Brunet Island State Park

Brunet Island State Park is a 1,225-acre woodland preserve along the Chippewa River in Wisconsin that encompasses a 169-acre island and mainland parcels. The terrain features hemlock forests, river channels, and the confluence where two waterways meet.

The area was a logging hub during the 1800s before Northern States Power donated the land in 1936. The Civilian Conservation Corps constructed a log building in 1938, and the park welcomed its first visitors in 1940.

The park takes its name from Jean Brunet, a French settler who shaped the upper Chippewa region through dam and mill construction during the logging era. His influence remains visible in the forests that grew back after industrial activity ended.

The park operates two campgrounds with a total of 69 sites spread across north and south sections. Hiking trails thread through forests and along riverbanks, offering routes suitable for different fitness levels.

A tornado in 1977 leveled about 18 acres in the northern section, creating an accidental natural experiment. The birch trees that grew back there reveal how forest ecosystems recover after major disturbance.

Location: Chippewa County

Inception: 1936

Website: https://dnr.wisconsin.gov/topic/parks/brunetisland

GPS coordinates: 45.17920,-91.16640

Latest update: December 6, 2025 17:43