Wilke Glen and Cascade Falls Enchant in Osceola, Wisconsin

 

Serenity in Osceola, Wisconsin Discovering Cascade Falls, Wilke Glen, and the St. Croix River

Descending down wooden stairs from the charming town of Osceola, Wisconsin, we would soon find ourselves captivated by the rush of a 25-foot waterfall. The scene truly took on a magical vibe as the sun illuminated sculpted rock and the varied greens and yellows of the trees. Spectacular!

Sunlight magically highlights rock formations and leaves framing Cascade Falls.

Cascade Falls Glistens While Unfurling Over a Cliff

Inside Wilke Glen, Osceola Creek tumbles down a cliffside before meandering to the St. Croix River. The falls form a bit of a sheer, glistening curtain unfurling over the rock edge. While we could hear the falls while descending down the stairs, we still felt great awe once the cascade came into view.

Neat peek from the side of Cascade Falls.

A boardwalk with wooden overlooks allows visitors to have a splendid view of the falls. Additionally, visitors can walk closer to the falls. In fact, we discovered a couple of picnic tables right near the foot of the falls. Oddly, we did not feel the mist close to falls. Rather, we felt it only while standing on one portion of the boardwalk. Neat!

Hiking Rocky Trails and Boardwalks to the St. Croix River

After a nice pause at the falls, we embarked on a blended trail composed of boardwalk and rocky terrain. Different trail offshoots offered a variety of views. We enjoyed taking in different peeks at Osceola Creek bubbling toward the St. Croix River.

Osceola Creek bubbles towards the St. Croix River.

Eventually, we reached the St. Croix River. Families enjoyed exploring the rocky shoreline and fishing. We stood on a bit of a pier for an overlook. Here you could continue on the Eagle Bluff Trail up to the crest of the bluff for a fantastic view. During our visit, it was particularly hot so we did not make it to the top and would like to return to experience the view.

The St. Croix River added quiet tranquility to our meander.

Discovered in 1884, Cascade Falls has long been an important part of life in Osceola. In recent years, the town has begun lighting up the falls in the evening. The darling town of Osceola is worthy of exploration of its small businesses and eateries. Such a nice little spot for a visit!

A path into the woods of Wilke Glen.

We visited Cascade Falls and Wilke Glen on a long weekend trip to the Minneapolis-Saint Paul area. The drive from Minneapolis is a little over an hour and really worth the adventure. Osceola is not too far from Stillwater, Minnesota, and Hudson, Wisconsin which both offer more nature experiences including Hudson's Willow Falls.

Cascade falls truly is a treasure! We would love to see the falls framed by other seasons including fall colors and decorated with ice formations. When visiting Cascade Falls, plan to take some time to really pause and enjoy this beautiful creation.  You will definitely feel a sense of awe and amazement!