Family-Friendly Things to Do Near Chippewa Falls, Wisconsin
If you are looking for family-friendly things to do near Chippewa Falls, Wisconsin, I have some very good news for you.
This area is genuinely one of the best-kept secrets in the Midwest for families. And I say that as someone who moved here in 2017, raised two boys on 30 acres just outside of Chippewa Falls, and has spent the last several summers actively trying to do ALL the things.
We are talking free zoos. Sandy beaches. Nature centers with ziplines. Ice cream shops that have been making the same recipe since 1944. Trails that connect entire cities.
If you are researching a move to the area and trying to get a feel for what life in the Chippewa Valley really looks like for a family — this post is the honest, mom-tested answer.
Irvine Park and Zoo — And Yes, It’s Free
I have to start here because Irvine Park is genuinely one of the most underrated family spots in all of Wisconsin, and people who move here can’t believe they almost didn’t know about it.
This 318-acre park right inside Chippewa Falls has a completely free zoo — we are talking cougars, tigers, black bears, bison, elk, and a petting zoo that runs from Memorial Day through Labor Day. No admission fee. Nothing.
Beyond the animals, you have got a splash pad (love this for hot afternoons), multiple playgrounds, picnic shelters, scenic hiking trails, a beautiful dam overlook, and a historic log cabin and one-room schoolhouse you can peek inside on weekends.
The zoo gates open at 8 AM and close at 6 PM. The petting zoo runs 10 AM to 6 PM while it is in season. My absolute best advice: go on a weekday morning. Smaller crowds, cooler temperatures, and the animals are way more active.
Pack a lunch, bring sunscreen, and plan to stay at least two hours. This one is a full morning.
Lake Wissota State Park — The Family Beach Day Destination
Lake Wissota State Park sits just northeast of Chippewa Falls, and it is everything you want for a family summer day.
There is a 285-foot sandy swimming beach with a bathhouse and changing rooms, a playground, a volleyball court, a ball diamond, and two fishing piers. The lake itself is 6,300 acres, so there is plenty of room to spread out.
If your family is into kayaking or paddleboarding, you can rent both right at the park office through the Friends of Lake Wissota State Park. Canoes and an adaptive kayak are also available.
Want to make a full weekend of it? The campground has 116 wooded sites with showers and flush toilets, and 58 of them have electrical hookups. Reservations open up to 11 months in advance — book early for summer weekends.
One quick heads up: a Wisconsin State Park vehicle sticker is required for entry. Day passes are available online through the Wisconsin DNR, or you can grab an annual pass if you plan to visit more than a couple times.
Beaver Creek Reserve in Fall Creek — The Wow Factor Spot
This one surprises people, and it is one of my favorites to recommend.
Beaver Creek Reserve is a nature center in Fall Creek (about 20 minutes from Chippewa Falls) with trails, wildlife observation, a nature center, and exhibits designed for curious little ones. But the real draws for kids are the Butterfly House (open July 5 through September 1, Monday through Saturday 11 AM to 3 PM and Sunday noon to 3 PM) and the outdoor obstacle course with a zipline.
Kids absolutely love it. It is one of those spots that feels like a bigger deal than it is — in the best way.
Admission is $8 for adults and $5 for children ages 2 to 15 (under 2 is free). Hours are Monday through Saturday 9 AM to 4 PM, Sunday noon to 4 PM.
Worth every penny for the experience.
One more thing nobody talks about enough: the actual creek at Beaver Creek Reserve. Bring a small net and a bucket and let your kids wade in to see what they can find. Crayfish, little fish, water bugs, all of it. My boys could spend an entire afternoon doing this. It is free, it is completely unstructured, and it is the kind of thing they will remember way longer than any organized activity. Pack dry socks.
The Chippewa River State Trail — Family Biking at Its Best
The Chippewa River State Trail is over 20 miles of paved trail connecting Eau Claire and Chippewa Falls along the Chippewa River, and it is one of those things locals take for granted until someone from out of town visits and completely loses their mind over it.
It is flat, it is paved, and it is genuinely beautiful. Perfect for families with kids of any age. Pack a cooler, bring the bikes, and make an afternoon out of it. The river views are worth it.
Note: A Wisconsin State Trail Pass is required for bikers and inline skaters age 16 and older. You can grab one at the park office or online.
Loopy’s on the Chippewa River — Summer Tubing
River tubing is the kind of thing that sounds a little chaotic and ends up being one of your family’s favorite summer memories.
Loopy’s in Chippewa Falls is the go-to spot for tube rentals on the Chippewa River. They set you up and shuttle you back — you just float. Perfect for families with older kids, and honestly just a really good summer afternoon.
Check their website or Facebook page for current hours and pricing for the season.
Fishing at Lake Hallie and Erickson Park — For the Kids Who Just Want to Cast a Line
Okay this one is personal. My oldest son Levi is a fishing kid through and through, and these are two of his favorite spots.
Lake Hallie is a community right between Chippewa Falls and Eau Claire with easy access to the water, and it is a relaxed, laid-back spot for a casual fishing afternoon. Nothing fancy. Just a kid with a pole, some patience, and hopefully a little luck.
Erickson Park is another one we keep coming back to. Good access, good vibes, and the kind of low-key afternoon that does not require a plan. Pack snacks, bring a camp chair, and let the kids do their thing.
Wisconsin fishing licenses are required for ages 16 and up, so little ones can fish for free with a parent. Check the Wisconsin DNR website for current season regulations.
Farmers Markets — The Saturday Morning Ritual
If you are a farmers market family (and if you are not yet, you will be), the Chippewa Valley has a really lovely market scene spread across multiple communities.
The Chippewa Falls Farmers Market runs at Riverfront Park on Thursdays from noon to 6 PM. The Eau Claire Downtown Farmers Market is at Phoenix Park on Wednesdays 7:30 AM to 1 PM, Thursdays noon to 5 PM, and Saturdays 7:30 AM to 1 PM.
Bring a reusable bag, some cash, and let the kids pick out one thing of their own. That little bit of ownership makes the whole trip way more fun.
Check out our full farmers market guide for the Chippewa Valley for all the market locations, days, and times in one place.
Olson’s Ice Cream — The Chippewa Falls Classic
You cannot write a guide to family life near Chippewa Falls without talking about Olson’s. It would basically be a crime.
Olson’s has been making small-batch homemade ice cream at 611 North Bridge Street in downtown Chippewa Falls since 1944. They use fresh local whole milk and cream, make it in small batches, and you can sometimes watch them making it while you wait in line.
It is the kind of place that has not tried to be anything it is not, and that is exactly what makes it special. My kids would go every single day if I let them. Which I do not. But I think about it.
Carson Park in Eau Claire — Train Rides and Family Time
Eau Claire is only about 10 minutes from Chippewa Falls, so it absolutely counts. And Carson Park is worth the short drive, especially for younger kids.
The Chippewa Valley Railroad runs on a loop through the park on Sundays from Memorial Day to Labor Day — kids 12 and under ride for $2, adults for $3. The park also has walking paths, picnic shelters, a historic baseball stadium, and water access.
It has this nostalgic, community-is-still-alive energy that is hard to explain until you are sitting in it. A really lovely couple of hours with zero stress.
The Northern Wisconsin State Fair — A True Summer Tradition
Every August, Chippewa Falls hosts the Northern Wisconsin State Fair, and it is the full experience. Carnival rides, live music, agricultural exhibits, fair food that will make you question all your meal planning decisions, and just that summer fair energy that kids talk about for weeks.
It is one of those annual events that makes you feel like a real part of the community. If you are new to the area and want a crash course in what Chippewa Falls is all about, the State Fair is a pretty good place to start.
Free and Rainy Day Options
Wisconsin weather does what it wants, so it is always good to have a Plan B.
The Children’s Museum of Eau Claire has hands-on exhibits for curious little minds and is genuinely fun for kids of all ages, parents included. Check for membership discounts.
The Chippewa Falls Public Library runs Story Time at Riverfront Park on Tuesdays through summer (10:30 AM) and Story Time at the library on Wednesdays at 9:30 AM. All free.
The L.E. Phillips Memorial Library in Eau Claire has multiple story times throughout the week for toddlers and preschoolers, also free.
And if you are looking for indoor play, Action City in Eau Claire and Crickets Pizza and Indoor Playground in Fall Creek are both solid options when the weather does not cooperate.
What Families Who Move Here Say
Here is what I hear from relocation clients over and over: they did not expect to feel this connected this fast.
The Chippewa Valley has a combination of outdoor space, genuine community, and just enough going on that life feels full without feeling overwhelming. My kids have grown up with all of this — the trails, the beach, the zoo, the farms — and it has been everything I hoped it would be when we made the decision to put down roots here.
If you are picturing what your family’s life could look like here, that is exactly what I help people see. You can grab my free Summer Guide for even more local recommendations and activities across the Chippewa Valley. And if you have already been checking out what the area offers and want to talk through the real estate side of things, I am always here.
Ready to Explore?
Whether you are a local family looking for a new adventure or a family from out of state trying to picture what summers in the Chippewa Valley would actually look like — I hope this gives you a really honest, real picture.
There is so much here. The kind of stuff that makes you slow down and think, “we are really lucky to live somewhere like this.”
And if you want the full rundown of everything going on this summer, check out our Eau Claire and Chippewa Falls summer bucket list for a bigger overview of the season.
Go get some Olson’s ice cream. You have earned it. 💕