Away from the Crowds in Wisconsin

Located on Lake Superior, the Apostle Islands are great for outdoor adventures. They are known for pristine beaches and sea caves. Cliffs offer awesome views. Visitors enjoy hiking along scenic trails or getting out on the water and sailing.

Nature has carved out caves and passageways into sandstone bluffs. The caves can be explored by kayak in the summertime.

The islands are also home to some lovely lighthouses.

Aztalan State Park is the site of an ancient Native American town named Aztalan that dates back to 1000 AD. This is a National Historic Landmark offering visitors a look into the culture of the Native Americans that once lived here. Among the three platform mounds, two have been preserved and restored. There are walking paths and a scenic riverfront.

Located near Blue Mounds, the Cave of the Mounds is a natural hidden gem. This is an amazing underground limestone cave with stalactites and stalagmites. Guided tours bring visitors into the depths of the cave to get a look at the chambers. It has been designated as a National Natural Landmark. There are many different formations within the cave. These formations come in many different brilliant colors, such as reds, browns, blues, and grays.

Cave Point County Park stretches along the eastern shores of Door County. The park offers an amazing shoreline with limestone cliffs rising above the water of Lake Michigan. There are hiking trails that will take you to breathtaking viewpoints to see waves crashing against cliffs in the summertime and ice formations in the winter. Visitors can kayak or paddle through the intricate caves and caverns.

Located in Waupaca, Chain O’Lakes has 22 interconnected lakes. The blue waters of the upper Chain O’Lakes consist of 8 no-wake lakes. Here you can enjoy kayaking, paddleboarding, and canoeing. Visitors enjoy swimming and fishing.

Located in downtown Montello, Daggett Memorial Park sits along the banks of the Wolf River. It is a place enjoyed by nature lovers and outdoor enthusiasts. There is a historic granite quarry within the park with several man-made waterfalls. The granite from this quarry was once found to be the hardest granite in the world and was used for several famous monuments, including Grant’s tomb. The park has trails for hiking and is a great place for having a picnic and birdwatching.

Located in Plover, the Dells of the Eau Claire Park is for nature lovers. You can enjoy impressive rock formations, lovely waterfalls, and river rapids. To get close to nature, take the peaceful, secluded hiking trails. The Eau Claire River bisects the park. The park also has areas designated for camping, swimming, hiking, and picnicking.

Located in Marshfield, Jurassic Park is the creation of artist Clyde Wynia. Visitors can enjoy larger-than-life metal sculptures of dinosaurs, bog creatures, and other ancient, extinct beasts.

Parfrey’s Glen is a gorge located east of Devil’s Lake State Park. It offers winding hiking trails, moss-covered cliffs, and cascading waterfalls. This was the first natural area in the state. The gorge is carved into the sandstone of the Baraboo Hills near Merrimac. The roundtrip trail features a fast-moving creek.

Rock Island State Park can be accessed by ferry from Washington Island or by private boat. The park is located off the northern tip of Door County. The island offers over ten miles of hiking trails and rugged beaches.

Here you’ll find the oldest lighthouse in the state, the Pottawatomie.

Witches Gulch is located in central Wisconsin and is accessible by boat from the Wisconsin Dells. Exploring the gulch, you navigate through narrow passages and see towering rock formations.

It is a lovely spot with waterfalls and ancient moss-covered walls. It transports visitors to another world.