Siren, Wisconsin

While visiting the charming Northwoods town of Siren, I detoured for a hike on the Gandy Dancer Trail segment.   This trail was constructed to connect townships using old railroad beds.   Even the name honors the rhythmic, synchronized efforts of the workers in their rail nailing dance.   In tota...

The Crex Meadows Wildlife Area is part of Wisconsin’s scenic Indianhead Country - located just north of Grantsburg. It’s 30,000 acres make it one of the largest wildlife areas in the state. Over 270 species of birds, 86 butterflies, and 720 different plant species call Crex Meadows home. Various ...

Getting There:The entrance to St. Croix State Park is located 15 miles east of Hinckley, Minnesota on Highway 48. It is another 5 miles to the Park Office.The Paved Bicycle Path:The path is 5.5 miles long one-way and runs from the campground to Lake Clayton Beach Picnic Area. Be sure to stop at...

Wild River State Park, located about 55 miles northeast of Minneapolis, is a fantastic getaway and caters to a wide-variety of visitors. If you have an afternoon and are looking for an easy hike through a variety of natural environments, take The River Trail north, then follow the Old Lodging Tra...

Summit Rock, River Bluff and Echo Canyon Loop is a loop trail that takes you by a lake located near Dresser, Wisconsin.

Situated on top of a series of craggy bluffs, Interstate State Park is a small park that offers amazing views of the St. Croix River gorge. With a pine forest ecosystem usually only found a hundred miles north of the park, the lichen encrusted rocks and spring wildflowers offer the Northwoods exp...

Just a short hike to the waterfall, this is a great spot to pull off on your way to the Park with many other trails to spend a whole day on if you wish to stay off the beaten path.  Getting there:  Going North through Osceola on HWY 35 Turn left on River Rd (county Rd S) For 1 mile. There is a sm...

Just off of Highway 35 near Sandstone, Minnesota, Banning State Park provides several areas to explore including the Kettle River, Historic Sandstone Quarry, and my favorite - Wolf Creek Falls. While the Kettle River is a popular attraction for hikers as well as kayakers, the scenic hike to Wolf...

The Quarry Loop is an easy hike in Banning State Park, which draws its name from the abandoned sandstone quarry you pass along the way. The trail's rival attraction is the whitewater of the Kettle River, visible as you hike, including the Blueberry Slide, Mother's Delight, and Dragon's Tooth rapi...

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 t...

From the Visitor Center Parking lot follow the Riverside Trail along the side of the lot and down the main road. You will go under the bridge and while walking next to the road you can see great views of Lake Alice. When you reach the bottom of the hill, turn right to walk alongside the lake. On ...

Roughly an hour north of the Minneapolis-Saint Paul Metro, is William O’Brien State Park. Located on the Saint Croix River, this park is a great place for just getting away from the city lights and into nature. The park has two campgrounds, which are the Savanna and Riverway campgrounds. Eac...