State Parks and Natural Areas

Photo by: Chris Rycroft

Devil’s Lake State Park – Baraboo, WI

Devil’s Lake is the largest and most popular state park in Wisconsin – it also offers the most activities. From hiking the bluff trails to taking in the spectacular views to swimming or kayaking in the serene setting of the lake, there is something to do for just about everyone.

Roche-A-Cri State Park

If you’re looking for some amazing views in the area, we highly recommend making the 303 step hike to the top of Roche-A-Cri State Park. This state park is only 15 miles from the lake house as well.

When the last glacier plowed through and leveled most of the state, it stopped just short of Roche-A-Cri leaving this mound standing as an island of Glacial Lake Wisconsin.

Photo by: Steve Nelson

Mirror Lake State Park – Baraboo, WI

Located a few miles south of Wisconsin Dells, Mirror Lake State Park provides a delightful setting that is surrounded by wooded bluffs. There is a large beach for swimming and a no-wake lake keeps the water pleasant for all visitors.

What’s even better is you can put your name on the waitlist at Ishnala Supper Club and enjoy the scenery while you wait for a table and sip on an Old Fashioned.

Photo by: Tim Gasser

Rocky Arbor State Park – Wisconsin Dells, WI

This tranquil and smaller 144-acre park provides great hiking trails amid pine-tree forests & sandstone bluffs. It’s lo

Photo by: Andrei Khlyzov

Buckhorn State Park – Necedah, WI

Buckhorn State Park is a 6,990-acre Wisconsin state park southeast of Necedah. The park occupies a peninsula on Castle Rock Lake, a reservoir formed at the confluence of the Wisconsin and Yellow Rivers.

Photo by: Chris & Katie Christian

Lawrence Creek State Natural Area – Grand Marsh, WI

Lawerence Creek Fish and Wildlife Area provides crystal clear waters and some and is a Class 1 Brook Trout stream. Located less than 2 miles from the lake house, provides great walking trails and easy access to the creek for fishing.

Photo by: Joshua Meyer

Quincy Bluff and Wetlands State Natural Area – Adams, WI

Quincy Bluff and Wetlands State Natural Area is a very large and uninterrupted wilderness area just west of the lake house. The preserve features several access roads for hiking. If you are in search of a wilder, more rustic, and lengthy hike then the Lone Rock trail is for you.

Photo by: John E.

Sohlberg Silver Lake State Natural Area – Adams, WI

Sohlberg Silver Lake features a small seepage lake (just like Patrick Lake) nestled in a landscape of undulating topography with low wooded hills and scattered open bogs and tamarack swamps.

Photo by: Michael Birkle

Dells of the Wisconsin River State Natural Area – Wisconsin Dells, WI

The Dells of Wisconsin Natural Area is a nature preserve located on the banks of the Upper Dells at the mouth of the Narrows. The Chapel Gorge trail runs for 2 miles through the pine forest. This easy two-track trail eventually leads to a “deserted” natural beach where the Wisconsin River exits the Narrows. This picturesque location is a great retreat for locals and visitors to the Wisconsin Dells.