Wisconsin

This trip through Willow River State Park shows off beautiful views of Little Falls Lake and Willow River on your way to the falls. In the spring, wildflowers won't disappoint. An overall scenic and rewarding hike.

Begin at Meyer's Beach in the Apostle Islands National Lakeshore near Cornucopia, WI. There is a parking lot, but get there early in the day to get a spot and make sure to use the bathroom before heading out. There is no opportunity on the ice.Head out onto the frozen lake and follow the shoreline east about a half a mile to the first caves. The caves, arches, and ice formations extend a mile a...

Please note this warning from the park's website: Climbing on rock walls, cliff jumping or entering the closed area for any reason is prohibited, and violators will be subject to a $175 citation. Visitors are also prohibited from bringing in food or beverage or being on the property between 8 p.m. and 6 a.m. Fines for violations of those rules range from $175 to $200.Starting from the parking l...

Sand Island is a part of the Apostle Islands National Lakeshore near Bayfield, Wisconsin. You can (and will want to) explore the sea caves of Sand Island for hours, and this adventure will leave you wanting to explore more of the Apostle Islands National Lakeshore.GETTING THEREYou will start your paddle from Little Sand Bay which is about 13 miles north of Bayfield.To get to Little Sand Bay fro...

Cascade Falls is a must-stop if you are passing through Osceola, Wisconsin. The falls can be accessed on Cascade Street (Highway 35) near 1st Avenue in downtown Osceola. You will see a sign for the Falls at the deck by Chief Osceola. Continue down the 135 steps that lead from this platform down to Cascade Falls. This waterfall has a 25 foot drop into Wilkie Glen. You can continue following the ...

Lion's Den Gorge is a gorgeous nature preserve featuring a variety of unique nature scenes. The park includes massive bluffs, sand dunes, forests, creeks and bridges, hiking trails and stunning vistas of the Lake Michigan shoreline. The preserve is 72 acres and is located in the town of Grafton, just north of Milwaukee. You won't need a vehicle pass or any paid admission to visit the preserve.

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 some nimble climbing to make it all the way through. The trail runs parallel to a small creek, and cro...

You can make campground reservations ahead of time or drive into the park to talk to a ranger, and reserve a hike-in campsite for the a night.Once you're all set up, you can hike to the beach of Cox Hollow Lake to hang out, go for a swim, or snap a few sunset photos.There are beaches on both Cox Hollow and Twin Valley Lakes. Canoes are available for rent in the summer. After breakfast you can ...

Begin at the trailhead either north or south of the river, where parking is offered, and hike down to the river. You should be able to hear the falls. A trail will follow along the river to the west, marked with yellow "River Trail" signs. Follow the river trail down until the footbridge leads across to the other side of the Eau Claire. Along the way are various spots to climb, swim, take pictu...