A waterfront in Eau Claire greets visitors with an impressive sight. A huge statue of Paul Bunyan and his sidekick Babe the Blue Ox call a city park home, as they have for decades. It’s just one of the attractions in Carson Park and it’s a photo-worthy reason to pay this little park a visit. Get your camera and walking shoes – here’s what’s waiting for you in Carson Park.

Carson Park, the home of Paul Bunyan, is located on the west side of Eau Claire. If you’re up for a longer stroll, you can walk here from the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire or downtown Eau Claire.

Tripadvisor / Jilly 070

The park covers 134 acres and it traces the shore of Half Moon Lake, an oxbow lake that is the former course of the Chippewa River.

Tripadvisor / Jilly 070

The park’s history is connected to the region’s logging heritage. The land was donated to the city in 1914 by heirs of the lumber baron William Carson, and the park was named in his honor. But that’s just part of this park’s logging story.

Tripadvisor / Kanbaatar

A Paul Bunyan Logging Camp Museum opened in the park in 1934. It details Eau Claire’s lumbering history and it contains seven authentic logging camp buildings. The complex includes Paul Bunyan Camp, a recreated 1890s logging camp.

Tripadvisor / Kanbaatar

Paul Bunyan didn’t actually arrive in the park until 1983. He was installed in front of the logging museum to greet visitors and he originally stood about 10 feet tall.

Tripadvisor / Larry M

But vandals struck in 2002 and knocked Paul down, seriously damaging the statue. In 2003 a new Paul Bunyan was installed and this one was bigger and better than the last.

Tripadvisor / John V He now stands 13 feet tall and is crafted from wood that’s been covered with polystyrene. Say hello to Paul before touring the museum or taking in the park’s scenic and historic beauty.

The Wisconsin Logging Museum is open seasonally, Thursday-Sunday, but Carson Park is open year-round. For more information about the museum, visit its website. While Wisconsin isn’t the largest state in the Union, it has some of the largest and most unusual statues around – you’ll find many of them right at the side of the road.

Tripadvisor / Jilly 070

Tripadvisor / Kanbaatar

Tripadvisor / Larry M

Tripadvisor / John V

He now stands 13 feet tall and is crafted from wood that’s been covered with polystyrene. Say hello to Paul before touring the museum or taking in the park’s scenic and historic beauty.

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Address: Carson Park, 100 Carson Park Dr, Eau Claire, WI 54703, USA