Parkview General Store

Holy dang! I thought with certainty that I’d be the first to review the Parkview General Store. Guess I was wrong, and guess that goes to show you… Unilocaltasticness is everywhere.
Mauthe Lake Recreation Area is my new camping jam, and the Parkview General Store makes camping at Mauthe Lake that much better. Run out of mustard for your brats? Need to rent a rowboat or canoe? Break your fishing pole? Want some candy? Need live bait? Out of ice? Parkview has everything, right near the park… super convenient! Aaandd… the selection of stuff they carry is fairly comprehensive given the size of the store. The store owners were super nice, to boot.
Spots like this = Wisconsin gems. If you’re anything like me and love getting away and getting out into nature, tiny little stores like these are a must have. Parkview does what they do super well. Love it!

Stopped by here on my way back to our campsite one night. They had a sign saying «Julie’s Confections», it got me… Cute store with lots of quick and easy «grabs» for the campers. But Julie’s stuff, is for everyone! She makes her own fudge, and boy does she have a selection of it. This season’s new was watermelon! I sampled Kettle Moraine ‘special’ — I can’t remember the name, but it was white chocolate, dark chocolate, a LINDT bar baked in the middle, carmel and nuts. Delicious. She also makes various types of gourmet popcorns, kettle corn, chocolate covered popcorn, etc… For being out in the middle of no-​where, you’ll be pleasantly suprised. Super nice people too!

It would be easy to overlook Parkview General Store. One might stop here to buy a soda or use the facilities and never think twice. But look a bit closer. This humble store is a little corner of heaven right here in rural Wisconsin.
You see, our state parks are an amazing treasure. We have thousands of acres of untainted forests with unpaved trails. An awful lot of our gorgeous lakes forbid motors and have public beaches and shores.
The Parkview General Store makes one of the best parks into a convenience. Drive North on I-​45 from Milwaukee for an hour. The store is located just yards from the entrance to Kettle Moraine North and enriches your visit immeasurably. Need bait and license? Sunscreen? Forget your hat? Want to ride bikes but don’t have a racks for all of them? The kind owners here have all these issues taken care of. And the prices are not marked up just because of the location.
Their best offering is the boat rental. They have them waiting for you shoreside at Mauthe Lake. Bring along a book, a sun hat, and your beloved and spend the afternoon lazing and reading aloud in the drift.
I am long overdue for a return visit to Parkview. It is among my most cherished discoveries and beloved memories, please do stop in for a visit if you are in the area.