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The Kinnickinnic River Land Trust Preserves are open to the public, all are welcome to use and enjoy the beauty of these natural spaces. They are free to use, but please consider making a donation to help offset the costs of maintaining the preserves. Ongoing management includes invasive species removal, native restoration projects, annual trail maintenance, and improvements and repairs to infrastructure.
COMMUNITY FOREST
40-acre, of forest in the lower river canyon downstream of the City of River Falls. The preserve contains 1,500 feet of river frontage and includes the Rocky Branch tributary. The Community Forest was purchased in 2021 in partnership with multiple organizations, foundations, KRLT membership, and community members. It is a true success story of the strength of working together to protect important natural areas within the watershed. The purchase of The Community Forest helped to provide access to The School Forest, owned by the River Falls School District, which is now open for outdoor education.
COMMUNITY FOREST
DREWISKE FAMILY PRESERVE
A favorite for fly fishing, this preserve consists of 46 acres and includes access to the Kinnickinnic River in the beautiful lower canyon. When visiting, you will experience a hardwood forest, prairie restoration site, bluffs and rock outcroppings, and spectacular scenery. Planning a visit? Some of the trails at this preserve have steep inclines. Sections of the trail system connect directly to the Kinnickinnic River, and resting benches are located in the portion of the trail closer to the river.
DREWISKE FAMILY
HEADWATERS PRESERVE
This is where the Kinni really starts moving! 48-acre that includes the headwaters of the Kinnickinnic River. The preserve is bordered on the south by the Wisconsin DNR Headwaters Fish and Wildlife Area. Currently, this preserve is in the process of a major restoration project to restore the area to prairie and oak savannas. We look forward to sharing the progress with you!
Due to the restoration project, visiting this preserve might look different from our other preserve. There is currently no defined trail system, so please be aware of the preserve boundary markers and be respectful of the neighboring properties.
HEADWATERS
Due to a planned logging project, the Headwaters Preserve is currently not in the condition shown above.
KELLY CREEK
Walk the trails through a beautifully restored prairie and woodland area. It is home to Kelly Creek, a special tributary of the upper Kinnickinnic River. It rises from springs under a picturesque limestone outcropping and pumps out more than 700,000 gallons of cold water per day, helping sustain the cool temperatures vital for naturally reproducing Brown and Brook Trout. The creek meets the main branch of the Kinnickinnic River near County Road J in the Town of Kinnickinnic.
KELLY CREEK
THANK YOU!
Thank you River Falls State Bank for supporting the stewardship
of the Kinnickinnic River Land Trust Nature Preserves!
