13 Best Things to Do in Wild Rose Wisconsin in 2024 From A Local

Ready to find some fun things to do in Wild Rose, Wisconsin?

You’ve come to the right place because as a local in Wisconsin, I have visited Wild Rose several times over the years and know all of the best things to do in the area.

In fact, Wild Rose is one of my favorite destinations for skiing in the winter and spending time out on the lakes in the summer. Based on my experience, I’ve created this list of all the best things to do in Wild Rose Wisconsin, including both winter and summer activities.

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Things to Do in Wild Rose Wisconsin

Wild Rose is a small town in Wisconsin, but there are plenty of things to do here. Below you will find the 13 best things to do in Wild Rose Wisconsin to help you plan your next trip.

1. Go Downhill Skiing at Nordic Mountain Ski Resort

PRICE: $70 per person | BEST FOR: Families & Couples

Nordic Mountian Ski Resort is a popular place in Wisconsin for downhill skiing, snowboarding, and tubing. The ski resort is only a 15-minute drive from Wild Rose, so it is a perfect winter activity and one of the best things to do in Wild Rose Wisconsin.

Nordic Mountain consists of over 60 acres. It has several different ski runs and terrain parks, including beginner, intermediate, and advanced ski hills. There is also a tubing hill, which is a ton of fun, especially for kids.

For those who are new to downhill skiing, there are ski lessons available on-site with expert instructors. The lessons are aimed at starting you off slow and working towards improving your skills before trying the bigger slopes.

aerial view of the ski hill at Nordic Mountain. Multiple trails can be seen going down the hill and meeting at the chalet at the bottom
Photo courtesy of Nordic Mountain

Nordic Mountain Ski Resort is typically open from the beginning of December until the end of February, depending on weather conditions.

To visit you will need to purchase a ski pass. There are several pass options available, including day passes, evening ski passes, 6-hour passes, and season passes. A day pass purchased on-site typically costs $70 per adult. You can also rent all the necessary ski equipment from the resort.

2. Have a Beach Day at Little Silver Lake Resort

PRICE: $3 per person | BEST FOR: Families & Couples

Little Silver Lake Resort is the perfect place for a beach day near Wild Rose. Little Silver Lake is a calm, yet beautiful lake with crystal clear waters. It’s a great spot for swimming, kayaking, or paddleboarding.

Little Silver Lake Resort offers a private, sandy beach. However, the public can visit this private beach from Monday through Friday for an admission cost of $3 per person. You can also get a season summer pass which allows you to visit any day of the week.

There is plenty to do here for the whole family, from building sand castles to relaxing in the sun with a good book.

3. Visit the Wild Rose Fish Hatchery

PRICE: Varies | BEST FOR: Families

The Wild Rose Fish Hatchery has been working to restore fish populations throughout
Wisconsin for over a century. In Wild Rose, you will find the Fish Hatchery Education Center, which is a great place to visit for those interested in wildlife and fishing.

aerial view of wild rose fish hatchery. six blue pools, grouped in two sets of three, can be seen surrounded by green grass
USFWSmidwest, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

At the Education Center, you can visit interactive exhibits and displays, two large aquariums, and activities that show the story of a fish hatchery in Wisconsin.

There are also guided tours that show the hatchery production from the coldwater observation room and then will take you for a walk through the historic village where Wild Rose first began.

The Education Center is open during the summer on Wednesday-Saturday from 8 am to 3 pm. In the spring and fall it is open on Friday and Saturday.

4. Go Fishing

PRICE: Free | BEST FOR: Families & Couples

Wild Rose is located near many Class A Trout streams, which makes it a great place to go
fishing. There are also many pan fish that can be caught in the Wild Rose Mill Pond, which is just steps away from the main street of the village.

Other options for fishing include the surrounding lakes, which offer a variety of fish species that can be caught year-round. Some good fishing lakes include Morris Lake, Round Lake, Kusel Lake, Big Hills Lake, and more.

Fishing in Wisconsin does require a license, which can be purchased in Wild Rose at Lauritzens Sports or Mr. Ed’s Place.

5. Try Cross-Country Skiing at Kusel Lake County Park

PRICE: Free | BEST FOR: Families & Couples

Cross-country skiing is a fun winter activity near Wild Rose, and there are several great
cross-country ski trails in Waushara County. However, one of the best cross-country ski trails is located in Kusel Lake County Park.

The cross-country ski trails are well groomed, making it easy for skiing and snowshoeing. The terrain is also mostly flat or small hills, which makes these ski trails ideal for beginner and intermediate cross-country skiers.

Last but not least, the 90-acre park is very picturesque and is surrounded by tall pine trees which look stunning after a fresh snowfall.

two people cross country skiing along a snow-covered trail surrounded by pine trees with a dusting of snow

6. Take a Boat Cruise on Chain O Lakes

PRICE: $17 per person | BEST FOR: Families & Couples

Just north of Wild Rose is Chain O Lakes, which offers a fun 1.5-hour public boat cruise during the summer months. The scenery on the cruise is beautiful, and it’s a great way to experience Wisconsin’s lakes.

For the public cruise, you’ll board either the Chief Waupaca Sternwheeler or the Lady of the Lakes Motor Yacht. After setting sail, you get to enjoy a narrated tour while you explore a chain of 8 lakes.

The boat cruise departs from Clear Water Harbor Waterfront Restaurant & Bar. This is also a great place to get dinner after your cruise, and it has a fun, family-friendly atmosphere.

The restaurant has an outdoor patio that is right on the lake and offers beautiful views. The menu also has something for everyone with steakburgers, homemade pizza, freshly made salads, and a wide variety of seafood available.

7. Attend Wild Rose Days

PRICE: Free | BEST FOR: Families & Couples

Wild Rose Days is a weekend-long event held each July to get the community together and to celebrate the small town of Wild Rose, Wisconsin.

There are several different activities during the Wild Rose Days event, including a parade,
pancake breakfast, a cornhole tournament, carnival games, kid’s activities, and more. Plus,
there are plenty of food and craft vendors, and live music each night.

One of the highlights of the event is the spectacular fireworks display, which takes place over Wild Rose Mill Pond.

This is a great family-friendly event that has many different activities and is worth checking out if you are visiting Wild Rose in July.

8. Take a Walk Around Roberts Park

PRICE: Free | BEST FOR: Families & Couples

Roberts Park is a public park located in Wild Rose, along the Wild Rose Pond. The park is very peaceful and is a nice place to spend an afternoon, especially on a warm day.

There is a walking path through the park, which makes it ideal for a walk outdoors. The area also attracts a variety of birds and wildlife. In the spring and summer, you may find wildflowers and other greenery around the park.

On the northeastern end of the park, you will see the historic Wild Rose Milling Company Mill. The Wild Rose Mill was first built in 1873 and is a historic landmark of the town. Currently, it isn’t open to the public but is still worth seeing from the outside as it is reminiscent of the history of Wild Rose.

9. Play a Round of Mini Golf at Roseville Mini Golf

PRICE: Varies | BEST FOR: Families & Couples

Mini Golf is a fun activity for everyone, whether you are visiting Wild Rose as a family, as a
couple, or with friends.

Playing a round of mini golf is an affordable, yet entertaining option and Roseville Mini Golf is a perfect place to visit while visiting Wild Rose, WI.

The best part is that Roseville Mini Golf also has an ice cream shop on-site, so make sure to grab some delicious ice cream while there!

10. Wild Rose Classic Car Show

PRICE: Free | BEST FOR: Families & Couples

Each year, Wild Rose hosts a Classic Car Show that attracts visitors from all over the state.

The weekend-long event includes several fun attractions, starting with a classic car cruise on Friday. On Saturday, the main event is the classic car competition which selects winners for several different classic car categories. Throughout the weekend there is also live music, games, and plenty of food options. It is a great outdoor event for the whole family.

The dates for the car show vary each year, but the event is typically held in September.

11. Try a Watersport

PRICE: Varies | BEST FOR: Families & Couples

One of the best things to do in Wild Rose during the summer is to try a watersport. Popular
watersports include kayaking, canoeing, jet-skiing, water-skiing, tubing, and paddle boarding.

There are several different lakes nearby Wild Rose, which makes it an ideal place to visit to try a watersport activity. Some of the most popular lakes for watersports include Lake Napowan, Big Hills Lake, Round Lake, and more.

Just north of Wild Rose, you will also find Crystal River, which is a popular place to go tubing or kayaking. If you don’t have a kayak or tube you can opt to take one of Pliska’s Crystal River Tubing trips.

12. Go Hiking at Mt. Morris Hills County Park

PRICE: Free | BEST FOR: Families & Couples

Mt. Morris Hills County Park is located just a 15-minute drive south of Wild Rose, Wisconsin. The county park has some scenic hiking trails that are perfect for enjoying some fresh air while being surrounded by the natural beauty of Wisconsin.

The best time to go hiking here is in the fall season, as the fall foliage makes the area quite
pretty.

The trails are dog-friendly and there are also several good picnic spots. There is also a
playground on-site which is perfect if you are visiting with kids.

13. Go Shopping on Main Street for Antiques

PRICE: Varies | BEST FOR: Couples

On the main street in Wild Rose, you will find Whistler’s Vintage Mall. This place is filled with unique antiques that span several different eras. It is a fun place to visit on a weekend
afternoon, and can also be a good option for a rainy day activity.

If you aren’t into antiques, you may want to check out some of the other local shops like
Lauritzen Sports or Russell’s Farm Market.

There are also some good restaurants on the main street, including Pioneer Pub and Grub,
Sluggers Sports Grill, and Kelley T’s family restaurant.

wild rose mercantile building in downtown wild rose wisconsin
Jonathunder, GFDL 1.2, via Wikimedia Commons

Is Wild Rose Wisconsin Worth Visiting?

Wild Rose, Wisconsin is worth visiting. The charming small town is surrounded by nature and beautiful lakes. It is a perfect place to visit for those interested in fishing as there is the Wild Rose Fish Hatchery as well as several great fishing locations. The town is also near Nordic Ski Resort, making it an ideal place to stay for a winter ski trip.


How Many Days in Wild Rose Wisconsin?

Wild Rose Wisconsin is the perfect place to spend a long weekend. The village is small in size, but there is plenty to do for a weekend trip.

In the summer you can spend the weekend outdoors, enjoying one of the surrounding lakes while in the winter it is a great place to go skiing or snowboarding for the weekend.

However, if you have more time you could easily spend a week here. Especially during the
summer months when you can rent a lakefront cabin and spend the week relaxing and enjoying spending time outdoors.


Best Time to Visit Wild Rose Wisconsin

Wild Rose can be visited year-round. During the winter months, it is a popular ski destination as there is the Nordic Mountain Ski Resort which has downhill skiing, snowboarding, and tubing available. There are also plenty of snowmobiling, snowshoeing, and cross-country ski trails nearby.

In the summer, Wild Rose is a great place to visit to spend time outdoors or at one of the lakes. Most events, such as the Wild Rose Days also take place in the summertime.

Spring and fall are also nice times to visit Wild Rose. In the spring, the greenery starts to appear and flowers begin to bloom, while in the fall the tree leaves turn beautiful shades of orange, red, and yellow.

red, orange and yellow trees at the edge of a field in wild rose wisconsin

Where to Stay in Wild Rose Wisconsin

Since Wild Rose is surrounded by Wisconsin’s natural beauty, the best place to stay is in a
cabin rental where you can experience the outdoors easily. Below are a few of the highest-rated and best cabins to stay at during your trip to Wild Rose, Wisconsin.

Lovely Cottage on Trout Stream

This quaint cottage is located right on the Pine River, making it ideal for Trout fishing. It is also close to many other attractions near Wild Rose, including hiking trails, lakes, and ski trails.

The cottage can be rented year-round and sleeps up to 8 people. Amenities include a covered porch, an outdoor fire pit, and a barbeque grill.

Waterfront Getaway Cabin

This lakefront cabin is perfect for a summer getaway near Wild Rose, Wisconsin. It is located directly on the all-sports Lake Morris.

The 3-bedroom cabin can sleep up to 6 people. The inside is spacious with everything needed for a comfortable stay.

However, the best part is it’s outside, where you will find a large outdoor deck, a small sandy beach, and a dock where you can launch a kayak or canoe.

Spacious Log Cabin

Located off the shores of crystal clear Kusel Lake, this is a beautiful cabin to stay at. It’s a great option for those traveling with family or friends as it sleeps up to 12 people.

The log cabin has a rustic decor style, with comfortable furniture. In the living room, there is a beautiful stone fireplace that is perfect for a relaxing night in.

Other amenities include a screened-in porch, outdoor firepit, and lake access with a private dock. The rental also includes the use of kayaks, a paddleboard, and a rowboat.


FAQ: Things to Do in Wild Rose Wisconsin

How big is Wild Rose Wisconsin?

Wild Rose is a small village located in Waushara County, Wisconsin. It has a total area size of 1.479 square miles. The population as of 2021 was only 791 people. However, even with its small size, there are still plenty of things to do in and around Wild Rose.

What is the zip code for Wild Rose Wisconsin?

The zip code for Wild Rose, Wisconsin is 54984. Other surrounding zip codes are Wautoma – 54982, Appleton – 54911, and Wausau – 54401.

What is there to do in the Northwoods in Wisconsin?

The best thing to do in the Northwoods in Wisconsin is to enjoy the outdoors. Some of the popular outdoor activities include skiing, snowboarding, camping, kayaking, swimming, hiking, biking, and more.

Conclusion: Things to Do in Wild Rose Wisconsin

There are many things to do in Wild Rose Wisconsin, especially when it comes to outdoor
activities like hiking the local trails, swimming in the beautiful lakes, or going skiing. The amount of things to do makes it a great destination for a couples or family trip to enjoy the natural beauty of Wisconsin.

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