Baraboo, Wisconsin

Devil's Lake State Park has 29 miles of trail that vary in difficulty. The most popular trails are the East and West Bluff trails that circle Devil's Lake and offer some of the best views in the park. If you want a more relaxing day, head to the beach! It's a family-friendly spot that is the perf...

This hike begins at the east end of the North Shore Visitors' area. The hike starts relatively level before turning to the right and leading you up steps. The spectacular views come quickly on this hike as immediately after you reach the top steps you will be treated to your first glimpse of the ...

Devil's Lake State Park in Wisconsin offers some of the craziest views in the midwest as well as an abundance of supreme bouldering sites. To start off this endeavor there is one key item: a parking sticker. You can obtain one of these by heading over to either the north shore or south shore park...

If you come on a weekend expect there to be a crowd, but there is plenty of space for everyone.  You can hang out on the shore, float in the water on an inflatable floatie, kayak, canoe, or spread out on one of the many sand bars close by.  Depending on the time of year and level of the water, yo...

It is over 7,000 acres and has a maximum depth of 24 feet.  There are several public boat landings if you are lucky enough to own a boat.  For this specific adventure, you can fish right off County Rd. V in Poynette.  It’s a scenic spot that can get busy, but if you go during the week it’s quiet ...

Located in Wisconsin’s Driftless Region, Natural Bridge State Park includes 530-acres of oak and hardwood trees, small prairie remnants with grasses and cacti, ferns, and the rare goldenrod and purple cliffbrake. Wildlife in the park includes turkey vultures, pileated woodpeckers, and bald eagles...

You can most easily visit Witches Gulch via the Upper Dells Boat Ride and it was phenomenal! My kids were mesmerized by the mossy rocks, the walkways. Bring an extra layer because it is significantly cooler in the slot canyons than the boat ride. 

Ferry Bluff is a 0.8 mile lightly trafficked, very steep out and back trail located near Sauk City, Wisconsin that features a river and is good for all skill levels. The trail is primarily used for hiking, walking, nature trips, and birding and is best used from April until October. The entire no...

442 acre park just outside of Madison is a perfect spot to escape for awhile. About a 20 minute drive from Madison makes it easily accessible even on a tight schedule. It provides a great place for lots of outdoor activities, year round.I love this place enough that I have been there many times a...

More info can be found about that here.  This is a beautiful 105 acre conservancy with several different trails.  It’s a great spot for a picnic and to bring the family.  There are interpretive signs so you can learn about the history of the land like glaciers and the different settlers.  They ev...

This garden is open to the public from dawn to dusk, 7 days a week, free of charge.  The gardens are tended by summer interns.  During the off-season they are maintained by volunteers and apprentices.  We made our first stop here earlier this week.  It was beautiful. Tons of plants and lots of sp...

There are no specific trails in this conservancy, so just choose the path that looks the best to you.  It would be hard to get lost here and all the trails put together are only about 3 miles.   There are some hills, but nothing too serious. bathrooms in the parking lotsmall parking lotfreecommon...

Being a native Wisconsinite, I think the most quintessential thing to do in Madison is beers and a sunset at Memorial Union Terrace on Lake Mendota. There’s plenty more to do right at the Union too, including world famous ice cream,  kayaking and other water sport rentals at Hoofer’s, live music,...

Olbrich Gardens has 16 acres of gardens including a rose garden, sunken garden, Thai pavilion, rock garden, herb garden, and more.  Each one is unique with its own pathways and plant life as well as man made structures which include bridges, pools, the Thai pavilion, and more.   Adjoining the Bot...

I like to put in at the Camp Randall Rowing Club Brittingham Boat House located at 617 N Shore Dr, Madison, WI 53703.  There’s a dock and free 3 hour parking.  Once in the water just paddle straight towards John Nolen Drive and go under the bridge and you’ll be in Lake Monona. Keep going and soak...

It is filled with effigy mounds, thousands of plant and animal species, and unlimited places to explore.  You can run, hike, bike, and even drive through the Arboretum.  There is a visitor center and you can host an event here.  Trail info  One of my favorite trails is in the Grady Tract area nea...