Unfortunately, the secret is out on some of Wisconsin’s best state parks. If you want to visit a beautiful beach, stunning trail, or tranquil picnic area, you might find you have a lot of company. If you’re really unlucky, you might run into closed parking areas, full campgrounds, or long lines at the restrooms. The good news is, there are plenty of parks that offer total peace and tranquility. One little-known state park is far away from big cities and it offer big opportunities for outdoor recreation - without big crowds. It’s called Straight Lake State Park and here’s what’s waiting for you at this hidden gem in Wisconsin:
Straight Lake State Park is located in far northwestern Wisconsin. It’s in Polk County, not far from the little community of Luck.
If you want to visit the park, and you live in a big city, you’ll need to do a little driving. The park is less than 90 minutes from Minneapolis, but it’s more than four hours from places like Madison and Milwaukee.
The park’s somewhat remote location is a big part of why this park is special. You should not have to contend with big crowds on any day of the year.
Straight Lake State Park is not an old park- it was founded in 2002 and is actually the state’s newest state park. Because the park is relatively new, it doesn’t have as many trails and amenities as some parks.
That’s not to say there’s not a lot to enjoy in Straight Lake State Park. The park covers more than 2,000 acres and it has 10 walk-in campsites, carry-in boat launches, and a picnic area with reservable shelter.
The park has a number of notable features, including Straight Lake, a stretch of the Ice Age National Scenic Trail, and the Clam Falls Trail, an abandoned road that was important during the logging era.
Learn more about Straight Lake State Park on the state DNR’s website. If you like discovering little known state parks, here are some more underrated spots you’ll want to visit.
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