Park Falls, Wisconsin
The City on the Flambeau & Ruffed Grouse Capital
1895
~2,300
Flambeau River
The Largest City in Price County
Current Weather
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Humidity: 41%
Wind: 2 mph
Sunrise: 10:16 am
Sunset: 1:42 am
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Moderate rain
Park Falls sits where the North Fork of the Flambeau River drops over a series of falls in the heart of northern Price County. With a population of roughly 2,300, it is the county’s largest city and its commercial center. The paper mill shaped this town for over a century, and today Park Falls draws hunters, paddlers, and anglers who come for some of the best outdoor recreation in northern Wisconsin. It is also home to the Park Falls Ranger District headquarters of the Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest, putting 1.5 million acres of public land within easy reach.
A Century of Paper
Founded as a company town for the Flambeau Paper Company, Park Falls grew rapidly around the mill. While the industry has evolved, the resilient spirit of the “Mill City” continues to drive the local economy today.
Park Falls Highlights
🦆 Ruffed Grouse Capital
Recognized globally for premier upland bird hunting, drawing sportsmen from across the country every autumn.
🎣 The Flambeau River
The lifeblood of the city, providing hydroelectric power and endless opportunities for kayaking and musky fishing.
🏗️ National Forest HQ
Home to the Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest headquarters for the Park Falls Ranger District, your gateway to 1.5 million acres of public land.
Things to Do in Park Falls, WI
Ruffed Grouse Hunting
Park Falls calls itself the “Ruffed Grouse Capital of the World,” and the numbers back it up. Young aspen forests, logging roads, and vast public land in Price County produce some of the highest grouse densities in the country. The Wisconsin season runs mid-September through late December (check Wisconsin DNR regulations for exact dates). The Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest offers walk-in access across thousands of acres, and old logging roads make reliable grouse trails. Popular areas include forest blocks along Highway 182 east of town and the Flambeau River State Forest to the north. Grouse numbers rise and fall on a roughly 10-year cycle, so check population reports before booking a trip. For more on fishing and hunting in the area, see our best fishing in Price County guide.
Flambeau River Paddling and Fishing
The Flambeau River flows 150 miles through the Northwoods before joining the Chippewa River, and some of its best water runs through Park Falls. Above the city, the North Fork offers flatwater paddling with intermittent rapids. Below the dam, the river picks up pace with Class I and II rapids in spring and early summer. The 9-mile stretch from Park Falls to the CTH D landing is a reliable float. The Flambeau is also one of Wisconsin’s top musky rivers — local guides regularly boat fish over 40 inches, and the pool below the dam is a known musky holding area. Walleye, smallmouth bass, and northern pike round out the fishery. For trail maps covering the river corridor and nearby ATV routes, check our ATV trail map.
Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest
The Park Falls Ranger District office at 1170 4th Avenue South is your starting point for the Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest. Stop in for maps, trail conditions, camping permits, and local knowledge. The district manages roughly 300,000 acres with over 100 miles of hiking trails, dozens of remote campsites, and hundreds of miles of ATV and snowmobile trails. The Penokee Mountains trail system, 20 minutes east, offers ridge-top hiking. In winter, the forest grooms over 50 miles of cross-country ski trails, including the Timberland Trail just outside town. Dispersed camping, berry picking, and foraging are permitted — check with the ranger station for current rules.
Wisconsin Concrete Park (Phillips, 23 miles south)
Folk artist Fred Smith built 237 concrete sculptures embellished with glass, ceramics, and stones at the Wisconsin Concrete Park in Phillips between 1948 and 1964, creating one of the Midwest’s most remarkable outsider art environments. The park is free, open year-round during daylight hours, and takes about an hour to walk through. Park Falls and Phillips are 23 miles apart on Highway 13, so combining both towns in a day trip is easy. The Price County Historical Museum in Phillips is also worth a stop.
Where to Eat in Park Falls
Park Falls has a handful of reliable local spots. Options are limited in a town of 2,300, but what’s here is real northwoods dining.
Park Falls Family Restaurant
1171 4th Ave S · (715) 762-2090
The go-to breakfast and lunch spot. Full menu: all-day breakfast, burgers, wraps, stir fry, salads, pizza. Daily specials. Open 7 AM–3 PM, seven days. $10–20 per person.
The Big Dipper
104 1st Ave S
Downtown bar and grill with burgers, sandwiches, and a relaxed northwoods vibe. Hosts live music and the new Augtoberfest outdoor festival. Open evenings — check their Facebook for hours and events.
Captain Nemo’s Pub & Grub
Park Falls
Local pub with casual food and weekend live music. Check social media for event listings.
For the classic northwoods dinner, the nearest supper club is in Fifield (8 miles south on Highway 13) — prime rib, fish fry, and a full bar.
Where to Stay in Park Falls
Park Falls has a small but adequate selection of motels and resorts. During fall hunting season and summer weekends, book early.
Northern Lights Inn
31-unit motel on Highway 13
The largest hotel in town: indoor pool, hot tub, restaurant, bar, free continental breakfast and WiFi. Direct trail access for ATV and snowmobile riders with trailer parking. ~$118/night. northernlightsinn.com
AmeriVu Inn & Suites
Highway 13
Budget-friendly 2-star hotel with free breakfast, free parking, fridge, and WiFi. Clean and reliable for hunters and road-trippers. ~$90–107/night.
Hilltop Lodging
6 motel units, 2 cottages, 3 efficiency units
Locally owned mix of motel rooms, cottages, and efficiency apartments. Kitchen access in cottages. Good for longer stays. Contact directly for rates.
For lakefront lodging, Idle Hour Resort and Wild Goose Resort offer cabin rentals with boat access near Park Falls. Wintergreen Lake Resort, a newly renovated 111-room property with restaurant and event space, opened recently. Airbnb and VRBO also list private cabins along the Flambeau River and on remote lakes.
Park Falls History
The story of Park Falls is the story of the northern Wisconsin paper industry and the Flambeau River.
Before 1876: Ojibwe people hunted, fished, and traveled the Flambeau River corridor for centuries. Government surveyors mapped the area in 1865, finding only hunters and trappers.
1876: Albert Lacqueoix and Fred Neadeaux established the first homesteads at Muskellunge Falls on the North Fork of the Flambeau.
1877: The Wisconsin Central Railway reached the area, and the first school opened in a log hut the same year.
1885: Lumber magnate Henry Sherry built the first band-saw mill in northern Wisconsin at the falls, cutting 100 million feet of pine over its lifetime.
1889: The post office opened. Because the pines near the falls looked like a park, Muskellunge Falls was renamed Park Falls.
1890–1898: Sherry began manufacturing pulp, and the operation was incorporated as the Flambeau Paper Company, producing its first paper in the late 1890s. The mill became the city’s economic backbone for over a century.
1901: Park Falls incorporated as a village with 750 residents.
1906: The last big stand of pine was cut and log drives ended, but the village kept growing on paper industry strength.
1912: Park Falls became a city with 2,000 residents.
2006: The Flambeau Paper Company declared bankruptcy and closed the 110-year-old mill, displacing hundreds of workers.
2006–present: The mill reopened as Flambeau River Papers, continuing through ownership changes and a 2019 receivership. Today, manufacturing, healthcare, the Forest Service, and tourism drive the local economy. The city has also invested in downtown renovation, including murals depicting the history of local businesses.
The Flambeau Paper Company Office Building, listed on the National Register of Historic Places, still stands as the most intact element of the original mill complex — a reminder that this city was built around paper production.
Getting to Park Falls
Park Falls sits on US Highway 13 in northern Price County. No interstate access — you drive two-lane roads to get here.
- From Eau Claire: ~90 miles north via US-53 and WI-73 (about 1 hour 45 minutes)
- From Wausau: ~85 miles northwest via WI-29 and US-13 (about 1 hour 45 minutes)
- From Minneapolis/St. Paul: ~170 miles northeast via I-35, US-53, and WI-73 (about 3 hours)
- From Green Bay: ~170 miles northwest via US-41 and WI-29 (about 3 hours)
- From Madison: ~230 miles north (about 3 hours 45 minutes)
The Park Falls Municipal Airport (NKF) has a 3,200-foot paved runway for small private aircraft. Nearest commercial airports: Central Wisconsin Airport (CWA) in Mosinee, 80 miles southeast, and Chippewa Valley Regional Airport (EAU) in Eau Claire, 90 miles south. Most visitors drive.
Park Falls Events
Park Falls keeps an active community calendar. The Park Falls Area Chamber of Commerce runs several events each year.
Flambeau Rama
Late July / Early August
The biggest event of the year. Three days of carnival rides, live music, a parade, classic car show, arts and crafts fair, and fireworks. Now in its 70s+ year. Book lodging early for this weekend.
Park Falls Farmers Market
Summer & Fall (weekly)
Local produce, baked goods, crafts, honey. Check the Chamber calendar for schedule.
Antique & Flea Market
Multiple dates, summer/fall
Regular event drawing dealers and shoppers from across the region.
DipperFest
Memorial Day Weekend
Kick-off to summer event at The Big Dipper with outdoor music, food, and drinks.
Community Garage & Sidewalk Sales
June
Town-wide garage sale with deals across Park Falls neighborhoods and downtown.
Evergreen 5K
Summer (annual road race)
Annual road race through Park Falls, open to all levels. Saturday morning.
For current dates and new events like Augtoberfest, check the Chamber event calendar or follow the Chamber on Facebook.
What’s Happening in Park Falls? 🌲
Connect with your neighbors. Join our group for local news, job postings, and community events in Park Falls.
See also: The Real History of Wisconsin’s Brandy Old Fashioned
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Park Falls, Wisconsin known for?
Park Falls is known as the “Ruffed Grouse Capital of the World” and sits along the Flambeau River in Price County. It is home to the Flambeau River Paper Mill, extensive ATV and snowmobile trail systems, and access to dozens of lakes for fishing and boating.
How far is Park Falls from Eau Claire?
Park Falls is approximately 115 miles north of Eau Claire, about a 2-hour drive via US Highway 53 and State Highway 13.
What are the best things to do in Park Falls WI?
Top activities include fishing on the Flambeau River and surrounding lakes, ATV and snowmobile riding on the Tuscobia State Trail, hiking at Flambeau River State Forest, visiting local restaurants and bars, and exploring downtown Park Falls.
Does Park Falls have good fishing?
Yes. Park Falls sits on the Flambeau River and is surrounded by lakes with excellent walleye, musky, bass, and panfish fishing. The Flambeau River is one of Wisconsin’s top musky rivers.