Tag
Walking
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 →
The Green Circle Trail is a gorgeous trail circling Stevens Point. It follows both the Wisconsin and Plover Rivers. There are ponds, bridges, beaches, marshes and the remains of historic buildings throughout. The trail seemed well maintained, wooded, wide and… 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 →
There’s something eerie and rather inhospitable about the Green Lake region. We’d only been there once in the past, and only knew it existed from the listing on a now-defunct sculpture garden. Despite it being a sizable lake, it seems… 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 →
This magical trail starts in an inauspicious parking lot. The first section follows the road, but soon turns off into a gorgeous wooded area. Boardwalks go over and around marshy areas, which team with insects, fish and frogs. The trail… Continue Reading →
Part of the Ice Age Trail that runs through much of Wisconsin, this wildlife area is quiet and secluded. With over 2600 acres of land, you’ll find plenty to do and see. Just a short drive from Madison, but very… Continue Reading →
The Windmill Island Gardens do not disappoint. It’s an island, there are extensive gardens, and a massive functioning windmill. Like much of Holland, MI, the high-point of the year is during May for their tulip festival. Like other parts of… 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 →
Not to be confused with Houghton Falls, MI, this wonderful preserve is an off-the-beaten track gem. Well groomed trails and wooden paths wind through piney woods, past a small waterfall, sandstone overhangs and a winding creek. The path ends on… Continue Reading →