Willow River State Park — Attraction in Town of Hudson

Tldr: past two visits had way too many people that aren't respectful park visitors.

My son and I were here a few years ago in the fall and loved it, but we were here for a quick stop around 4th of July and it was a zoo with large groups and lots of litter everywhere. Came back the weekend of August 1 for car camping and wasn't much better. Complete Minnesota invasion🤪 Not sure if it's because of covid and proximity to the cities?

Recommend swimming suit and water shoes if you're going to venture into the water. Questionable parenting for those who let their kids (some toddlers and/or unattended) venture into the falls where the rocks are very slippery. I watched one man precariously carry two young children to a rock near a ledge, stepped back to take a picture, and fall off the ledge. Could have ended a lot worse if he didn't manage to catch his balance. Overall seemed like folks minded their own business and were having fun without being destructive, so I had fun people watching and silently judged them🤪.

If you're camping, be prepared for more hordes of people and bring your ear plugs! I've never been to a busier or noiser campground. Most of the sites had 2-3 tents each. Judging by the number of strollers I saw this weekend, lots of young children at the campground. There was an infant in the sites across from us. Another site next to us had oodles of small children that frequently squabbled and stayed up well past 11 pm. The adults smoked right next to the children. And they must have been hard of hearing because they seemed to shout during normal conversations. Not sure if there are limits to the number of people per site but it's not enforced if there is.

Camp 300 had nice trees for shade but camp 100 looked like it was quieter. We didn't check out camp 200. Private showers are at camp 100. I had a hard time finding them at camp 300, so not sure what the park employee meant by "public showers". Wasn't about to let anyone see this jello on my midsection, so we opted for the showers at camp 100.

Be prepared to shell out if you camp here. I think it was $88 for 2 nights, $38 for annual park pass (that only takes you through December 2020), $7 per bundle of wood. I wanna say ice was $5 for 6 pounds, or something ridiculous like that.

Good location otherwise. Conveniently close to the cities and Hudson for supplies. And relatively close to Cady Cheese factory for our obligatory cheese stop while...

The campsites were very spacious, and when possible, they tucked the picnic tables behind bushes and trees, which afforded some privacy, and kept the dust down, not that it was dusty, since the roads were paved. We had two "sleeping" vehicles, and had no trouble finding level parking, and many sites had areas of shade and sun. There were some walking paths, most of their length meandered through the campgrounds, but wherever possible, they were also hidden somewhat by shrubbery and trees. We are seeing more camping hammocks, but I did not notice any in the 100 or 200 areas, so perhaps the trees were not appropriate, or hammocks ate not allowed? Signage was clear, pointing out the diffrent campgrounds, and the lake beach, and launch area. You could also rent kayaks! The roads were well maintained, and the space between campsites was so nice, that you could really relax. We saw and heard various wildlife,like a howling, though lonely coyote, a monarch butterfly, a huge bald-faced wasp nest, (a first for me!) 2 catbirds, chickadees, turkey buzzards, bluejays, and a few mosquitoes. The upper loops had a nice breeze, and suited us well. Tje third loop, the 300's, was a titch more remote, and less developed, and may appeal more to some campers, as it was on lower ground, and seemed to be maybe older, with more dense forest and fewer campsites. Could be a bit buggier there, though. Saw a doe there, gracefully picking her way through the undergrowth, and though she was not tame by any means, (thank goodness!) she showed caution, but no real fear. Camp signup was slick online, and equally easy in person. Employees were helpful, cheerful, and efficient. Fire wood available on site. Vault toilets closed for the season, but flush Bathrooms were available, and clean. There was some highway noise noticable at night, and an early hours train that apparently "laid on the horn", but the campground has no control over that, and was so lovely, that one can overlook those two realities. Will definitely camp here again....

Willow State Park is such a beautiful spot for a quick nature getaway. We recently visited on a Friday afternoon in August, and the highlight was definitely the waterfall. The walk from the parking area to the falls took us about 15 minutes. The trail is mostly paved, which gave us good traction, but be prepared—there are some very steep sections that can get your heart pumping. The combination of shaded areas and open stretches made the walk enjoyable, and along the way you can hear the rushing water getting closer, which builds the excitement.

When we arrived, the falls were absolutely gorgeous—powerful yet peaceful, surrounded by lush greenery. It’s the kind of place that makes you pause and just take in the scenery. That said, a word of caution: the rocks around the falls are covered in moss and can be extremely slippery. Our daughter unfortunately slipped and hit her head, which was scary. We’d definitely recommend sturdy, non-slip shoes and taking your time if you decide to explore the rocks.

There were about 50 people around the falls when we went—enough to give it a lively atmosphere but not so many that it felt overcrowded. Families, couples, and even solo hikers were all enjoying the view. A fun feature worth mentioning is the bridge setup: there’s a built-in phone holder positioned perfectly for selfies with the falls in the background. It’s a clever and convenient touch that makes capturing the memory a breeze.

All in all, Willow State Park is a gem. The short hike makes it accessible to most visitors, the scenery is stunning, and the amenities—like the selfie station—show that the park is thoughtfully maintained. Just remember to watch your footing near the water and you’ll have a safe,...