Parfrey’s Glen, just a few miles east of Devil’s Lake State Park, is a gorgeous and rugged hike. The Glen is a wind-y slot canyon that increases in difficulty as you move further in. The trail essentially ends about half-way through. At this point, you can take off your shoes and wade up the stream running through the glen. This is idea in hot weather as you get much better traction. Otherwise, you’ll need to navigate the boulder-strewn sides of the canyon.
Like Witches Gulch, this canyon has been carved over eaons by water. It is cool, dark, shaded and covered in lovely moss and ferns. Massive boulders at the end show how they sheered off the rock walls ages ago.
This is one of the trickier hikes to manage in Southern Wisconsin, but really worth the effort. The Natural area does not allow dogs.
Parfrey’s Glen State Natural Area
1377 County Rd DL,
Merrimac, WI 53561