A delta whose sandbar extends into Lake Pepin, and a gorge where cascades flow into a small pool: Pierce offers a glimpse of landscapes shaped by rivers, shorelines, and changing terrain. There are also opportunities for hiking, mountain biking, fishing, and birdwatching. River areas, forest, and prairie each reveal a different side of nature.

Rivers and Landscapes with Distinctive Forms

In Pierce County, Kinnickinnic River Gorge and Delta is an undisturbed river gorge with diverse plant communities and a large, semi-open delta. The Kinnickinnic River deposited it at its confluence with the St. Croix River. In this landscape, Devil’s Mixing Bowl consists of cascades that emerge in a deep, box-shaped gorge and flow into a small pool. The gorge, waterways, and open delta plain form clearly distinct landscape features.

Rush River Delta protects a floodplain forest at the mouth of the Rush River, where it meets the Mississippi River and Lake Pepin. A sandbar extends into Lake Pepin and offers shorebirds feeding and nesting sites. Bay City is also on Lake Pepin: the city in Pierce County is located along the Great River Road Scenic Byway at the upper end of the lake.

For trips along the Great River Road, the center in Freedom Park provides brochures and maps. The Bluff Walk in Freedom Park runs along the Mississippi and provides information about a migratory bird route shaped by the movements of large birds such as trumpeter swans and eagles. The information connects the river route with the subject of bird migration without implying that sightings are guaranteed at any particular time.

Forests, Prairies, and Birdlife

More than 140 bird species have been recorded as breeding in the Kinnickinnic River valley during the breeding season. Pierce County Islands Wildlife Area offers a different way to experience wildlife, with opportunities for birdwatching, hiking, snowshoeing, and wildlife viewing. The two examples highlight different things: the variety of breeding birds in a river valley, on the one hand, and a range of activities in a wildlife area, on the other.

Trenton Bluff Prairie consists of two dry prairies on steep sandstone bluffs along the Mississippi River, topped by towering limestone cliffs. Several Great Plains plant species are found there at the eastern edge of their range, including Plains Muhly (Muhlenbergia cuspidata) and Prairie Larkspur (Delphinium carolinianum). Morgan Coulee Prairie stretches for more than half a mile along a steep, south-facing slope in a coulee that opens into the Rush River valley.

A deeply incised gorge, sandstone outcrops, and a rich remnant of southern mesic forest shape the landscape at Plum Creek Woods. A scenic, sculpturally shaped bay also lies in the sandstone-lined drainage channel. These details reveal the contrast between open prairies, wooded gorges, and striking rock formations.

Trails, Water, and Activities

The St. Croix River and the Kinnickinnic River meet in Kinnickinnic State Park. The park offers about 9.2 miles of hiking trails through hills, forests, and prairies, as well as more than 10 miles of singletrack mountain biking trails. This means visitors can explore a designated hiking route through different landscape types as well as a dedicated network of mountain biking singletrack.

At Kinnickinnic River Fishery Area, you can fish at bridge crossings, from the shore, or while wading. There are 14 parking areas providing public access. This adds an activity right by the river to the hiking and biking trails, along with specific information about access points.

Nugget Lake County Park includes a 116-acre lake completely surrounded by forest. Eau Galle Recreation Area includes a reservoir covering 139 acres. Only boats without gasoline engines are allowed on Eau Galle Reservoir. To reach Eau Galle Main Day Use Area, take exit 24 from I-94 and follow County Road B; the area has a sandy swimming beach, a boat launch, and a fishing pier.

Discover more destinations: River Falls, Clark County, Waushara County, Green County, Marathon, Fond Du Lac County, Winnebago, Juneau County.

For the main travel overview: Wisconsin.