<![CDATA[Wanderlust with Three - Driftless]]>Sun, 12 Apr 2026 13:25:34 -0500Weebly<![CDATA[Devil's Lake State Park]]>Sat, 10 Jun 2023 22:25:35 GMThttps://www.wanderlustwiththree.com/driftless/devils-lake-state-park
Nature Heals.  It is my mantra, and when I need healing, I head to Devil's Lake.  We have hiked all the trails here, and there is plenty to explore.  If you are short on time, our favorite to hike is East Bluff, along Balanced Rock and Potholes Trails.  This is a moderate 2.5 mile loop that circles back along the lake on the Tumbled Rock Trail.  We hike here all year long, but use traction cleats on our shoes in the winter if we are climbing the bluff.  This is an extremely popular destination so plan to see people anytime you go, especially on the weekends in the summer.  The park often fills and the lots close on weekends in the summer.  There is camping here too, but book early!  When you are done hiking, cool off in the clear and cool lake water.  We prefer swimming on South Shore along the boardwalk.  There are kayaks, paddle boards, and paddle pontoons available for rent on the North Shore.  No motorized boats are allowed on the lake.  In the winter, there are ice fisherman scattered across the lake - in search of some lake trout. The park does require an entrance fee of $8 (out-of-state $11) per vehicle for a day-use pass or an annual pass for $28 (out-of-state $38).
Address: 
S5975 Park Rd
Baraboo, WI 53913
]]><![CDATA[Parfrey's Glen State Natural Area]]>Sat, 10 Jun 2023 22:03:53 GMThttps://www.wanderlustwiththree.com/driftless/parfreys-glen-state-natural-areaParfrey's Glen Trail
One of my favorite trails in the Driftless area!  It is unique and I haven't found anything quite like it without paying for a guided tour of Witch's Gulch in the Dells.  The moderate trail is about 1 and 3/4 mile out-and-back.  There is a dirt path for part of the trail.  If you want to reach the cascading waterfall at the end of the trail, you will need to go off the beaten path.  You will be walking through the creek and climbing over large boulders through the cavern.  Bring shoes that can get wet, and that have good grips on them.  If you are willing to make the trek, it is worth it!  We hike this trail all year long when the weather is right.  The park does require an entrance fee of $8 (out-of-state $11) per vehicle for a day-use pass or an annual pass for $28 (out-of-state $38). They are very strict about paying at this location because of its popularity.  This is located just on the edge of Devil's Lake and worth stopping at both if you have the time. 
Address: 
1377 County Rd DL
Merrimac, WI 53561
]]><![CDATA[Natural Bridge State Park]]>Sat, 10 Jun 2023 21:51:05 GMThttps://www.wanderlustwiththree.com/driftless/natural-bridge-state-parkNatural Bridge Trail
This easy almost 2 mile trail will take you to the "natural bridge" and continue to an overlook and loop back through the woods to the parking lot.  You could also continue through the prairie for an additional mile hike that will link back to the parking lot. The park is open year-round, but our favorite is in the spring.  Bring bug spray and check for ticks when you are done with this one. The park does require an entrance fee of $8 (out-of-state $11) per vehicle for a day-use pass or an annual pass for $28 (out-of-state $38). There is not much cell service here, so be prepared with directions. 
Address: 
E7792 CTY Rd C
North Freedom, WI 53913
]]><![CDATA[Wyalusing State Park]]>Sat, 10 Jun 2023 20:40:27 GMThttps://www.wanderlustwiththree.com/driftless/wyalusing-state-parkSugar Maple Trail
If you make it to Wyalusing, the Sugar Maple Trail is a must.  This moderate 2 mile hike will take you up and down through the bluffs and to a small waterfall.  The trail is well marked and easy to follow.  We visited in early spring, but summer or fall would be a good time to visit as well.  Renting a canoe and paddling the backwaters and down the Mississippi River or swimming at one of the beaches would be a great way to cool down after this hike. The park does require an entrance fee of $8 (out-of-state $11) per vehicle for a day-use pass or an annual pass for $28 (out-of-state $38).
Address: 
13081 State Park Ln
​Bagley, WI 53801
Sand Cave Trail
This popular and easy 2 mile hike takes you along the cliffs that border the Wisconsin River.  You will see a waterfall on this hike, depending on the time of year you visit.  We saw a trickle while we were there in the spring, but after rain in the summer it would be more pronounced.  This hike will also take you towards an overlook of the Wisconsin River.  The park does require an entrance fee of $8 (out-of-state $11) per vehicle for a day-use pass or an annual pass for $28 (out-of-state $38).
​Address: 
13081 State Park Ln
​Bagley, WI 53801
]]><![CDATA[Dells of Wisconsin Natural Area]]>Sat, 10 Jun 2023 20:19:18 GMThttps://www.wanderlustwiththree.com/driftless/dells-of-wisconsin-natural-area
Chapel Gorge Trail
This easy 2 mile hike is one of my favorite hikes in the Dells area.  It has a little something for everyone!  It starts with an incline hike (that can be muddy) and takes you to a pine forest, that turns over to a deciduous forest.  It then takes you to a short climb down the rocks (stone steps are inset) and to a sandy beach along the Wisconsin River.  It is a great place to spend an afternoon.  We have been here in the spring, summer, and fall; it is amazing all year.  The park does require an entrance fee of $8 (out-of-state $11) per vehicle for a day-use pass or an annual pass for $28 (out-of-state $38).
Address: 
River Road
​Wisconsin Dells, WI 53965
]]><![CDATA[Wildcat Mountain State Park]]>Sat, 10 Jun 2023 20:09:50 GMThttps://www.wanderlustwiththree.com/driftless/wildcat-mountain-state-parkIce Cave Trail
A popular and easy 3/4 mile hike to see the frozen waterfall.  If you drive through the park, there is also a short hike at the top of the bluff overlooking the landscape below. The park does require an entrance fee of $8 (out-of-state $11) per vehicle for a day-use pass or an annual pass for $28 (out-of-state $38).
Address: 
E13660 State Hwy 33
​Ontario, WI 54651
]]><![CDATA[Mirror Lake State Park]]>Sat, 10 Jun 2023 19:47:52 GMThttps://www.wanderlustwiththree.com/driftless/mirror-lake-state-parkEcho Rock Trail
This easy 1 mile loop takes you along Mirror Lake and some unique land formations.  You also get to see the famous Ishnala supper club from across the lake.  We did this hike during the winter, so there were snowshoers and cross-country skiers on the trail as well.  The trail was slippery at parts, so watch your step if you go in the winter.  In the summer, you could cool off swimming at one of the park's beaches.  The park does require an entrance fee of $8 (out-of-state $11) per vehicle for a day-use pass or an annual pass for $28 (out-of-state $38).
Address: 
E10320 Fern Dell Rd
​Baraboo, WI 53913
Pulpit Rock Loop
This trail is near Fern Dell Gorge, and an easy 3/4 mile loop.  The trailhead is a little ways past the main entrance to Mirror Lake State Park.  The trail also has markers explaining the history of the land and how people used this space a hundred years ago before it was cleared.  It ends with a lookout at the gorge.  The park does require an entrance fee of $8 (out-of-state $11) per vehicle for a day-use pass or an annual pass for $28 (out-of-state $38).
Address: 
​ E10320 Fern Dell Rd
​Baraboo, WI 53913
]]><![CDATA[Pewit's Nest State Natural Area]]>Sat, 10 Jun 2023 19:33:21 GMThttps://www.wanderlustwiththree.com/driftless/pewits-nest-state-natural-areaPewit's Nest
This easy and short 0.8 mile out-and-back hike will take you along Skillet Creek.  You can also hike the bluff and look down on the waterfalls here.  We have been here in the winter, spring, fall, and summer; and there are ALWAYS other people here.  In the summer, there are often people swimming in the pools, hiking along the shallow creek, or picnicking along the trail.  In the winter, you can walk between the bluffs, just be careful because there can be open pockets in the ice.  The park does require an entrance fee of $8 (out-of-state $11) per vehicle for a day-use pass or an annual pass for $28 (out-of-state $38).
Address: 
E10651A CTH-W
​Baraboo, WI 53913
]]><![CDATA[Gibraltar Rock State Natural Area]]>Sat, 10 Jun 2023 19:18:07 GMThttps://www.wanderlustwiththree.com/driftless/gibraltar-rock-state-natural-area
Gibraltar Rock Trail
​This is a moderate 1.4 mile loop with a steep climb at the beginning of the hike.  It offers endless views of the landscape below and views of Lake Wisconsin to the northwest.  There are many places to stop and have a picnic at the top of the rock, just be careful because the ledges are not roped off.  The path is easy to follow, and there are areas where you can step off the path to see some of the overlooks.  This is part of the 1,000 mile-long Ice Age Trail.  The area also requires a few at the parking area; $8 (out-of-state is $11 for a day use pass or $28 (out-of-state is $38) for an annual state parks sticker.  
Address: 
N1901 Gibraltar Rock Rd
​Lodi, WI 53555
]]><![CDATA[Ice Formations]]>Sat, 10 Jun 2023 19:09:05 GMThttps://www.wanderlustwiththree.com/driftless/ice-formationsNelson's on Rush River
If you are looking for something unique to do with kids, take them to Nelson's on Rush River, just north of Maiden Rock.  This is technically in someone's backyard, however, every year the owner (Roger) sets up these ice structures from the artesian well that springs from their land.  He uses piping to create about two dozen of these freeform frozen structures to walk around.  They are even lit at night if you are looking for something to do in the evening.  There is no cost to see these, but there is a donation box available by the parking area.  Another thing to consider is there is no cell service down the valley this property is on.  I remember thinking I had driven too far, but I kept going and eventually found the property; it is actually pretty hard to miss.  If you are looking for somewhere with more to do, check out Ellsworth, WI about 20 minutes from here. 
Address: 
N2699 County Rd A
Maiden Rock, WI 54750
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