Brunet Island State Park

Brunet Island State Park occupies a 169-acre island at the confluence of the Chippewa and Fisher Rivers and extends onto the east bank, with landscapes shaped by glacial history and river processes. It is known for mature eastern hemlocks and abundant white-tailed deer, whose browsing has influenced forest succession, leading to fenced plots that protect young trees. A 1977 tornado flattened 18 acres, later regenerating with birch. The park honors Jean Brunet, an early French immigrant who helped open the upper Chippewa to development through dam and sawmill construction and later public service. Donated to Wisconsin in 1936, it opened in 1940 and remains a popular riverside recreation area.

Estella, Wisconsin · United States