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Cross Plains, Wisconsin

Top Spots in and near Cross Plains

  • Middleton, Wisconsin

    Hike through Pope Farm Conservancy

    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...
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  • Cross Plains, Wisconsin

    Hike through Indian Lake Park

    4.0
    4.7 mi / 324 ft gain
    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...
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  • Verona, Wisconsin

    Visit the public gardens at West Madison Agricultural Research Station of UW-Madison

    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...
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  • Madison, Wisconsin

    Hiking through Owen Conservation Park

    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...
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  • Madison, Wisconsin

    Hike the Ice Age Junction Trail portion of the Ice Age Trail

    4.6 mi
    This is an excellent trail right in the city of Madison and doing this portion made me very excited to continue hiking more of the Ice Age Trail in this area.  The Ice Age Trail is more than 1,000 miles long and it follows the edge of the last continental glacier in Wisconsin.   - - - - - For thi...
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  • Sauk City, Wisconsin

    Hike Ferry Bluff State Natural Area

    0.8 mi / 320 ft gain
    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...
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  • Sauk City, Wisconsin

    Hike the Overlook Trail at Ferry Bluff State Natural Area

    5.0
    0.37 mi / 300 ft gain
    Five miles west from Sauk City lies another great natural area. According to the official website, it is about a 25-minute drive from Devil’s Lake State Park. There are a few trails you can take here at this park, they go up all of the bluffs in the area, the most popular one is Cactus Bluff. Fol...
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  • Madison, Wisconsin

    Catch a Sunset at the Memorial Union

    5.0
    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,...
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  • Madison, Wisconsin

    Explore the University of Wisconsin Arboretum

    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...
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  • Madison, Wisconsin

    Kayak Lake Monona

    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...
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  • Madison, Wisconsin

    Relax at Bernie's Beach

    There’s plenty to do here: relax on the beach, walk the neighborhood, soak in the views of the Madison skyline, bring a kayak or SUP to get on the water, or go for a swim.     Always be sure to check the blue-green algae levels before swimming in a Madison lake. That can be done here.  Thankfully...
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  • Madison, Wisconsin

    Visit the Olbrich Botanical Gardens

    4.0
    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...
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  • Gibraltar Rock State Natural Area, Wisconsin

    Gibraltar Rock Loop

    5.0
    1.5 mi / 322 ft gain
    Starting at the trailhead at the base of the hill, follow the paved asphalt path that ascends the backside of Gibraltar Rock. While the trail is paved all the way to the top, there are sections of it that are rather rough due to tree roots tearing the pavement up. There is also a slightly longer ...
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  • McFarland, Wisconsin

    Bike the Lower Yahara River Trail at McDaniel Park

    2.5 mi
    This lakeside park has a newer bike/walking path. The park itself is an excellent spot for a picnic or catching a sunset! There is a nice play area and a rocky beach.   The path is known as the Lower Yahara River Trail and opened in 2017. It provides a non-road connection between Madison and McFa...
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  • Poynette, Wisconsin

    Fish on Lake Wisconsin

    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 ...
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  • Merrimac, Wisconsin

    Hike Parfrey's Glen

    4.1
    Located next to the popular Devil's Lake State Park, Parfrey's Glen holds many of the same geographical features. Parfrey's Glen is unique, however, for the rock cliffs that tower over you on both sides as you make your way though the gorge.The mile hike from the trailhead to the glen requires so...
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Camping and Lodging in Cross Plains

Wisconsin Dells KOA Holiday
Wisconsin Dells, Wisconsin

Wisconsin Dells KOA Holiday

Milton KOA Holiday
Edgerton, Wisconsin

Milton KOA Holiday

Guides, Insights and Stories from Cross Plains

Governor Dodge State Park- The Perfect Midwest Weekend Getaway

Governor Dodge State Park- The Perfect Midwest Weekend Getaway

Brett Visser