The state park system in Wisconsin is so good that frankly it’s a bit of embarrassment of riches. We have so many places we love to go that we get complacent and sometimes forget that there are tons of new and interesting parks we’ve yet to explore.
Brunet Island State Park seems to be less well known, but you definitely want to put this hidden gem on your to-visit list this year.
Located literally on an island in the Chippewa River, Brunet is about 45 minutes northwest of Eau Claire in Cornell.
The park is named for Jean Brunet, a French immigrant who was a fur trader in Prairie du Chien before moving to Chippewa Falls where he helped create the first dam and sawmill, opening the area up to logging.
Brunet is also home to the Chippewa River segment of the Ice Age. This area was highly affected by the Wisconsin glaciation and there are tons of kettles, lakes and formations to see.
