Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
farther east is the primitive, isolated
Wabasso Lake,
so secluded that it's a walk-in-only
campground (and free).
Park Falls
ParkFallscaterstoshotgun-totinghunterslookingforthe
Bonasa umbellus
(ruffedgrouse),
astheForestServicemaintains morethan5,000acresofhabitat nearParkFalls.Agateway
community, Park Falls is not only the headquarters of the Chequamegon, but also of the
wild Turtle-Flambeau Flowage.
The
Tuscobia State Trail
runs along an abandoned railroad grade for 76 miles to Rice
Lake. Linked with the Flambeau River Forest trails, its western end also comprises a seg-
ment of the Ice Age National Scenic Trail.
Lots of local resorts offer canoe shuttling and rentals, and a few rent mountain bikes.
America's Best Value Inn
(1212 WIS 13 S, 715/262-3383, $65) has always done right
by me.
Northeast of Park Falls in Butternut are the largest porterhouse steaks you'll ever see at
the
Butternut Resort
(11633 Hwy. B, 715/769-3333, from 3pm Wed.-Mon.).
Contactthe
Park Falls Chamber of Commerce
(400S.4thAve.,715/762-2703or800/
762-2709,
www.parkfalls.com
)
for information.
MM
Wisconsin Concrete Park
The town of Phillip's main claim to Badger fame is the fabled
Wisconsin Concrete Park
(Hwy. 13). Local logger, jack-of-all-trades, and folk artist-gone-overboard, Fred Smith
beganinhisoldagetoassembleimageswroughtfromwire,concrete,glass,mirrors,shells,
beer bottles, and assorted other stuff. Painstakingly creating humanoid and animal forms,
he had singlehandedly created the world's largest collection—200 cowpokes, bulls, bears,
farmers, beer wagons, and more—of concrete art by the time he died in 1976. The park is
sort of an atheist's retreat from all those fervid stone religious grottoes spread across the
Midwest. After Smith's death, decay and storm damage set in before the National Endow-
ment for the Arts stepped in and began restoration. It's an eerie, personal place.Flambeau
River State Forest
This managed, multiuse 87,000-acre forest dates to a 1930 state attempt to preserve
dwindling northern forests. Riparian stretches are the key to the forest—50 miles along the
north and south forks of the Flambeau River. Canoeing is the primary activity besides fish-
