Brunet Island State Park in Wisconsin, USA - map and visitor information

Research checked: 2026-10-30. Check linked official notices before travel.

Brunet Island State Park near Cornell, Wisconsin, combines forest walks with lagoons and channels between the Chippewa and Fisher rivers. Start with a short nature trail, then spend time watching the waterways.

Follow the nature trail from the island bridge

The 0.8-mile Jean Brunet Nature Trail starts near the main bridge. Interpretive signs explain the local landscape and history. Its 500-foot paved segment offers a shorter accessible option, rather than making the entire loop a paved route.

Know before you go

Fees, hours, and seasonal access

Treat the river setting with care

Changing river flows can expose rocks, especially toward Cornell at the island’s south end. Check current conditions before approaching or using the water. A quiet-looking lagoon does not establish a safe water level.

Protect the shoreline and restoration plots

Take day-use trash home. Keep fires in designated facilities and extinguish them before leaving. Pets are not permitted in the beach or picnic areas. Leave the fenced plant-restoration plots undisturbed and watch animals from a distance.

Reserve the pavilion for a gathering

The rustic log pavilion is available for rental. Follow the reservation link on the picnic and shelter page for a planned gathering.

Find the Cornell park

Use 23125 255th Street, Cornell, WI 54732. The official park information supplies directions and the park office contact.

Continue along the Chippewa River region

Old Abe State Trail connects with the park entrance through a one-mile hiking and biking link. Lake Wissota State Park is farther south at 18127 County Highway O near Chippewa Falls. Both are separate destinations with their own pass requirements.

Choose a short walk or a longer trail day

• Use the Jean Brunet route for a short interpretive walk.
• Compare the park’s longer walking options in the hiking guide.
• For cycling beyond the park, riders age 16 or older need a state trail pass on Old Abe State Trail.

A pavilion and a partly paved nature route

The log pavilion provides a reservable gathering space. The paved segment near the main bridge ends at a turning area and table. Use the trail description to match that specific access feature to your group’s needs.

About the river and island landscape

The park covers more than 1,300 acres in Chippewa County. Its rolling ground reflects the most recent Ice Age, while the river channels shape the present visitor experience.

An island donation and a CCC shelter

Northern States Power Company donated the 179-acre island in 1936. The park dedication followed in 1940. Civilian Conservation Corps workers built the log shelter in 1938.

Watch the lagoons and forest

Beaver, otter, muskrat and mink use the surrounding waters. Bald eagles and osprey also occur here. The fenced woodland plots help protect native plants from deer browsing.

Contact

Call 715-239-6888 for local conditions and access questions. Check the state admission rates before buying a vehicle pass.