Wisconsin has no shortage of wonderful places to discover, including wild waterfalls, expansive marshes, and scenic overlooks. When the leaves fall, the lakes freeze, and a blanket of fresh white snow covers the state, they take on a whole new seasonal beauty. Put on a warm coat and don’t forget your favorite winter travel essentials – here are five winter day trips worth taking in this season.
- Horicon Marsh
Google / Kyle S There are two big seasons that draw people to Horicon Marsh in Dodge and Fond du Lac Counties – spring and fall – to see massive migrations of birds like geese and ducks. The winter is a little quieter, but the marsh has a tranquil, sweeping beauty that’s worth seeing out.
- Big Manitou Falls
Google/ Sweet Berry Farm Just south of the city of Superior, Pattison State Park is home to stunning waterfalls called Big and Little Manitou Falls. When the temperatures drop and the water freezes, they become natural ice sculptures.
- Pewit’s Nest
Google / Deb Mojumder This little gorge in Sauk County was formed by the retreat of the last glacier – it’s beautiful and tranquil in any season but especially so in the winter when the creek freezes.
Google / Steve Gregory If you’re luck, and the conditions are just right, you’ll see some delicate ice formations at Pewit’s Nest.
- Wyalusing State Park
Google / Dillon Novak You can see for miles in this 2,600-acre state park, which is in far western Wisconsin. It has 500-foot bluffs that flanks the Mississippi and in the winter you may spot a few bald eagles.
- Devil’s Lake State Park
Google / Aaron Wolfe This sprawling 9,200-acre state park is located south of Baraboo and it’s one of the state’s most-visited parks. The biggest crowds arrive on summer weekends, but the winter is magical, when the lake begins to freeze and the trails are uncrowded.
Learn more about Wisconsin public lands on the state Department of Natural Resources website. Once you’ve explore the wilds of Wisconsin, you may want to return to civilization – here are some small towns that come alive during the winter season.
Google / Kyle S
There are two big seasons that draw people to Horicon Marsh in Dodge and Fond du Lac Counties – spring and fall – to see massive migrations of birds like geese and ducks. The winter is a little quieter, but the marsh has a tranquil, sweeping beauty that’s worth seeing out.
Google/ Sweet Berry Farm
Just south of the city of Superior, Pattison State Park is home to stunning waterfalls called Big and Little Manitou Falls. When the temperatures drop and the water freezes, they become natural ice sculptures.
Google / Deb Mojumder
This little gorge in Sauk County was formed by the retreat of the last glacier – it’s beautiful and tranquil in any season but especially so in the winter when the creek freezes.
Google / Steve Gregory
If you’re luck, and the conditions are just right, you’ll see some delicate ice formations at Pewit’s Nest.
Google / Dillon Novak
You can see for miles in this 2,600-acre state park, which is in far western Wisconsin. It has 500-foot bluffs that flanks the Mississippi and in the winter you may spot a few bald eagles.
Google / Aaron Wolfe
This sprawling 9,200-acre state park is located south of Baraboo and it’s one of the state’s most-visited parks. The biggest crowds arrive on summer weekends, but the winter is magical, when the lake begins to freeze and the trails are uncrowded.
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Address: Horicon Marsh, Wisconsin, USAAddress: Big Manitou Falls, Superior, WI 54880, USAAddress: Pewit’s Nest, County Rd W, Baraboo, WI 53913, USAAddress: Wyalusing State Park, 13081 State Park Ln, Bagley, WI 53801, USAAddress: Devils Lake, Wisconsin 53913, USA
