I will be relocating from the Denver area to Milwaukee, WI this weekend and my schedule allows me about 1.5 days (Sunday through Monday) to explore north-central Wisconsin. I'll be entering the state at La Crosse after spending a few hours exploring Great River Bluffs State Park in Minnesota. After lunch in La Crosse, I plan on heading up to the Stevens Point area to visit the George Mead Wildlife Area. I would love some suggestions/recommendations for the following:
1. Regarding places to see along the way from La Crosse to Stevens Point and around the Stevens Point Area (specifically on the places I've mentioned and on others in the area).
2. On Monday I'll make my way down to Madison and then Milwaukee, so if there are any state parks or other places worth checking out on the way.
3. Camping facilities in the Stevens Point area. I only camp with my car (i.e. don't have a tent), so would like to find a good place for a night of camping, preferably with at least a flush toilet available.
Eric, I believe there is camping near Rib Mountain, maybe 1/2hr from Point. If you are relocating permanently, there are a number of prime areas no more than 2hrs. drive away including Horicon Marsh Area, a major stopping point for migratory birds, Spring Green, and of course the lakefront and shoreline. You won't be disappointed if you stop at the Point brewery(Breakfast of Champions). Welcome to the Midwest. I hope you get this in time. Bruce
As Bruce mentioned, Rib Mountain State Park is about a half hour north of Stevens Point. But, I've not been there, so can't say yea or nay.
A good general resource on camping, hiking, etc is: http://www.wisparks.com/
I'd encourage you to get off of the interstate (that's my assumption!) at the Wisconsin Dells and head west on Highway 12 to Baraboo. There are several places of interest in that area - Devil's Lake State Park, which is one of the Wisconsin's flagship state parks; Pewits Nest State Natural Area (http://www.timmulholland.com/places/pewitsnest/index.html) is about two miles west of Baraboo, but you'll need directions (it's on Skillet Creek) and it's an easy hike. There are also several nice places on the north side (the Upper Dells, http://www.timmulholland.com/places/dells/index.html) of Wisconsin Dells that are really beautiful and less touristy. Further west of Baraboo is Natural Bridge State Park, but I'd save that for another time. The Nature Conservancy has numerous properties in the Baraboo Hills that are very worthy of exploration - Baxter's Hollow, Pine Hollow, Honey Creek, Hemlock Draw. There's also Parfrey's Glen, which is near Devil's Lake but may be closed due to flood damage, and Durwards Glen, which is east (I think) of Baraboo.
If you're relocating permanently, please give me a shout!
Just a few minutes west of the Wisconsin Dells on Highway 12 is the International Crane Foundation - a great photo opportunity, easy to find, certain to be there...
Thanks for all of the great information!! It's going to be hard to make a decision of where to go! My move to Milwaukee is for at least a year, as my postdoctoral fellowship in geriatric psychology runs from this August to next August. So, I'll have a lot of time to explore all the great things Wisconsin has to offer!
I'll post pictures of my adventures once I get myself set up in Milwaukee.
Discussion
4 repliesI will be relocating from the Denver area to Milwaukee, WI this weekend and my schedule allows me about 1.5 days (Sunday through Monday) to explore north-central Wisconsin. I'll be entering the state at La Crosse after spending a few hours exploring Great River Bluffs State Park in Minnesota. After lunch in La Crosse, I plan on heading up to the Stevens Point area to visit the George Mead Wildlife Area. I would love some suggestions/recommendations for the following:
1. Regarding places to see along the way from La Crosse to Stevens Point and around the Stevens Point Area (specifically on the places I've mentioned and on others in the area).
2. On Monday I'll make my way down to Madison and then Milwaukee, so if there are any state parks or other places worth checking out on the way.
3. Camping facilities in the Stevens Point area. I only camp with my car (i.e. don't have a tent), so would like to find a good place for a night of camping, preferably with at least a flush toilet available.
Thanks for your time
There are LOTS of places to potentially visit! ;)
As Bruce mentioned, Rib Mountain State Park is about a half hour north of Stevens Point. But, I've not been there, so can't say yea or nay.
A good general resource on camping, hiking, etc is: http://www.wisparks.com/
I'd encourage you to get off of the interstate (that's my assumption!) at the Wisconsin Dells and head west on Highway 12 to Baraboo. There are several places of interest in that area - Devil's Lake State Park, which is one of the Wisconsin's flagship state parks; Pewits Nest State Natural Area (http://www.timmulholland.com/places/pewitsnest/index.html) is about two miles west of Baraboo, but you'll need directions (it's on Skillet Creek) and it's an easy hike. There are also several nice places on the north side (the Upper Dells, http://www.timmulholland.com/places/dells/index.html) of Wisconsin Dells that are really beautiful and less touristy. Further west of Baraboo is Natural Bridge State Park, but I'd save that for another time. The Nature Conservancy has numerous properties in the Baraboo Hills that are very worthy of exploration - Baxter's Hollow, Pine Hollow, Honey Creek, Hemlock Draw. There's also Parfrey's Glen, which is near Devil's Lake but may be closed due to flood damage, and Durwards Glen, which is east (I think) of Baraboo.
If you're relocating permanently, please give me a shout!
Enjoy,
Tim!
I had another thought...
Just a few minutes west of the Wisconsin Dells on Highway 12 is the International Crane Foundation - a great photo opportunity, easy to find, certain to be there...
Tim!
Thanks for all of the great information!! It's going to be hard to make a decision of where to go! My move to Milwaukee is for at least a year, as my postdoctoral fellowship in geriatric psychology runs from this August to next August. So, I'll have a lot of time to explore all the great things Wisconsin has to offer!
I'll post pictures of my adventures once I get myself set up in Milwaukee.
Thanks again!
Eric
PS Tim - great photos on your website !