Archeological site for Mississippian culture featuring mounds and stockades. Pay to park online…read moreusing your mobile. Don't miss out the museum next door. A nice short/quick waaround the site

Aztalan State Park is such a beautiful hidden gem of Wisconsin State Parks. I've been here a few…read moretimes and I really love the beautiful nature and the history that surrounds Aztalan.

This is a great mountain biking trail system in Fitchburg. Right off Fitchrona, there's a decent…read moreparking lot to park your car/truck. The trailhead is just beyond the bathrooms. They have a fun selection of singletrack trails from beginner to the more advanced. The trails are nicely maintained and fun to ride. Cyclists are friendly and will let you pass if they're moving a little slower than you. This is a family trail system , with lots of levels of difficulty. Perfect for groups of people of different riding levels. The fall colors are just starting, so the trails are really pretty this time of year. Please keep it clean out there and ride only when it's dry. That helps keep the trail safe for riders out there. The little pond is really scenic when the sun is setting in the evening. There are lots of fun turns and some obstacles too. Watch the signs and have fun!

This is a really neat park on the Sugar River. It starts at the "head gates" for the once brodhead…read moremill and hydro project. The park is a trail along the raceway, or mill race. This is essentially a man made canal that provides water to the mill pond in Brodhead. It is a lovely walk, very scenic with numerous wetlands, woodland, farmland, ending with a lovely stroll along the canal into the village of Brodhead. Here, along one side of the canal are numerous fun homes reminiscent of the canals in Amsterdam. If you choose to walk or kayak, once in Brodhead, stroll downtown to a local cafe or restaurant. Hint: This is a GREAT trip for a fun outdoor date! Even if the date doesn't go well, the scenery is lovely and you can enjoy the walk back alone. It's a 4+ mile roundtrip. Easy hike with gravel two lane path. Hint: Hint: oooh...you discovered the super double secret hint! This is a great place to bring your dog. Lots of room to run big! Fetch, swimming, ducks, and the water is clean so, your dog can enjoy itself! Hint: Hint: Hint: A super triple secret hint? Say it isn't so! Kayakers - pay attention! Here is an INCREDIBLE opportunity for kayaking that requires no shuttling! Put your boat in here, paddle up river a short distance (no current here) to the decatur tap, portage the dam, paddle down the Sugar River to where the race rejoins the Sugar River. Then paddle up the race to Brodhead dam. Portage the dam and bing bang boom, you're back on the race! Now it's an easy paddle up the race back to the head gates where your car is parked, waiting for you, with a cooler of beer in trunk! Cheers, you earned it! Hint 4X: A quadruple hint-o-rama....be still my palpating heart....If you want to get into kayaking and kayak this in a group, check out the Mad City Paddlers website for group kayaking and canoe trips! Or, send me an email, I kayak this at least once a year :)

This trail is an excellent alternative to the longer, more strenuous nearby Scuppernong Trails just…read moreeast of here. But unlike those color coded trails, there's more to see along this 1.2 mile trail. Some of the springs are just mesmerizing. Seeing water bubble up from underwater sands is almost hypnotic. Other springs flow out of the ground and hillsides. Although shorter than even the shortest of the neighboring trails, definitely plan on spending an hour here, you'll be stopping often to take in the many features along the trail.

The Scuppernong Springs Nature Trail, across from the Ottawa Lake Recreation Area check in, is an…read moreeasy hike featuring dozens of natural springs, and the remnants of an old marl works plant. Differing from the other more wooded Scuppernong Trail, the Springs Nature trail is unique in its spring features and history. Check out the self guide for an explanation of natural springs, the marl plant and hotel, and the Native American settlement previously here. http://dnr.wi.gov/files/PDF/pubs/pr/PR0230.pdf The springs bubble up through the sand like something out of the movie the Labrynth, and also flow out of the hillside. It's a really unique feature. This is an easy unique hike that the whole family can enjoy.

For something to get out us out of the house this last year, my wife and I seek out new trails…read moreevery chance we get. Seeking most options in Washington, Ozaukee and Waukesha Counties. Glacier Hills is one of the best. The simply fact that with the hilly nature makes it very scenic and just the right amount of challenge. The trail coming into Friess Lake is pretty special. We will be back for sure.

This park is the best. Every time I go here I meet a cool doe. And it's got some amazing foraging…read more I don't usually eat mushrooms (not in love with the texture), but if done right, they're pretty good.

My first time here. I've avoided this area because it's surrounded by iffy neighborhoods with high…read morecrime rates like murders. They had a fall festival this past weekend with free guided walks so I figured it would be safe for us. Loved the guided walk and how informative it was. This is a high quality state park with lots of native plants still intact. So the whole place is pretty deserted but it did rain in the morning. Cars with completely tinted windows drive around in broad daylight. Pretty scary...The campgrounds have security that do not allow you to pass through unless you are a camper so that would make it safe. I saw a few police cars in the area as well. Personally, this isn't for me but if you are street smart, know your way around the neighborhood, it's great for hiking.

8/7/2024: Three dings…read more1) Parking lot bathrooms have no locks at all 2) Beach front south side of park mostly washed out except for section between hotel and trail head 3) Entrance to South Park entrance from main road is currently completely blocked by road closure if you are coming from the south, detour is available but adds time

I read about Sunflower Days in a recent summer piece on Madison, and was happy that my Madison…read morevisit coincided with opening weekend of this year's sunflower bloom. The sunflower bloom is definitely worth the trip and parking lot traffic and walk up the hill- it's simply amazing. Over 500,000 sunflowers will bloom in a one week period! There's a bit of an uphill climb to get from the parking areas to the sunflowers and the farmland, so expect that. This is a free event, so feel free to donate to the conservancy, cheapskates! There's as much or as little walking here as you want. Get a few pics of the sunflowers and go home, or walk around the whole sun field, walk past the oak savannah and prairie, or walk around the whole farm (which is quite a hike)! Bring water, bring a blanket, bring a picnic!

I cannot believe I didn't know this hidden gem existed. Their sunflower days are absolutely…read morestunning! It's definitely an attraction close to Madison that's not to be missed. To be honest, I have only ever been to the Pope Farm Conservancy for the sunflowers. But it seems like a beautiful place to stop year round for a hike or to cross country ski. It gets crowded during their sunflower days, so it's best to go during off hours. The Conservancy does an excellent job marking off parking spots and directing traffic. They have plenty of volunteers to answer questions and everything appears to be very well run and organized. People come to take family photos, have a picnic, or just go for a nice stroll to watch the sunset over a beautiful field of sunflowers. However, leave your dog at home because pets are not allowed. The sunflower days attraction is free however donations are accepted. Definitely worth a trip to the far west side of Madison.

Really liked this quick stop for a jaunty little hike before moving on our way…read more Loved the views and thankfully it was pretty quiet on a Monday afternoon. A bit of an uphill climb at the start but very manageable, especially compared to nearby Devil's Lake. There is a decent sized parking lot at the bottom of a hill driving in so you can usually find a spot. Recommend if you're in the area!

It's a fairly steep, but not too long hike to get to the top, but wow, the view is great. It's not…read moretoo busy up there, but I would not bring kids since there are cliffs there. My wife was nervous when I even got close to an edge.