Brunet Island

Brunet Island State Park encompasses 1,325 acres of serene natural beauty where the Chippewa and Fisher rivers meet in Chippewa County, Wisconsin. The park features a 169-acre island in the Chippewa River that forms its heart, surrounded by quiet lagoons, forested shores, and diverse wildlife habitats. Named after Jean Brunet, a French immigrant who played a pivotal role in opening the upper Chippewa River to logging in the early 1800s, the park preserves both natural heritage and the legacy of Wisconsin's lumber era. The island and surrounding mainland offer exceptional opportunities for camping, hiking, fishing, canoeing, and wildlife observation in a setting shaped by the last Ice Age. Mature eastern hemlock forests, scenic river views, and abundant wildlife including bald eagles and osprey make Brunet Island a beloved destination for families and nature enthusiasts seeking tranquility in Wisconsin's Northwoods.

Brunet Island State Park supports rich wildlife populations within its diverse habitats of hemlock forest, wetlands, and riparian corridors. Bald eagles and osprey soar over the park, hunting the productive waters of the Chippewa and Fisher rivers where fish populations thrive. Great blue herons wade the quiet lagoons and backwaters, while kingfishers dive for prey along the shorelines. The park is noted for its numerous white-tailed deer, often visible along trails and forest edges. Beaver, river otter, and mink frequent the waterways, while smaller mammals inhabit the forest floor. The wetlands along the Fisher River host diverse bird communities including hermit thrushes, yellow-rumped warblers, common yellowthroats, Nashville warblers, white-throated sparrows, and northern parula warblers. Various woodpecker species work the hemlock and hardwood forests. The quiet lagoons and channels provide excellent opportunities for wildlife observation by canoe or kayak.

Brunet Island State Park boasts diverse plant communities highlighted by stands of magnificent eastern hemlock trees that create a cathedral-like atmosphere in the forest interior. These ancient conifers, some reaching considerable age and size, represent an increasingly rare forest type in Wisconsin. Unfortunately, the hemlock forests face pressure from deer browsing, with overpopulated deer eating most young hemlocks before they can mature. The park has initiated restoration efforts, establishing small fenced exclosures where native plants, ferns, and young hemlocks can thrive without deer pressure. The park's vegetation also includes northern hardwoods such as sugar maple, yellow birch, and basswood, along with white pine and red pine stands. Ferns, lichens, and mosses carpet the forest floor, while wildflowers bloom in spring before the canopy fully leafs out. Riparian vegetation along the rivers and lagoons provides important wildlife habitat.

Brunet Island State Park occupies a landscape sculpted by the last Ice Age, when continental glaciers shaped the rolling terrain and river valleys visible today. The island itself formed through the complex interplay of river dynamics and glacial deposits, with the Chippewa River gradually creating its braided channel system through sediments left by retreating glaciers. The underlying geology consists of glacial till and outwash deposits overlying ancient Precambrian bedrock. The quiet lagoons and channels that characterize the park resulted from the river's meandering course through these glacial materials over thousands of years. Sandy beaches along the riverfront provide evidence of ongoing sediment transport and deposition. The park's varied topography, from low-lying wetlands to forested uplands, reflects the diverse glacial deposits that blanket the region. Understanding this glacial legacy helps visitors appreciate how the natural landscape continues to evolve through the dynamic processes of erosion and deposition.

Brunet Island State Park experiences a humid continental climate characteristic of northwestern Wisconsin, with cold, snowy winters and warm, humid summers. Winter temperatures regularly drop below zero degrees Fahrenheit, with substantial snowfall creating opportunities for cross-country skiing and snowshoeing on the park's trail system. Spring arrives gradually, with ice-out on the rivers typically occurring in April and wildflowers blooming through May. Summer brings comfortable temperatures with average highs in the upper 70s to low 80s Fahrenheit, ideal for camping, hiking, and paddling the quiet waters. Afternoon thunderstorms occasionally develop during summer months. Fall foliage peaks in late September to early October, when the hardwood forests display spectacular colors reflected in the calm lagoon waters. Annual precipitation averages approximately 32 inches, supporting the lush forest and wetland vegetation. The proximity to the rivers moderates temperature extremes somewhat compared to surrounding uplands.

The upper Chippewa River region has attracted human activity for thousands of years, with Native American peoples utilizing the river for travel, fishing, and access to hunting grounds. The park's namesake, Jean Brunet (1791-1877), was an upper-class French immigrant who became instrumental in opening this region to logging and settlement. Brunet arrived in Chippewa Falls in 1828 to oversee construction of the first dam and sawmill on the Chippewa River. His pioneer spirit drove him farther north along the river, where he built a log structure serving as home, trading post, supply depot, and meeting place for travelers. The city of Cornell was originally called Brunet Falls in his honor. His timber cruising and scouting activities helped establish the logging industry that would transform the region's forests over the following decades. The island that now bears his name served various purposes during the logging era.

Brunet Island State Park's development reflects both Depression-era conservation efforts and ongoing commitment to preserving Wisconsin's natural heritage. The Civilian Conservation Corps played a crucial role in developing the park, constructing a log shelter in 1938 that remains a historic feature today. The park officially opened two years later in 1940, providing public access to this scenic island and surrounding forests. Unfortunately, a 1977 tornado devastated an 18-acre plot of hemlock trees in the center of the island, with birch trees subsequently regenerating in areas once home to towering hemlocks. The park has evolved to offer improved camping facilities, expanded trail networks, and enhanced interpretive programs while maintaining its natural character. Recent conservation efforts have focused on hemlock forest restoration, with fenced exclosures protecting young trees from deer browsing. The park continues to honor Jean Brunet's legacy while providing recreational opportunities for future generations.

Brunet Island State Park offers 8 miles of hiking trails and 5 miles of cross-country ski trails through varied forest habitats. The Jean Brunet Nature Trail, a self-guided 0.8-mile interpretive walk, describes the history and natural features of the area, demonstrating the incredible variety found within this compact landscape. Popular summer trails include the Timber and Pine Trail Loop, Spruce and Timber Trail Loop, and the Brunet Island Park Loop. The Ice Age Trail Chippewa River Segment passes through the area, connecting to the larger statewide trail system. The quiet lagoons and channels provide exceptional canoeing and kayaking opportunities, perfect for wildlife observation and peaceful paddling. The Chippewa River frontage offers fishing for bass, walleye, and panfish. Swimming is available along sandy beach areas. The historic CCC-era log shelter and scenic river overlooks provide focal points for day visitors. Birding opportunities are excellent, with bald eagles and osprey frequently observed hunting the waters.

Brunet Island State Park provides comfortable camping facilities in two family campgrounds. The South Campground offers 24 electric sites nestled in a hardwood and pine forest setting. The North Campground features 45 non-electric campsites in pine and hardwood forest, with many sites offering waterfront locations on either the Chippewa River or scenic lagoon bays. Each site includes a picnic table and fire ring, with toilet facilities and water fountains conveniently located throughout. Modern shower facilities serve campers. A boat launch provides access to the Chippewa River for fishing and paddling adventures. Picnic areas accommodate day visitors. The park is located just north of Cornell in Chippewa County, accessible via State Highway 27 and County Highway S. Cornell offers basic services, with full amenities available in Chippewa Falls approximately 20 miles away. State park vehicle admission stickers are required. The park operates seasonally, typically from May through October.

Conservation at Brunet Island State Park focuses on protecting and restoring the ecological integrity of the island's distinctive hemlock forest and diverse wetland habitats. The hemlock regeneration project addresses the critical threat posed by deer overbrowsing, which has prevented young hemlock trees from maturing for decades. Small fenced exclosures demonstrate the remarkable recovery possible when deer browsing pressure is removed, with native plants, ferns, and young hemlocks thriving within protected areas. The park manages invasive species that threaten native plant communities and maintains water quality in the Chippewa and Fisher rivers. Wildlife monitoring tracks populations of significant species including bald eagles, osprey, and songbirds. Sustainable trail maintenance minimizes erosion and protects sensitive areas. Interpretive programs educate visitors about forest ecology and the challenges facing Wisconsin's remaining old-growth hemlock stands. The park's conservation efforts contribute to regional initiatives protecting the northern forest ecosystem and its wildlife.