Custer State Park – Visitor Center

Custer State Park Visitor Center - Entrance Sign

Made a brief stop at the Custer State Park Visitor Center to learn about the history and gather ideas on best places to visit. I came here several times only to find it was closed – if you plan to visit as well, check online for their hours in the off-peak season as they are … Read more

Governor Dodge – 2022 Spring Turkey Hunt Fail

Governor Dodge State Park - Sunset over Cox Hollow Lake

For this year’s Wisconsin spring turkey hunting season I drew a tag for period C in the southwest zone 1 region. I was behind in preparation and only had the weekend so I figured to go where I already have some knowledge. Headed to Governor Dodge State Park in Dodgeville, Wisconsin which also allowed me … Read more

Pattison State Park – Little Manitou Falls (2021)

Pattison State Park – Little Manitou Falls

The first time I visited Pattison State Park in 2018, it was immediately following some huge thunderstorms that destroyed many roads and trails, including the area downstream of Little Manitou Falls. Several years later, the trails are open again and I can now hike to see more of the park. Leaf colors are reaching peak … Read more

Pattison State Park – Big Manitou Falls (2021)

Big Manitou Falls – Long exposure view from far platform on north side of river

I awoke a bit groggy from an unlevel campsite and my boots are still sopping wet from yesterday’s expeditions, but the weather Gods are smiling upon me and it’s perfect fall conditions for hiking today. In the interest of time I drove to the Big Manitou Falls parking area off E County Road B and … Read more

2021 Wisconsin Fall Trip Start: Stung Upper Lip

An example of the yellowjacket that got me. Nest of them on my campsite.

Welcome to the start of my 2021 Wisconsin road trip. The past few years this has been my go-to choice for longer trips, and frankly there is no place I’d rather be than in the big woods in fall when the colors are changing. This year started off poorly but by the end became quite … Read more

High Cliff State Park – Lime Kiln Falls

High Cliff State Park - Lime Kiln Falls (Upper)

Thanks to my friend Bob over at waterfallswisconsin.com I was made aware of a fairly large waterfall at High Cliff State Park in Sherwood, Wisconsin. He is referring to this as Lime Kiln Falls upper & lower because the main access is directly off the Lime Kiln Trail. I’ve been here before but never even … Read more

Copper Culture State Park

Copper Culture State Park - Trail to Indian Cemetery

One of the lesser-known historical sites in our state, Copper Culture State Park is just a short drive north from Green Bay located in Oconto, Wisconsin. This is also one of the smaller state parks but does contain some short hiking trails and a volunteer-staffed museum inside an old farmhouse with relics and information on … Read more

Tonto Natural Bridge State Park

Tonto Natural Bridge State Park - Bridge from Viewpoint 1

Driving back from Sedona towards Phoenix, I had time for just one more stop before sundown.  Took a quick look at my map & notes and decided to try out Tonto Natural Bridge State Park in Pine, Arizona. The entrance road is paved but very steep with extremely high grades. Once at the bottom there … Read more

Kartchner Caverns State Park

Kartchner Caverns State Park - View outside the cavern entrance from afar

Weather once again killed any chance I had for hikes. The drive back from Tombstone to Benson switched between rain and sun depending which cloud was overhead at the time. It’s a flat drive with no danger like going up the mountains so I found it enjoyable to watch the drama unfold across the sky … Read more

Peninsula State Park – Eagle Trail

Peninsula State Park - Niagara Escarpment along the Eagle Trail

The weather has changed for the better and this afternoon is blue skies with only partial clouds and some great sunshine. With the lack of available daylight hours I’m wasting no time. Drove out to the Eagle Panorama for a hike on the Eagle Trail. Not surprisingly views in cheerful conditions are better than what … Read more