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You don’t have to travel far outside the city to have an amazing outdoor adventure! Come with us to Minneapolis, the city of parks and nature, as we run wild in the Twin Cities! We’ll tour the largest wildflower garden in the country (with a bonus bird sanctuary attached!), paddle the Mississippi River right into the heart of downtown, hike and chase waterfalls at the city’s famous parks, enjoy dinner at a woman-owned local restaurant, and more! We’ll be camping at Willow River State Park just 30 minutes from Minneapolis the whole weekend (for a little taste of rugged adventure), a park famous for its scenic gorge, massive waterfalls, hiking trails and remnant prairie. Participants will also have plenty of free time to explore the area and make this trip their own! Trip Schedule
Thursday: Arrive to camp and explore state park trails
Friday: Head to the city! Paddle the Mississippi River, picnic lunch on an island, tour a wildflower garden and bird sanctuary, hike a regional park with a famous waterfall, and enjoy dinner in the city! Dinner is paid for by participant.
Saturday: Participant’s choice! Either head back into the city; or explore the miles of hiking trails at the beautiful Willow River State Park and paddle/swim in Little Falls Lake. In the evening, head to the town of Stillwater just outside Minneapolis to explore the area’s shops and enjoy dinner. Dinner is paid for by participant.
Sunday: Breakfast at camp and then head home relaxed and refreshed
Trip Details
- Adventure Rating: Beginner
- Main activities: Hiking, paddling
- Camping Details: We’ll be staying at tent sites with access to pit toilets. Showerhouse provided elsewhere in the campground.
- Skills learned on this trip: Fire building, setting up camp, hiking basics, paddling basics
About Willow River State Park
This popular park in northwest Wisconsin features spectacular views of Willow Falls and the Willow River Gorge. Prairie remnants, miles of scenic hiking trails, family and group campgrounds, lakeside picnic areas and a nature center are all found within 2,800 acres of rolling countryside. Visitors will also enjoy paddling, fishing and swimming opportunities on Little Falls Lake. Source: Wisconsin DNR
What can I expect from a Wander Women trip?
Wander Women trips are designed to be restorative and relaxing, full of connection and knowledge building. Days are filled with activities ranging from skill-building workshops (like fire building or plant identification), hammock reading and card playing, to group hikes, impromptu yoga sessions and creek stomping. Nights are spent around the campfire sharing in storytelling, often digging deep into ourselves and our place in nature.
Please know that to us, there’s no right way to wander. We ask that you come as you are — you don’t need to have the gear, the knowledge or anyone else with you to make this trip great. We grant participants and ourselves the right to be imperfect or nervous, and encourage a “challenge by choice” mentality — letting you decide when you’ll step outside your comfort zone, knowing it’s often rewarding when you do. By the end of the weekend, we want you to feel confident in newfound skills, your place in the outdoors and your part in this community. That’s what these trips are all about!
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Event Venue & Nearby Stays
Willow River State Park, North Hudson, Wisconsin, Hudson, United States
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