3/26/2025

MELLEN - Those who visit Mellen and Copper Falls State Park are sure to be delighted by the scenic rock formations, waterfalls and river gorges, and now the park has another feature to offer. Former Park superintendent Kent Goeckermann had always recognized the need for a reservable facility for park goes, but over his 30-year tenure, tight budgets always pushed that project to the end of the list. The concession building in the park has a pavilion and is well visited by parkgoers but cannot be reserved. In the early 2000’s, the Friends of Copper Falls State Park was organized, with the goal of building another pavilion. in 2021, a funding through the Knowles-Nelson Stewardship Grant through the Wisconsin DNR was awarded and the project started to take shape. The Friend also took over running the gift and concession shop with all the profit going toward the pavilion fund and launched fundraising efforts. The project was finished and dedicated this past Fall and now reservations can be made for a $55 fee for the pavilion.