Tag
Park
This quiet and rather unknown park is an hour and a half drive from Madison. It’s primary focus is the large, shallow Castle Rock Lake which empties into the Wisconsin River. Canoe, kayak, boat, and fish on this placid lake…. Continue Reading →
Even if you’re not a hiker, Pikes Peak State Park is worth a visit for the breathtaking views over the Mississipi. A large overlook platform gives you a clear and panoramic view of the river. Strike out on the Bridal… Continue Reading →
Right over the border in Illinois, Apple River Canyon State Park is a beautiful valley hidden in some otherwise dull landscape. The Apple River flows through the middle of the park and is bordered by picturesque stone bluffs. The hiking… Continue Reading →
The pandemic has given us a much greater appreciation of county parks. There are so many of them, and they are usually just as nice as the state parks – but quieter and less visited. John Muir Memorial Park is… Continue Reading →
This small, hidden park contains an extensive Native mound system. Sadly, these ancients memorials are greatly eroded. Without the hand-made map, you would likely overlook them. While the rest of the park is small, it has an amazing view over… Continue Reading →
You can’t beat the views of Lake Michigan from the bluffs at Lion’s Den Gorge. Most of the trails are along the bluffs, through woods and wetlands. However, if your thighs are up to it, head down a long flight… Continue Reading →
Wedged between the railroad tracks and a suburban neighborhood, the Castle Creek Conservancy preserves a slice of native prairie and woods. Parts of Six Mile Creek wander through the property. The path makes a large loop, so no chance of… Continue Reading →
Fishery areas rarely hold any interest for us. Usually, they’re a small lot, then a short trail to a body of water. After driving by Six Mile Creek Fishery Area for nearly two decades, we were completely floored to find… Continue Reading →
Big Bay State Park takes a bit of schlep to reach. It is located on Madeline Island, near the shore of Bayfield. A regular ferry can take you and your car across the bay in about 20 minutes. Arrive early… Continue Reading →
The western shores of Michigan are famously beautiful year-round. During summer, their sandy beaches are packed with vacationers. But they’re just as nice, albeit a bit chillier, in Spring or Fall. Saugatuck Dunes State Park has a stretch of open… Continue Reading →
The best time to visit Wyalusing State Park is actually when the weather is pretty miserable – Jan. through early Spring. While the view is quite dramatic, with it’s steep cliffs overlooking the Mississippi and Wisconsin Rivers, the main draw… Continue Reading →
Just a few miles north of Monches is a fantastic county park. Glacier Hills is a large, hilly area with something to offer for every season – hiking, sledding, swimming, kayaking, skiing, plus reservable hall and chapel for special events…. Continue Reading →
Newport Beach offers very little in amenities, and that is its charm. There is one bathroom and it only offers backpack camping. The rest is simply peaceful nature with acres of beach and woods to explore. The park is a… Continue Reading →
Peninsula is a perennial favorite and one we look forward to returning to again and again. There are plenty of winding, woody trails with magnificent views of the water throughout the park. But the gem we return to in the… Continue Reading →
Whitefish Dunes State Park has some of the most gorgeous coastline in Wisconsin. Stroll along the three sandy beaches* and enjoy the fresh breezes or have a picnic on the bluffs overlooking the water. The park also has an interpretive… Continue Reading →
Starting in a small park in Minoqua, the Bearskin Trail leads west over a series of small bridges over-looking the serene Minoqua Lake. The area is a popular Northwoods tourist destination with many water sports, galleries and shops, trails and… Continue Reading →