Willow Falls — Local services in Town of Saint Joseph

I've been to lots and lots of state parks and I've never left a bad review. But this place has a couple problems that could be easily fixed. It was our first time here and we only had a few minutes of free time. First, there was a huge line of cars to get into the park on one of the first warm days of the year in early May. There was only one sign in that long line of cars and it said "stay in the left lane" . There was nothing indicating that seasons pass holders can proceed forward to the gate which will be opened remotely by the attendant if they see the sticker on your window. So we sat in the line forever (even though we have a seasons pass). Every other state park has signs indicating a lane for day passes, and a lane for season pass holders. THERE IS NO SUCH SIGN AT THIS PARK! Horrible (non-existent) signage! Second, we parked at the falls parking lot, and the kiosk near the lot HAD NO MAP OF THE PARK! So not knowing where to go, we walked down this long steep hill, where finally after almost a half mile there was a map. I can't understand why there isn't a map at the parking lot kiosk. But we got to see the falls, which were awesome, but we could have seen more if we didn't needlessly sit in a vehicle line, or if we actually knew where to go with the help of a map. We'll have to come...

Nature gets 5 stars but park conditions...$13 is a little high for a day pass per car. $10 for residents. Some rails could have used so fresh paint would have thought covid shut downs the park could have been made pristine. Don't understand why the short drive to the falls nature walk park area was not paved it was dirt if it had been paved they would save on management money. They just as well paved all the nature trails for what they are changing and add dog doo bags and trashcans in general should have been more of a thing up to the falls because you know people. Used a wooden stair to go up over the top of the falls was a little rickety and patched together with many screws. They should have updated these a few years ago and all they'd need to do is paint. They should pay a guy or a gal to walk around as a park official the can give historical information or the land ecological and geological. That I would pay $15 as it is now it should be $9 and $10. Over all really not that bad...

Views, and beauty of the place makes this 5 stars!! The overflow of people though, especially during the Covid-19 outbreak, makes the rate a little lower. Of course we figured there would be "some" people. But we were not expecting someone there guiding the traffic because of how many there were. When we got there we finally found a place to park, but it wasn't in the actual parking lot and we weren't sure if it was right or not. Then we see a DNR man writing down all of our license plate numbers, we still have yet to know why. Well we were gunna leave, but we already drove so far, so we continued on our way. Down this VERY steep hill. Once we got to the waterfall it was absolutely BEAUTIFUL!!!!!! It was so perfect in such ways mother earth can bring. But trying to take a picture without people, all while required to stay 6 feet apart. Not the best idea. Next time we come it will be during the weekday and like 6 in the morning. Please plan...