The hiking trails at Nelson Dewey State Park combine to make a 2.3 mile easy to moderate double loop. These include: Mound Point Trail, Oakwood Trail, Dewey Heights Prairie Trail, and Cedar Point Trail. All are laid out in linear lengths on top of a bluff with commanding views of the Mississippi River.
You'll walk through hardwood forest most of the way. A few brief climbs on the narrow single track Mound Point trail add difficulty to the loops. The Oakwood trail is a wide two track that is fully wheelchair accessible and paved for the portion from Mound Point to the family campgrounds. The complete double loop makes for excellent walking, hiking, and trail running.
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| The Mound Point Trail Overlooking the Mississippi Valley at Nelson Dewey State Park |
Nelson Dewey State Park is the former estate home of Wisconsin's first Governor, Nelson Dewey. In addition to being a gorgeous state park perched on a rocky bluff overlooking the Mississippi River, it is a State Historical Site. You can tour the Nelson Dewey Home which stands on the State Park property, or you can head across the street to Stonefield Historical Center where you'll find a recreated 19th century village and the State Agriculture Museum.
On top the bluff the air is good. breezes on the bluff keep even the hottest days cool and clear of biting river gnats. Views from overlooks and campgrounds are extraordinary. Hiking along the State Park trails will bring you to all of the overlooks - each one more photogenic than the next.
The Mound Point Trail releases at the walk-in campgrounds and you'll have to walk on campground roads to connect to the Oakwood Trail. The Oakwood trail is paved from the family campground to Mound Point. It tramps along the ridge on the backside of the bluff through a young hardwood forest.
Past the main overlook the trail returns The Mississippi side. The Dewey Heights Prairie State Natural Area trail is the best hiking on this double loop. You'll be out in the open among prairie flowers and wild grasses. Views from this trail include the Stonefield Village below and the village of Cassville.
After the Prairie trail walk to the picnic area at the end of the road and you'll find the Cedar Point trail. Indeed, there is one lone cedar tree at the point along this trail. There are three overlooks on this short and easy loop.
If you are spending the night in the park - make sure to reserve walk-in site D. It's my favorite in the park - but the other walk-in sites have very good views of the Mississippi River as well. The drive-in sites do not have views of the valley.
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| Along the Mound Point Trail at Nelson Dewey State Park in Cassville WI |
Overview: Nelson Dewey State Park Trails
Including: Mound Point Trail, Oak Leaf Trail,
COUNTY: Grant
COMMUNITIES: Cassville
TOTAL MILES: 2.3 Double Loop
DIFFICULTY: Easy to Moderate
POINTS OF INTEREST: Mississippi River, Dewey Heights Prairie State Natural Area
Directions and Trail Map
If viewing on a mobile device, open the trail map above to load into Google Maps App by touching the expand rectangle in the upper right corner
Address for your GPS: 12096 Co Hwy Vv Cassville, WI 53806
| coordinates: 42.731633, -91.017558 |
| From Milwaukee | 3 Hours |
| From Madison | 2 Hours |
| From Green Bay | 4 Hours |
| From Wausau | 4 Hours |
| From Minneapolis | 4 Hours |
| From Chicago | 4 Hours |
Photos
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| Along the Mound Point Trail at Nelson Dewey State Park in Cassville WI |
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| Along the Mound Point Trail at Nelson Dewey State Park in Cassville WI |
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| Mound Point Trail at Nelson Dewey State Park in Cassville WI |
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| Cedar Point Trail at Nelson Dewey State Park |
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| Dewey Heights Prairie Trail at Nelson Dewey State Park |
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| View of Stonefield Historic Site from Nelson Dewey State Park |
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| Walk-In site A at Nelson Dewey State Park Cassville WI |