Buckhorn State Park

For a pawsome outdoor adventure in central Wisconsin, don't miss Buckhorn State Park! Featuring diverse environments and various recreational activities, Buckhorn is a dream destination for hikers, campers, water enthusiasts, and nature lovers. Four-legged adventurers are welcome too, so don't leave your canine pal at home when you visit this pawtastic state park!

Together with two neighboring state wildlife areas, Buckhorn covers more than 8,000 acres on a peninsula in the Castle Rock Flowage of the Wisconsin River and along the Yellow River. You and Fido will find miles of trails running through oak woods, wetlands, and other habitats here, but keep in mind that marked nature trails are off-limits to furry hikers. If exploring the park with your pup, check out the 1-mile Glacial Lake Trail, which winds through oak and pine forest and offers views of a large sand blow. From Glacial Lake, you and your pooch can also access the shorter Turtle and Whispering Pines Trails. The former leads to a kids' fishing pond, while the latter provides a pleasant walk among pine trees.

For a relaxing and educational boat ride, follow the 1.8-mile Canoe Interpretive Trail. Designed to help visitors learn about wetlands, this self-guided trail begins and ends at the canoe launch on the east side of the park and includes 10 numbered posts on the shoreline. Stay quiet and alert, and you will likely see deer, ducks, geese, and herons along the way. If your pup can't get enough of the water, take them to the small dog swimming beach off of Water Street west of the Buckhorn Bridge.

If you'd like to extend your adventure, make yourselves at home at one of the park's 68 family and 50 cart-in campsites, all of which come with its own picnic table and fire ring. Whether you're in the park for a day or a weekend, always keep your doggo on an 8-foot leash and clean up after them.

An unfurgettable experience awaits you and Fido at Buckhorn State Park!