Wisconsin
Nature|Hiking

The Bay View And Woods Trail In Wisconsin Takes You From The Beach To The Forest And Back

The Apostle Islands offer a stunning wilderness hiking experience on Madeline Island with breathtaking views and diverse landscapes.

Published Sep 29, 2021

Written by 

Ben Jones

The Apostle Islands in Lake Superior are arguably the wildest and most wonderful place you’ll find in Wisconsin. They are gorgeous and unspoiled - in part because they are located miles from the Wisconsin mainland. While some islands require a private boat or kayak to reach, a hike on the most accessible island offers a complete Apostles experience that’s hard to beat. The Bay and Woods Trail will take you to a gorgeous beach, through the forest along a rocky shoreline and back. Lace up your boots: here’s what's waiting for you on the trail.

The Bay View And Woods Trail is located on Madeline Island, the largest of the Apostle Islands - it’s an island with development, which makes it easy to reach. The trail is across the island from the ferry dock so you’ll want to bring a car or a bike.

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Alltrails / Meagan Johnson

The trails are well marked but you may want to download some maps before you come to the island – there’s a good chance you won’t have any cell service. This is still a wilderness hike!

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Jeanne Lynch / Alltrails

The trail skirts the rocky shoreline. You’ll likely see some birds and other wildlife – you may even spot a bear! If you do, it’s unlikely you’ll get more than a quick glimpse as the island’s bears are fairly shy.

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Barbara Blake / Alltrails

You’ll trace the clear cold waters of Lake Superior on your hike and can hear the waves crashing below. There are some nice places to explore the rocks by the water, just off the trail.

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Alltrails / Meagan Johnson

The hike is breathtaking – you’ll hike past gorgeous views of Lake Superior, pass through a dense forest of towering trees, and you’ll finish at a soft sand beach. It’s hard to beat this hike!

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Barbara Blake / Alltrails

The trail is well maintained and a relatively easy hike, including soft dirt trails. It can get a little muddy after a rainstorm so dress appropriately. The whole loop is about 3.5 miles.

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Mari Jacobson / Alltrails

While a brisk and determined hiker could finish this hike in an hour, allow more time – you’ll want to take in the island views and the scenery. This is a hike you’ll want to savor. If you love great trails, here are some more incredible Wisconsin hikes you have to experience.

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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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