Forts Folle Avoine Historical Park is a living history park where the folks there live the 1802 fur trade of the Wisconsin Territory. You can even sample 1802 cuisine. Wild rice soup is featured. I'm told that "folle avoine" is "wild rice" in French. And it was the French that had a booming fur trade business in this area in the early 1800's. On the way there, you may recognize other places named by French fur traders.
Leaving the Forts, you can take an interesting side trip into Danbury. The ride through the Wisconsin forest and plainlands is worth the extra time. From the Forts, turn right on County U. Go a short distance to County FF. Turn right. This road becomes County F. Continue north. The road will make a sharp right. You are now going east. Enjoy the ride. Not many years ago, the best highways around were rolling and scenic like this one. County F ends on State 77. Turn right. You are entering Danbury.
We had lunch at Homestead Cafe & Bakery. Their gift store is attached.
Continuing through Danbury, you'll find Log Cabin Store & Eatery at the intersection of State highways 77 and 35. This is worth the stop to see a wide variety of gifts, sporting goods, clothing and other items.
From Rainbow's End Resort, take US Highway 53 to state 70 at Spooner. Go west to state 35 and turn right (north). Turn west onto County Road U from WI Highway 35 between Webster and Danbury. The Folle park entrance is 2 1/2 miles from the 35/U, intersection.
This is about and hour and 45 minute drive one-way, so you might want to stop off in Spooner on the way. Or stop at Danbury for lunch or a snack.
There are several options for returning to you Base Camp in Chetek, Rainbow's End Resort. Pick the best for the time available and what you'd like to see. Each route gives you a different view of rural northwest Wisconsin. You're travelling through land that was etched by glaciers that left behind hills, lake, and streams. Much more recent settlers provided the roads!
To get started back from the Forts, turn left at the Forts exit on County U. Take U to State 35 and turn right (south). From Danbury, take State 35 south. From there, you have choices:
The slow scenic route takes you on meandering county roads through wooded lake land. Get a map from the Resort office, just in case. The Log Cabin in Danbury usually has tourist maps of the area with more detail. Going south on State 35, before you get to Webster, turn left on County A. Follow A for several miles to County H. Turn right (south). County H continues meandering to State 70. At this point, you can take the quick route by turning left on 70 to Spooner, then US 53 to Chetek, or you can continue on County H, which stops meandering and becomes a fairly straight rural road all the way to Cumberland. From Cumberland, take State 48 east to US 53 south to Chetek.
A more direct route is to continue south on State 35 to State 70. Turn left (east) and go to Spooner (see our Spooner page for other stops). Then take US 53 south to Chetek.
If you want to follow county roads, but don't want to meander through the lake country, take State 35 south through Webster to State 70. Turn left (east). Watch for County H before you get to the Washburn county line. Turn right on County H (south). This part of H is straight but hilly. It's a nice scenic drive usually with very little traffic. But watch out for farm machinery, especially when cresting hills. When you get to the four-way stop in Cumberland, turn left on State 48. Take 48 to US 53 south, then to Chetek.
Have fun on your outing from Base Camp Chetek at Rainbow's End Resort!
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