Copper Falls State Park #24

It became very clear early on in the planning process for the Wisconsin State Park Project, that we were going to need to camp to make the project feasible. Camping as a couple, and camping with a 2 year old are as many of you know, completely different endeavors. If you have been following our journey, you may recall our ill-fated camping attempt at Kohler Andrae State Park #10, where we packed up camp at 11:15pm to make the two hour drive home.

However, this time, we were headed north, really north, like get on a ferry to get to an island north of Wisconsin north. So, needless to say, (but I'll say it anyways), there was no heading home on this trip. We planned a long weekend to visit Copper Falls State Park, Big Bay State Park, Amnicon Falls State Park and Pattison State Park, and it was awesome.

We headed out early on a Saturday morning, with the first scheduled stop on our trip, or Weekend O' State Parks if you will, as Copper Falls State Park. We have visited Copper Falls before G, and it was one of our favorite parks to date, and I have to say, it still is. First though, we stopped for a lunch break at the Wisconsin Concrete Park. It's a good stopping point, but boy, it's also something to see. The artist, Fred Smith, started making concrete statues in the 1960's and over time, it became an attraction. It delighted G and honestly for me, emitted a slightly macabre vibe, so we didn't linger. (Photos below, I know I can't exclude those after that tidbit.)

Copper Falls was established in 1929, and in addition to having a great deal of history, it's also geographically stunning. Areas of the park have been mined for thousands of years, first by the Old Copper Culture Native Americans, and later by European settlers. In the 1860's, the river bed was mined for copper, and although there isn't a lot of information about this time, it was assumed it was to assist with the North's armament needs during the Civil War. Amenities were later added during the 1930's by the Civilian Conversation Core, a group who have pretty much done work in every state park we have visited.

We hiked the Doughboys Trail at Copper Falls, which winds around Brownstone Falls, Copper Falls, Devil's Gate, and the Cascades, providing a view of every fall in the park. The park was busier on this date than it had been during our previous visit which took place in the Fall. G's feet did start dragging about halfway through, but he was amenable to being carred, not so amenable lately to having pictures taken (more amusing evidence of that later).  There are several other great trails at this park, I look forward to returning when we can! Next stop, (on the same day), Big Bay State Park!