Wisconsin isn’t known for famous national parks like Yellowstone, Yosemite and Denali, but the state is home to several beautiful places protected by the National Park Service. Located in the upper Midwest and bordered by Lakes Michigan and Superior, the state’s parks offer ample opportunities to explore the rivers, lakes and trails of the region.
Apostle Islands National Lakeshore
Located along the edge of Lake Superior, Apostle Islands includes several islands and a strip of mainland shore. The islands once supported several small communities that survived by fishing and quarrying brownstone that was shipped to major cities like New York. Now, nature has reclaimed much of the islands, but visitors can still see traces of human activity, with structures like lighthouses. The park is mostly covered by second growth forest, but some sections of virgin forest remain. Numerous sea caves and pristine beaches also provide ample opportunities to explore. Visitors can check out the area best via boats and kayaks.
Apostle Islands National Lakeshore Headquarters
415 Washington Ave.
Bayfield, WI 54814
St. Croix National Scenic Riverway
Visitors can float down the pristine and beautiful waters of the St. Croix and Namekagon Rivers for over 250 miles. St. Croix River passes high bluffs, green forests and rock gorges like the rocks in the Dalles, a landmark known for the massive rock formation that looks like a human face. In addition to offering views of rich natural beauty, the river flows past former logging camps and Native American burial grounds. The best way to see the riverway is by getting on a boat, but the park also offers opportunities to camp, hike and bicycle for those more inclined to stay on land.
St. Croix National Scenic Riverway Headquarters
401 N. Hamilton St.
Saint Croix Falls, WI 54024
Ice Age National Scenic Trail
Glaciers covered most of Wisconsin as late as 15,000 years ago. As the glaciers retreated, they carved out most of Wisconsin’s geography. To this day, it’s possible to see the massive boulders left behind after the ice age. Founded in 1980, the Ice Age National Scenic Trail winds across nearly 12,000 miles of Wisconsin. While ambitious trekkers can tackle the entire trail, most hikers opt for smaller segments. Trail heads are numerous and spread across the state. During the winter, the area is a great destination for cross-country skiing and snowshoeing. Since the trail passes through land owned by different agencies and individuals, regulations vary, but camping, biking, horse riding and snowmobiling are possible in some sections.
Ice Age National Scenic Trail Office
700 Rayovac Dr.
Madison, WI 53711
- native rock image by John Sfondilias from Fotolia.com