New Glarus Woods State Park

New Glarus Woods State Park - Havenridge Nature Trail

Starting to head back towards home but had enough time to visit New Glarus Woods State Park in New Glarus, Wisconsin for a quick hike. The park is on the smaller side with only one main parking lot (camping is available here too but is small & crowded for my likings).  I started on the … Read more

Yellowstone Lake State Park

Yellowstone Lake State Park - Lake View

For this weekend’s trip I decided to stay at Yellowstone Lake State Park in Blanchardville, Wisconsin.  The park seems popular for fishing & boating but not so much for the hiking trails – time for me to figure out why. The 455-acre lake is a man-made reservoir created by damming the Yellowstone River.  I’m finding … Read more

Cadiz Springs State Recreation Area

Cadiz Springs State Recreation Area - Zander Lake Nature Trail

Next stop is Cadiz Springs State Recreation Area, another smaller state park in the Driftless Area located near Browntown, Wisconsin. The park is known for it’s two lakes – Beckman and Zander – which are man-made reservoirs created by damming up Zander Creek.  A large plaque stands at Beckman Lake detailing the efforts by the … Read more

Fenley State Recreation Area

Fenley State Recreation Area

In my quest to visit all Wisconsin State Parks I visited the relatively unknown Fenley State Recreation Area near Kieler, Wisconsin. Unfortunately there was nothing to see on this day as the Sinnipee Creek has overflowed & flooded the small dirt parking area.  Might be good for whitetail hunting due to the seclusion but doesn’t appear … Read more

Governor Dodge State Park – Stephens Falls

Governor Dodge State Park - Stephens Falls

Not far away from Cox Hollow Lake Falls and still within Governor Dodge State Park is the easily accessible Stephens Falls. Another small flow can be seen running down the cliff side directly next to the main falls. Unfortunately we didn’t spend much time here as some other park guests were picking flowers, destroying sensitive … Read more

Governor Dodge State Park – Cox Hollow Lake Falls

Cox Hollow Lake - Cox Hollow Lake Falls

Memorial Day morning was threatening rain but that didn’t stop us from getting in a few short hikes.  First one of the day was Cox Hollow Lake Falls at Governor Dodge State Park.  From the trail we first saw the lake spillway but that isn’t why we are here. Clouds above Cox Hollow Lake are … Read more

Gibraltar Rock

Gibraltar Rock State Natural Area

Our short ferry ride across Lake Wisconsin was specifically because it’s the fastest way to reach Gibraltar Rock State Natural Area from the north.  This is also a section along the Ice Age Trail. The trail is mainly pine and cedar but has a wide variation depending on where you are.  Trails today were quite … Read more

Parfreys Glen

Parfreys Glen State Natural Area - Parfreys Glen Falls

No more taking chances – our next destination was a surefire 5-star hiking and waterfall experience at the beloved Parfreys Glen State Natural Area.  We arrived relatively early and even got parking inside the parking lot (and not down the street!). The trail is a 1.1 mile in & out hike that starts very easy … Read more

Witches Gulch

Dells of the Wisconsin River - Witches Gulch

After failing to see the falls from our earlier hike I wasn’t going to be defeated.  Today was perfect weather for a boat ride so we hopped on the Dells Boat Tour for a 2 hour trip. Cliff views here in the Dells of the Wisconsin River are pretty amazing.  Lots of rare features that … Read more

Dells of the Wisconsin River

Dells of the Wisconsin River State Natural Area - Green Shelf Fungi

Our next hike was another 50/50 shot – this time we are trying to see the waterfalls at Witches Gulch from above without paying the $30 boat tour costs.  Trail head can be found north of Chula Vista resort on River Road and is simply labeled on maps as “Dells of the Wisconsin River“. No … Read more