Council Grounds State Park #21

We stopped at Council Grounds State Park on the way home from the anniversary celebration weekend. Council Grounds was thought to have once been the site of annual Native American councils and encampments. The park stretches along the shores of the Wisconsin River, and offers views of a dam which forms Lake Alexander. The park has a 217 foot beach with a grassy hill for picnicking with play equipment and shelters.

We hiked the Big Pines Nature Trail, and then followed the road north to view the dam and arrive back at the beach. The hike was pretty enough, through forests and meadows, but the most remarkable part of the park was the views of the river. We had a great picnic spot here, too, overlooking the river above the dam. There is a family campground with 55 sites, and fishing with canoes and kayaks available to rent. If you plan to visit though, be sure you have a map or printed directions, we had to stop at a gas station to ask for directions (just like the 90s, it was great!) as our GPS kept wanting us to drive in circles. Next stop, Bigfoot Beach State Park!

Note: G was not into the required selfie today, this is the only one showing any part of him!