During the last ice age 15,000 years ago the Chippewa Lobe of the Wisconsin glaciation ended just six miles (10 km) northeast of the park.

When the glaciers melted 10,000 years ago, rock debris settled in a 12-mile (19 km) wide outwash plain where the park is today.

It has been estimated that the Chippewa River Valley once contained one-sixth of the United States' white pine stands.

Lake Wissota State Park lies in the transition zone between prairie and temperate forest.

Greatly disrupted by decades of logging and farming, these vegetative communities are healthy again after extensive restoration ecology efforts.

There are demonstration shoreline restoration projects near the swimming beach to educate homeowners about improving their lake frontage.

Game fish in Lake Wissota include walleye, muskies, bass, panfish, northern pike, catfish, and sturgeon.

The unstaffed Karen Lea Nature Center has tables of hands-on exhibits, and there are naturalist-led programs offered during summer weekends.