County Forest Recreation

Rusk County Forest Parks include pavilions that may be rented by the day for events. Reservations may be made online. 
The parks are open from 6 a.m. - 10 p.m. daily. Picnic tables, electricity, and barbeque grills are available on site for park users.
The Pavilions are a perfect location for receptions, graduation parties, proms, birthday parties, reunions, etc.   

 

Chippewa Block -  W10990 Dodson Rd, Ladysmith, WI 54848. 441 acres of land along the east side of the Chippewa River in the township of Thornapple at the end of Dodson Road. Parking is available near the course, take a left at end of road and parking will be on the right. Beginner friendly, and a nice casual course for experienced players. Good mix of open, wooded, and elevation. Baskets are orange. Hole 7 is purple for Cystic Fibrosis awareness and Hole 8 is pink for breast cancer awareness. Discs may be checked out in Ladysmith at the Visitor Center. 

Community Park - N Park Rd, Tony, WI 54563. Located 2 miles northeast of Ladysmith at the north end of County Park Road on Lake Flambeau. The park is located next to the Dairyland Hydro Plant and is leased to Rusk County. The boat landing gives you access to the Dairyland flowage for fishing or water sports on the river. Shoreline fishing is accessible as well from the park area. 

Murphy Flowage Recreational Area - N7905 County F Birchwood, WI 54817. Located in the northwest area of the county just outside of Birchwood. The beautiful pavilion is constructed from the wood processed from the County Forest. The only pavilion that is entirely enclosed. There are large bifold doors along the two sides that open the pavilion up along with windows along all sides. Great space regardless of the weather conditions. Nice playground and picnic area for families and larger groups. 

Perch Lake and Audie Flowage Recreational Areas - W14590 PERCH LAKE ROAD RICE LAKE, WI 54868. Located just across from each other, also located in the northwest of the county. These pavilions were constructed from the wood processed from the County Forest. The open design accommodates for large crowds to easily access the pavilions and be a part of the event. Audie has a playground near the pavilion as well for kids to play on and around.  

Josie Creek Park - N6358 JOSIE CREEK ROAD TONY, WI 54563. Located east of Ladysmith just outside of Tony on the Dairyland Reservoir. Josie Creek has two different options, the pavilion or the Clubhouse. For information about the clubhouse call the forestry office at (715)532.2113. The Pavilion is located near the Boat Landing. Follow the small bridge across the creek to a play area designed for kids. Enjoy the day grilling out and enjoying the park. 

The County Forest is filled with Lakes, Rivers, Streams, and Creeks all of which have unique and distinct characteristics. Enjoy a day out on the water all year round.

Audie Flowage – Musky, Panfish, Largemouth Bass, Northern Pike

Bucks Lake – Northern Pike, Panfish, Largemouth Bass

Hill Trail Flowage – Panfish

Josie Creek (Dairyland Flowage) – Walleye, Musky, Smallmouth Bass, Panfish, Largemouth Bass, Northern Pike, Sturgeon, catfish

Lea (Lake) Flowage – Panfish, Northern Pike

Lost Lake – Panfish, Largemouth Bass, Northern Pike

Murphy Flowage – Panfish, Largemouth Bass, Northern Pike, Trout

Perch Lake – Panfish, Largemouth Bass, Musky, Walleye

Skinner Creek Flowage – Panfish, Largemouth Bass, Northern Pike

 

County Boat Landings - Open access for public use
Please remember there is no swimming allowed within 50 feet of any Boat landings  - (ordinance Section 34.99)

Amacoy Lake Landing

Big Falls Flowage Landing 

Bucks Lake Landing 

Clear Lake Landing 

Community Park and Dairyland Dam Landings - Access to Dairyland Flowage

Fireside Lake Landing 

Hatch Landing - Access to Chippewa River 

Island Lake Landing 

Lea Lake Landing 

McCann Lake Landing 

Potato Lake Landing 

Sand Lake Landing 

Murphy Flowage Landing

Audie Flowage Landing

Perch Lake Landing

Josie Creek Landing 

 

 Rusk County welcomes hunters to the County Forest. We ask that hunters respect the land and all neighboring property owners. 

Josie Creek Rifle Range - 50, 100, and 600 yard ranges complete with covered shelters and shooting benches. Parking area available for the range. Any targets used need to be cleaned up and disposed of. Trash receptacle is available at the range. Range is open to for public use. See calendar for closure dates. Range is open from 9am - 6pm. 

 

Josie Creek Archery Range - Maintained by the "Josie Creek Archers". Membership is available by contacting the Club directly. Non-member suggested fees are $10 for anyone 18 and over and $5 for those under 18 years of age. 

 

 Hunter Walking Trails (HWT)  - Designated maintained trails within the County Forest lands for ease of access to hunters. Hunter walking trails are designed to promote safe hunting access and practices within the County Forest with access to fishing, hunting, trapping, and wildlife viewing. Maps are available at the local Forestry Office and GPS linked maps are available for download below. 

 

 Rusk County's Ruffed Grouse Management Area (GMA) is located near Lea Lake in the North Central area of the county. Maps and additional locations within the state are located at the Wisconsin County Forest Website and available for download below. 

 

Here are some guidelines to remember while hunting in the County Forest: 

• Authorized motor vehicles only on the county forest roads 
• You must carry in any tree stands, ground blinds, or supplies - Permanent stands and blinds are not allowed (Code 1987, § 16.02(27)A; Ord. No. 87-51Sec. 34-165)
• Please do not block gates as these are access points for emergency purposes
• Cutting of trees for shooting lanes is prohibited
• It is your responsibility to know and abide by the law, both State and County

 

The forestry roads make for excellent hunting trails. Some of the trails are old logging trails and may have been seeded appropriately to provide a food source for wildlife. These roads are great for hiking, biking, horseback riding, hunting, or other outdoor activities. Please be respectful of the trails and other users. 

Skiing and Hiking are popular recreation activities throughout the Rusk County Forest area. Popular locations include the Blue Hills Trails and the Ice Age Trail.

The Blue Hills Trails - The Blue Hills Trail is a 22-mile system that is considered one of the most scenic cross-country ski trails in the Midwest. The trail's many loops and intersections allow skiers to make their outings as long and challenging or as short and easy as desired. In addition to skiing, the trail is open to snowshoeing, hiking, and biking during the non-winter seasons, and hunting in the fall.

 

Ice Age Trail - Enjoy our portion of the Ice Age Trail through the Blue Hills area. The trail follows the west side of Rusk County from the Birchwood area down to Weyerhaeuser. The remote and rugged segment crossing through the Blue Hills area features a number of scenic and beautiful wetland areas and stream crossings. The trails will take you near several of the County Park areas as well for an option to camp in the area or take a picnic lunch. 

 

Felsenmeer - The Felsenmeer or " Sea of Rocks" is located in Western Rusk County up in the Blue Hills and was formed at the time of the last glaciation. It is approximately 80 feet deep and 1000 feet long!  

 

Gundy's Canyon -  Located along Rock Creek in Western Rusk County. Cliffs are more than 30 feet high and you can find some rare plants growing in the canyon. 

 

Devil's Kettle - Located just to the west of the glacier edge from the last Ice Age. Roadside parking available along County Hwy W. There is a well worn path back to Devil's Kettle. The hike isn't long, but there are some steep parts to the path. Spend some time walking and hiking around this natural feature or just take some time and sit and relax while enjoying the beauty of the area. 

 

If you want to camp as part of your hiking journey, please purchase a Dispersed Camping Permit for any camping inside of the County Forest Lands. 

 

The Rusk County Forest is home to approximately 80 miles of maintained Snowmobile Trails. 

County forest roads are open to snowmobiling once snow covered with a minimum of 1 inch of snow. 

Updates and information regarding the Snowmobile Clubs and trail conditions may be found at the Rusk County Snowmobiling Webpage. 

 

 

 The Rusk County Forest is home to approximately 32 miles of maintained ATV Trails.

The County Forest is closed from March 15th until June 15th to all vehicular traffic.

 

State funded ATV Trails are open May 1st through March 15th unless it is also a county snowmobile trail that is groomed for snow. 

Trail maps are available throughout the county at local businesses. Additional information regarding the ATV trail system may be found at the Rusk County ATVing Webpage. 

 Reference the Rusk County Off-Road Use Map (above) for open road access.