Willow River State Park: hunting and access
Willow River State Park is 2,857 acres of land managed by the Wisconsin DNR in St. Croix County, next to North Hudson. Hunters registered 4,858 deer in St. Croix County in 2025.
Data updated October 2026. Area facts: the DNR's DNR property data, read 2026-10. Harvest: DNR Deer Metrics.
State wildlife areas, forests and other DNR landNational wildlife refuges and waterfowl production areasState parksNational park landOther county, city and regional landLand trusts and other open landWillow River State ParkCounty lineLakeHighway
| Size | 2,857 acres in 7 pieces |
|---|---|
| County | St. Croix County |
| Deer Management Unit | St. Croix County |
| Public access (DNR) | Open to Hiking, Fishing, Hunting and Trapping |
| DNR property page | Willow River |
| Nearest towns | North Hudson (next to it), Hudson (2 mi) and Houlton (4 mi) |
What is Willow River State Park like?
This popular park in northwest Wisconsin features spectacular views of Willow Falls and the Willow River Gorge. Prairie remnants, miles of scenic hiking trails, family and group campgrounds, lakeside picnic areas and a nature center are all found within 2,800 acres of rolling countryside. Visitors will also enjoy paddling, fishing and swimming opportunities on Little Falls Lake.
In the DNR's words, from its page for the property.
What are the rules on Willow River State Park?
The DNR's property map lists Willow River State Park as "Open to Hiking, Fishing, Hunting and Trapping". Hunting follows Wisconsin's statewide seasons and the rules posted on the property.
In Wisconsin state parks and recreation areas, hunting is limited to the seasons and the parts of the property the DNR sets for each one; the DNR's page has the details.
How many deer are taken around Willow River State Park?
Willow River State Park lies in St. Croix County. The DNR registered 4,858 deer in St. Croix County in 2025, against 4,202 in 2024.
| DMU | Willow River State Park acres in it | Deer, 2025 | Deer, 2024 | Deer, 2023 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| St. Croix County | 2,857 | 4,858 | 4,202 | 4,100 |
Harvest for the whole deer management unit, not the property alone: Wisconsin DNR Deer Metrics (registered harvest by deer management unit).
How do you get to Willow River State Park?
Nearest towns: North Hudson (next to it), Hudson (2 miles), Houlton (4 miles) and Roberts (6 miles). Highways within 5 miles: WI 35, I-94, WI 64, US 12 and WI 65.
What other public land is near Willow River State Park?
DNR properties within 10 miles:
- Willow River SHA-WPHRA: 818 acres, next to it
- Ten Mile Creek SHA-WPRA: 216 acres, 3.4 miles away
- Lundy Pond SHA-WPRA: 35 acres, 4.3 miles away
- St Croix Islands Wildlife Area: 1,248 acres, 6 miles away
- Kinnickinnic River Fishery Area: 1,387 acres, 7.6 miles away
Public land within 3 miles of Willow River State Park
Counting Willow River State Park itself, 4,913 of the 46,996 acres within 3 miles of its boundary are public land open to the public (10.5%), by USGS PAD-US 4.1 (fee land open to the public).
| Manager | Acres within 3 miles |
|---|---|
| State wildlife areas, forests and other DNR land | 3,685 |
| National wildlife refuges and waterfowl production areas | 605 |
| Land trusts and other open land | 375 |
| Other county, city and regional land | 227 |
| State parks | 21 |
Questions hunters ask
Where is Willow River State Park?
In St. Croix County, next to North Hudson. The DNR's property page has its maps and parking.
Is Willow River State Park open to hunting?
Yes. The DNR's property map lists it as "Open to Hiking, Fishing, Hunting and Trapping". Posted refuges or closed areas, where there are any, are marked on site.
Which deer management unit is Willow River State Park in?
St. Croix County.
How much public land is around Willow River State Park?
4,913 acres within 3 miles of its boundary, Willow River State Park included, by PAD-US 4.1. The closest other DNR property is Willow River SHA-WPHRA (next to it).
Get a Wisconsin hunt plan when they open
Hunt plans for Wisconsin are coming. Join the list and you'll hear first. The first 50 hunters in each new state get their plan free.
Until then, the free FilledTag app for iPhone has a map that works in every state, Wisconsin included.
Where these facts come from
- Area description, species, rules and directions: DNR, Willow River State Park; Wisconsin DNR managed lands open to hunting.
- Boundary and acres: the DNR's map layer above. Surrounding public land: USGS PAD-US 4.1 (fee land open to the public).
- Deer harvest: Wisconsin DNR Deer Metrics (registered harvest by deer management unit).
FilledTag is not part of the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources. Check the DNR's rules and posted signs before you go.