The church owns the very scenic 115-acre adjacent former farm consisting of 35 acres total of farm fields (3 old fields), 22 acres of wetland with a class 2 Trout stream (Vermont Creek) flowing through it and the remainder mostly in woodlands. The farm fields have been planted in prairie grasses and flowers with almost […]
Tag: Cross Country Skiing
Arena Pines and Sand Barrens State Natural Area
Arena Pines and Sand Barrens features a somewhat overgrown example of sand barrens vegetated with jack pine, black oak, and river birch. Found along the edge of numerous sand blows scattered throughout the site is the evergreen false heather shrub, which helps stabilize the shifting sands. Also present are a diversity of dry prairie species […]
Devil’s Lake State Park
Founded in 1911, Devil’s Lake is the third oldest state park in Wisconsin, the largest and the most visited. Devil’s Lake offers magnificent views from 500-foot quartzite bluffs overlooking a 360-acre lake. Enjoy lakeshore picnic areas, sandy swimming beaches, 29 miles of hiking trails, a variety of camp sites, or ease into the backcountry solitude. […]
Governor Dodge State Park
Governor Dodge State Park is one of the state’s largest parks, with 5,350 acres of steep hills, bluffs and deep valleys plus two lakes and a waterfall. Located in Wisconsin’s scenic Driftless area, Governor Dodge offers camping, picnicking, hiking, canoeing, biking, hunting, fishing, off-road biking, cross-country skiing and horseback riding opportunities. (Wisconsin Department of Natural […]
Black Earth Creek Public Fishing Access @ Salmo Pond
Black Earth Creek Fishery Area is a pleasant mix of a high quality trout stream flowing within a wide green agricultural valley. The parcels typically mix stream stretches with adjoining riparian corridors that grade from a wet margin of jewelweed, aster, and reed canary grass into shrub, then sparse woodlot, then pasture or cultivated crop. […]
Stewart Lake County Park
Stewart Lake County Park was established in 1935, making it the first county Park in Dane County. Within this 191-acre park is shimmering Stewart Lake, an artificial lake on spring-fed tributary of Moen Creek. The lake offers a challenge for trout and bass fishing. (Dane County Parks Department) […]
Black Earth Creek Public Fishing Access @ Mazomanie
Black Earth Creek Fishery Area is a pleasant mix of a high quality trout stream flowing within a wide green agricultural valley. The parcels typically mix stream stretches with adjoining riparian corridors that grade from a wet margin of jewelweed, aster, and reed canary grass into shrub, then sparse woodlot, then pasture or cultivated crop. […]
Indian Lake County Park
At 483 acres, Indian Lake County Park is one of Dane County’s largest parks. A winding trail leads to a historic chapel built in 1857, located on a hilltop with a breathtaking view of the lake and surrounding valley. Trails provide access around the entire lake, offering many recreational opportunities including access to a log […]
Blue Mounds County Wildlife Area
This 107-acre conservation area lies adjacent to Brigham County Park and likewise offers scenic views of the Wisconsin River Valley and the Baraboo Hills to the northwest. […]
Wolf Run Trail
For the first time in more than 150 years, Black Earth Creek once again flows freely from its headwaters in the City of Middleton through the rich agricultural lands and prairie remnants of Northwest Dane County to Blue Mounds Creek near its confluence with the Wisconsin River. Wolf Run Trail, part of a multi-use regional […]
Military Ridge State Trail
The 40-mile Military Ridge State Trail, in Iowa and Dane counties, connects Dodgeville and Madison by way of an 1855 military route between Verona and Dodgeville. The trail runs along the southern borders of Governor Dodge and Blue Mound state parks passing by agricultural lands, woods, wetlands and prairies. There are several observation platforms adjacent […]
Ice Age Trail Indian Lake Segment
From its starting point on STH-19 at the Indian Lake County Park eastern entrance the Indian Lake Segment follows the park entrance road to the main parking area. A trail from the parking area leads about 0.5 miles to historic St. Mary of the Oaks Chapel (look for signage behind and to the right of […]
Phil’s Woods County Natural Resource Area
Phil’s Woods is named for Philip LaFollette, three-time Governor of Wisconsin. His widow, Isabel LaFollette, donated Phil’s Woods to the State of Wisconsin. It was too small for development as a State Park so the property was passed on to Dane County Parks as a natural resource area. You may park and walk to view […]
Hickory Hill Conservancy Village of Cross Plains
The Hickory Hill Conservancy, part of the Ice Age Trail Cross Plains segment, starts at the end of Hickory Hill Street in Cross Plains, where a gate crosses an access road that leads north uphill to the Hickory Hill Conservation Park. Departing from the access road, the segment enters a former agricultural field being restored […]
Pope Farm Conservancy Town of Middleton
Located between Blackhawk, Old Sauk and Twin Valley Roads, this 105-acre property was purchased as a natural area for educational interpretation (with over 40 interpretive signs), walking trails and wildlife viewing. The conservancy is permanently restricted as open space and includes seven miles of walking trails, six prairie/savannah restoration areas, a State Capitol viewing area, […]