3 Places Wisconsin Locals Hope Tourists Never Discover

Have you ever wished you could enjoy some of the Badger State's most beautiful spots without having to fight a crowd to do so? I know I've been there. Fortunately, there are plenty of relatively undiscovered gems in Wisconsin that are just as beautiful as their more popular counterparts but don't see nearly as many visitors. These are places where we can go to enjoy our state's wonders and maybe even have a moment or two to ourselves. Here's a trio of them that I love.

1. Crex Meadows State Wildlife Area - Grantsburg

Wisconsinites are spoiled for choice with a wealth of wildlife watching opportunities throughout the state, some of which are nationally and even world-renowned, such as Horicon Marsh and the adjacent Horicon National Wildlife Refuge, where vast flocks of migrating waterfowl stop each spring and fall. Likewise, Necedah National Wildlife Refuge is the summer home and nesting ground of critically endangered whooping cranes, one of the rarest birds in North America. Each year, these places attract visitors in numbers that may seem to rival the birds.

Wildlife lovers in the know, though, head to western Wisconsin's Crex Meadows State Wildlife Area for the spectacle of thousands of migrating sandhill cranes—and the occasional whooper—when tourists are packing the other spots. It can sometimes be busy during migration season, but nothing like you'd see at Horicon. During the rest of the year, it's home to nesting birds, such as sandhills and trumpeter swans, as well as winter visitors, including northern owl species. Numerous reptiles and mammals also inhabit or visit the preserve.

2. The Bayfield Peninsula

There's no denying the charm and beauty of Wisconsin's Door Peninsula. It's so charming and beautiful, in fact, that in addition to the folks that live there, more than 2.5 million visitors make the trip to Door County every year. In fact, so many tourists descend on the peninsula that officials lower speed limits in several places throughout the county during peak season. While this is not a bad problem to have—tourism is the area's largest industry—it can feel like too much for Wisconsinites.

A gorgeous alternative to Door County is the Bayfield Peninsula on Lake Superior, which is arguably as—if not more—beautiful, but it sees only a fraction of the annual visitors that its Lake Michigan counterpart receives (it also has a fraction of the mini-golf courses). As you would in Door County, you'll find charming Great Lakes villages, like Cornucopia, Bayfield, and Washburn, as well as La Pointe on Madeline Island. What this peninsula has that Door County does not is Apostle Islands National Lakeshore, the crown jewel of National Park Service units in the Badger State. Sure, Bayfield can get crowded during peak season—but it's not Door County crowded, and that's a good thing.

3. South Bluff/Devil's Nose State Natural Area - Baraboo

Devil's Lake State Park is the most visited among Wisconsin's state parks, which you may have experienced if you've ever tried to visit and park in the morning on a summer or fall weekend. The park's popularity, of course, is well deserved, with its bowl of rugged bluffs surrounding and highlighting a beautiful lake.

Did you know, though, that you can explore the same Baraboo Hills topography and views of Devil's Lake itself from a natural area that's not part of the park itself? Well, you can. Instead of braving the crowds at the busy state park, opt for a hike at South Bluff/Devil's Nose State Natural Area, which is immediately adjacent to the south side of the state park. You won't have the same infrastructure, of course, but you may also have the place to yourself.

Do you love these Badger State gems as much as we do? What are some other places locals love in Wisconsin? We'd love to hear about your favorites on our Nomination page.

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