The secret is out on many of Wisconsin’s beautiful parks, but when you’re waiting in line on a park road, or jockeying for parking, you might wonder if you’ve truly getting away from it all. So if you want to enjoy a little peace and solitude, rest assured there are some wonderful natural areas that are just waiting to be discovered! Here’s a rural road trip through the beautiful Wisconsin countryside that will take you to five awesome hidden gems.
The Route
Google Maps The drive travels east to west and covers nearly 100 miles. It takes a little over two hours to do the drive, although you’ll want to allow more time to take in the natural areas on the route.
- Hurias Lake State Natural Area
Google / Amanda Gronenmeyer This 200-acre natural area in Ozaukee County is completely undeveloped – be prepared for a hike through the fields. You’ll be treated to the sight of a pristine 26-acre lake that has a shoreline that’s completely undeveloped. Enjoy the beauty and solitude of a truly wild place.
- Kewaskum Maple-Oak Woods State Natural Area
Google / Aaron Carlson This natural area in Washington County is part of the Kettle Moraine State Forest. The property is actually two separate parcels and both are rich in wildlife and have terrain that was sculpted by glaciers that moved through Wisconsin thousands of years ago.
- Theresa Marsh State Wildlife Area
Google / Beth Wilson This natural area in northwestern Washington and northeastern Dodge counties is as vast as it is beautiful. The property includes 5,500 acres of state-owned land and 300 acres of publicly accessible easements. The property includes wetlands, marsh and forest, as well as the East Branch of the Rock River. If you enjoy bird watching, you’ll love this parkland!
- Paradise Marsh State Wildlife Area
State DNR The next stop on our road trip takes us to a nearly 1,600-acre natural area in Columbia County. The Paradise Marsh State Wildlife Area is covered by sweeping grasslands, vast wetlands, and a lush wooded area. It’s a great chance to see what the landscape of Wisconsin was like, long before settlers developed the land.
- Swan Lake Wildlife Area
Google / Dave Greenberger This 2,500-acre property is just east of Portage in Columbia County. It includes beautiful Swan Lake and it’s a great place to see migratory birds.
Once you’ve taken in this beautiful stretch of Wisconsin via the above rural road trip, here are some more awesome ideas for unforgettable Wisconsin road trips to tackle!
Google Maps
The drive travels east to west and covers nearly 100 miles. It takes a little over two hours to do the drive, although you’ll want to allow more time to take in the natural areas on the route.
Google / Amanda Gronenmeyer
This 200-acre natural area in Ozaukee County is completely undeveloped – be prepared for a hike through the fields. You’ll be treated to the sight of a pristine 26-acre lake that has a shoreline that’s completely undeveloped. Enjoy the beauty and solitude of a truly wild place.
Google / Aaron Carlson
This natural area in Washington County is part of the Kettle Moraine State Forest. The property is actually two separate parcels and both are rich in wildlife and have terrain that was sculpted by glaciers that moved through Wisconsin thousands of years ago.
Google / Beth Wilson
This natural area in northwestern Washington and northeastern Dodge counties is as vast as it is beautiful. The property includes 5,500 acres of state-owned land and 300 acres of publicly accessible easements. The property includes wetlands, marsh and forest, as well as the East Branch of the Rock River. If you enjoy bird watching, you’ll love this parkland!
State DNR
The next stop on our road trip takes us to a nearly 1,600-acre natural area in Columbia County. The Paradise Marsh State Wildlife Area is covered by sweeping grasslands, vast wetlands, and a lush wooded area. It’s a great chance to see what the landscape of Wisconsin was like, long before settlers developed the land.
Google / Dave Greenberger
This 2,500-acre property is just east of Portage in Columbia County. It includes beautiful Swan Lake and it’s a great place to see migratory birds.
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Address: Huiras Lake State Natural Area, 6625 Clover Valley Rd, Fredonia, WI 53021, USAAddress: Kewaskum Maple-Oak Woods State Natural Area, S Mill Rd, Kewaskum, WI 53040, USAAddress: Theresa Marsh Wildlife Area, N8914 N Pole Rd, Theresa, WI 53091, USAAddress: Paradise Marsh State Wildlife AreaAddress: Swan Lake State Wildlife Area, Pardeeville, WI 53954, USA
