Wisconsin
Nature|Hiking

Deathdoor Bluff Trail Is An Easy Hike In Wisconsin That Takes You To An Unforgettable View

Published Apr 26, 2021

Written by 

Ben Jones

A Door County hiking trail will take you to a spot with a view into the past. French sailors called this place Porte des Mortes, or "Door of Death." The history of the name may refer to a deadly Native American battle here hundreds of years ago, or it might have to do with the nature of the waters here - the Lake Michigan passage is treacherous and littered with many shipwrecks.

The spot is as beautiful as it is deadly and it's home to Door Bluff Headlands County Park. The park is at the end of the Door County peninsula and it's smaller and less well-known than the big state parks nearby. But Door Bluff's scenic hiking trail will take you through some pristine woods and a place where you can get an unforgettable view of "the door."

The park is located near the small village of Gills Rock. The trail starts on a road off of a small parking area. The trail is about two miles long.

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Sara Latreille / Alltrails

The park is completely undeveloped except for a small access road. Years ago, there were plans to add restrooms, more trails and a picnic area but local officials decided to keep the park in a natural state instead.

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Angeline Mather / Alltrails

While the park is undeveloped, humans have been here for a very long time. In the 1990s, amateur archeologists discovered ancient pictographs that show red-painted canoes and other figures.

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Greg Schrader / Alltrails

The trail will take you through birch forests and wildflowers. A survey once found 46 species of birds and 92 species of flora in the park.

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Nicole Steck / Alltrails

Steep limestone cliffs along the lakeshore are beautiful, but be careful, especially in the winter when the park is covered in snow and ice.

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Hallyjade Kennedy / Alltrails

The view of Hedgehog Harbor and Green Bay is amazing. At this spot, it's believed the Washington Island Indians (Iroquois), fought the mainland Indians (Potawatomi) in a battle that claimed many lives. Years later, the schooner Fleetwing sunk in 1888. The wreck is located just offshore.

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Heather Cameron / Alltrails

Because there are no facilities at the park, prepare accordingly, so you can fully enjoy every bit of this 155-acre natural area. Looking for more amazing Wisconsin hikes? Here are 12 more you should explore.

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Nature|Hiking

The Parking Lot for This Waterfall Hike in Wisconsin Fills up Fast on Weekends

Discover the beauty of Willow River State Park in Wisconsin. Learn tips to avoid crowds and enjoy hiking, camping, and winter activities in this scenic park.

Published Sep 26, 2024

Written by 

Trent Jonas

With so many incredible hiking destinations in Wisconsin to choose from, it's kind of amazing that any of them are particularly crowded - I mean, there's room for everybody, right? Unfortunately that's not always the case, and some places, like Devil's Lake State Park, are particularly notorious for their parking boondoggles, with hikers and other visitors battling for spots in lots that can be full as early as 9 a.m. Another place where the parking lot can feel more like Costco at Christmas than a peaceful nature getaway is Willow River State Park, near Hudson, WI - especially on weekends. Even so, it's beautiful and absolutely worth visiting - you just need to know when to go.

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Jenny Cheney/AllTrails

I think Willow River is one of the most beautiful state parks in Wisconsin - and we have a lot of gorgeous parks. That's certainly one reason for its popularity. With more than 2,800 acres of mixed terrain, from forest to rushing river, folks flock to this park for outdoor fun

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Angela Miklasz/AllTrails

It's close proximity to the Twin Cities metro area in Minnesota is another factor. On a good traffic day, you can get to Willow River State Park from St. Paul, MN in half an hour. The eastern suburbs are even closer. So, on summer weekend days, you can expect to see plenty of people in the parking lots and on the trails.

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Madelyn Cary/AllTrails

The parking lots and trails closest to Willow Falls tend to be the busiest.

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Jennifer Porzondek/AllTrails

So, if you go on a weekend, you should try and arrive as early as possible, or park far away from the falls. Otherwise, plan on visiting during the week or the shoulder seasons - although autumn is busy, as well, because of leaf peeping. The park is also lovely in the winter, when snowshoeing and cross-country skiing are popular. Come at one of these times, and you may just have the trails - and the falls - to yourself.

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Kevin Chard/AllTrails

If you haven't made it over to Willow River State Park, I highly recommend doing so - especially if you can get there on a weekday. Otherwise, pack some patience; it's worth it. There's a lot more to this wonderful park than just its waterfall, though. With 13 miles of trails across terrain ranging from prairie to forest, as well as rock climbing routes and the Willow River Water Trail, this park is a hot spot for outdoor adventure in Wisconsin. Camping is available in the park, with more than 150 sites across three different campgrounds. Visit the Willow River State Park website for camping information or to make reservations. AllTrails Plus is a great resource for trail maps and to preview the best hikes in the park.

Have you hiked in Willow River State Park near Hudson, WI? Tell us about your experience, and be sure to clue us in on your favorite tips and tricks for avoiding crowds in the parking lots or on trail.

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Nature|Hiking

The Audubon Center in Wisconsin Where You’ll See Dozens of Bird Species in a Single Afternoon

Explore Schlitz Audubon Nature Center in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, a prime birdwatching destination with diverse habitats, hiking trails, and year-round activities.

Published Sep 25, 2024

Written by 

Trent Jonas

With all the avian traffic we get here in Wisconsin - especially during the spring and fall migrations - you'd be forgiven if you occasionally thought of us more as the Birder State than the Badger State. Folks follow these seasonal visitors and winged residents, flocking to internationally renowned spots like Horicon Marsh and Crex Meadows. But there are also plenty of smaller, more intimate locales that see plenty of ornithological action - and fewer clambering visitors - in Wisconsin. One such place is Schlitz Audubon Nature Center, which is located right in Milwaukee.

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Drew Saunders/Flickr

Don't get me wrong - Schlitz Audubon Nature Center is pretty well known in the area, but most of the visitors here are Milwaukee locals and not out-of-staters from Ohio or, worse, those flocking Illinois birders (just kidding - we love you guys!). This makes for a more laid-back, birding experience. Fortunately, the birds, themselves, are all business here. The center is located along the Lake Michigan flyway and within a designated Important Bird Area. More than 262 species have been recorded at Schlitz Audubon over the last 50 or so years.

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Trent Jonas/Only In Your State

Many of these are migratory, like the 36 warbler species that've been identified on nature center property. Others are year-round residents that enjoy the wide array of diverse habitats - from Lake Michigan shoreline to marsh and wetlands to hardwood forest - the center's 185 acres have to offer.

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Alexandra Taylor/AllTrails

And it's not just birds and birders who enjoy the nature center's six miles of hiking trails that include accessible, paved pathways, wooded footpaths, and boardwalks. Plenty of other animals and nature lovers of all sorts enjoy time at Schlitz Audubon. There's even a 60-foot observation tower that you can climb for your own bird's-eye view of the area. Check out AllTrails Plus for trail information and previews.

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Trent Jonas/Only In Your State

The nature center's trails are open daily, 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., throughout the year, so you can take advantage of this unique space in all seasons - even winter. There are plenty of resident birds and animals that overwinter here, like the eastern screech owl, and snowshoes are available for use on the trails.

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Trent Jonas/Only In Your State

There is a small entrance fee for non-members who wish to enjoy the facilities. But if you ask me, this Milwaukee gem is a birder's paradise in Wisconsin. In spring and fall, you can literally see dozens of birds species on a single visit. For more information, check out Schlitz Audubon Nature Center's website.

Have you visited Schlitz Audubon Nature Center in Milwaukee? Let us know in the comments, and be sure to tell us some of your favorite birding spots in Wisconsin.

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