center in Prescott.
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Festivals
Maiden
Rock Summer Fest
Maiden Rock
Held in mid-June the Maiden
Rock Summer Fest celebrates summer with live music food, kids' games, and parade.
Ellsworth
Cheese Curd Festival
Ellsworth
A 3-day festival in June to celebrate their world famous cheese curds,
includes a pageant, grand ball, music, entertainment, cheese curd run,
antiques, arts & crafts sale, parade, and fireworks.
Ellsworth
Polka Fest
Ellsworth
(715) 273-5596
Every July the Pierce County Fairgrounds features three days of dance
and music. Camping is available as well as food and refreshments.
River
Falls Days
River Falls
River Falls summer festival for three days in July is complete with food,
music, entertainment, children's activity tent, parade, fireworks, and
truck & tractor pull.
Prescott
Daze
Prescott
Enjoy live music, food, classic car show, craft vendors, kids' games,
fishing contest, dance, parade and more for three days in September.
Apple
Festival
Beldenville
At the Apple Festival, sponsored by
the Ellsworth Lions Club for three days in September, you will enjoy
horse-drawn hay rides through the apple orchard at Circle K Orchard,
games, food, Civil War encampment, petting zoo, and extensive craft
fair.
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