Wisconsin isn’t much known for mountains, but thanks to a glacial episode actually named after the state, we’ve got some amazing cliffs, valleys, and gorges carved out in our terrain. The state itself is a beautiful nod to the heart of the American Midwest, with heaps of outdoor adventure opportunities and some of the best hiking trails in the nation. You may be used to heading to the Wisconsin Dells for waterparks and outlet shopping, but they are actually part of the Wisconsin State Natural Area. The Dells – actually from the French word for narrow – is a five-mile gorge on the Wisconsin River. Check out the Witch’s Gulch canyon hike in Wisconsin if you’re looking for a jaunt out and about in the great Midwestern outdoors. There’s truly no other place like it!

Witch's Gulch is best described as a slot canyon (a gulch is actually a deep V-shaped valley formed by erosion), but it offers some of the coolest, most interesting views in the Dells.
Yelp/Lisa M.
Accessible only by boat tour, Witch's Gulch also has one of the best natural beaches in the state. Visit for a true outdoor adventure in Wisconsin!
Boats dock and let visitors off to inspect the Gulch.
Yelp/Lisa M
The walk itself is a 2-mile loop through a hardwood forest. At points, you can reach out and touch both sides of the narrow canyon.
Signs remind you how precious and unique the area is.
Yelp/Lisa M
Witch's Gulch in Wisconsin is well-known not only in the local community but across the state for its great hiking and exploration opportunities.
The river that cut through the sandstone is still visible, which provides incredible views.
Trip Advisor/Randy R
The rocks are worn away in the twisting, winding pattern of the water as it heads to the Wisconsin River. You'll be able to see years of erosion work right there in the rock.
Walking through Witch's Gulch plays tricks on your eyes.
Yelp/Lisa M
Though it doesn't look like you will even be able to slip through, there's plenty of room to navigate and admire the millions of years old sandstone.

Related Stories

Hike Through A Forest To A Cobblestone Shoreline At Wisconsin's Often-Overlooked Toft Point State Natural Area

Hike Through A Forest To A Cobblestone Shoreline At Wisconsin's Often-Overlooked Toft Point State Natural Area

 11 Incredible Hikes Under 5 Miles Everyone In Wisconsin Should Take

11 Incredible Hikes Under 5 Miles Everyone In Wisconsin Should Take

 Take An Easy Loop Trail Past Some Of The Prettiest Scenery In Wisconsin On Mallard Lake Trail

Take An Easy Loop Trail Past Some Of The Prettiest Scenery In Wisconsin On Mallard Lake Trail
Though it photographs best in daylight, the Gulch can be visited as the sun sets.
Yelp/Lisa M.
Torches are lit and locals have been known to tell a ghost story or two about the area.
The sandstone was formed over millions of years when this part of Wisconsin was the bed of a lake.
Yelp/Lisa M
This hike showcases all the different layers of stone that were created and then compressed during the last ice age.
Moss and other flora grow on and out of the sandstone due to the humid nature of the spot.
Yelp/Lisa M
The greenery makes for stunning pictures and makes this an even more unique canyon in Wisconsin.
In case the sandstone cliffs weren't enough to make you feel small, the forest continues far above your head.
Yelp/Lisa M
It may look like the road to nowhere, but don't let your eyes deceive you.
Trip Advisor/Andrew H
This is a short little canyon hike in Wisconsin that will leave you in awe of nature and aware of your small size in the great scheme of things.

Have any of you been to Witch’s Gulch? Many folks say it’s the highlight of a Dells boat trip, and you can find more information about it right here.

For more great Wisconsin hikes, check out 10 Trails in Wisconsin you Must Take if you Love the Outdoors and 11 Incredible Hikes Under 5 Miles Everyone in Wisconsin Should Take

OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.

More to Explore

canyon hike in Wisconsin

Meghan Kraft | September 14, 2020

Where is the most beautiful place to hike in Wisconsin?

One of the best-known palaces to hike in Wisconsin is along Devil’s Lake. There are multiple hikes that stripe the park, many of them boasting gorgeous views from the bluffs and waterfront. The Ice Age Trail is one of the most popular, and it reaches to the top of the area’s 500-foot bluffs. Devil’s Lake State Park remains one of the most difficult places to hike as well as one of the most popular, so make sure to research the branches of the Ice Age Trail you’re looking to traverse and keep the age of your party in mind.

Where are the best places to see fall foliage in Wisconsin?

Wisconsin itself remains one of the best places to see fall foliage in the United States, but there’s a handful of spots within the state that may give you a better view of the colors than most. Head to Grant Park in South Milwaukee for a wander down the Seven Bridges Trail, or perhaps make your way to the Minocqua and Eagle River. Lake Geneva provides beautiful views, as does Holy Hill in Hubertus and Sturgeon Bay. Head to Washington Island or even Sheboygan, best known as a summer getaway, to add a bit of fun to your fall.

Which hiking trails in Wisconsin are best in the fall?

If you’re looking to hike through Wisconsin during the colorful beauty of autumn, then you don’t want to miss out on a wander down the Parnell Tower Loop or Ice Age Trail. Seven Bridges Trail in Grant Park is a dream, and so is Lapham Peak in the Kettle Moraine State Forest. Each of these locations offers beautiful views with an explosion of autumnal colors that you don’t want to miss.

Related Articles

Explore Wisconsin

Featured Addresses
Witches Gulch, Dell Prairie, WI 53965, USA