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      • 116th Street - Oak Leaf Trail - West Allis, WI
      • Bald Bluff Nature Trail - Palmyra, WI
      • Emma Carlin Trail - Palmyra, WI
      • Ice Age Visitor Center Nature Trail - Campbellsport, WI
      • Kettle Moraine Low Prairie Natural Area - Eagle, WI
      • Kohl Park Hiking Trail - Milwaukee, WI
      • Koshkonong Effigy Mounds - Fort Atkinson, WI
      • Paradise Springs Nature Trail - Eagle, WI
      • Scuppernong Springs Nature Trail - Eagle, WI
      • Seminary Woods - St. Francis, WI
      • Stute Springs Nature Trail - Eagle, WI
      • Washington Avenue Nature Trail - Sheboygan, WI
    • Local Parks >
      • Big Hill Park - Beloit, WI
      • Bratt Woods - Grafton, WI
      • Brown Deer Park - Brown Deer, WI
      • Carver-Roehl County Park - Clinton, WI
      • Cliffside Park - Caledonia, WI
      • Copernicus Park - Milwaukee, WI
      • Cudahy Woods - Cudahy, WI
      • Dorothy Carnes Park - Fort Atkinson, WI
      • Elm Grove Village Park - Elm Grove, WI
      • Endicott Park - Brookfield, WI
      • Estabrook Park - Milwaukee, WI
      • Falk Park - Oak Creek, WI
      • Franklin Woods - Franklin, WI
      • Glacier Hills County Park - Hubertus, WI
      • Grant Park - South Milwaukee
      • Greenfield Park - West Allis
      • Grobschmidt Park - Milwaukee, WI
      • Hales Corners Park, Ben Hunt Prairie and Cabin, Seneca Hale Summer Kitchen, Cobb Park - Hales Corners, WI
      • Harnischfeger Park - Ixonia, WI
      • Hartung Park - Wauwatosa, WI
      • High Grove Park - New Berlin, WI
      • Homestead Hollow County Park - Germantown, WI
      • Hoyt Park - Wauwatosa, WI
      • Jacobus Park - Wauwatosa, WI
      • Korth Park - Lake Mills, WI
      • John Muir Memorial County Park - Town of Buffalo, WI
      • Alan Kulwicki Park - Greenfield, WI
      • Lime Kiln Park - Menomonee Falls
      • Lincoln Park - Glendale, WI
      • Lion's Park - New Berlin, WI
      • Lizard Mound County Park - Farmington, WI
      • Malone Park - New Berlin, WI
      • Mangan Woods - Franklin, WI
      • Mary Knoll Park - Brookfield, WI
      • McCarty Park - West Allis, WI
      • Monarch Trail / County Grounds Park - Milwaukee, WI
      • Mush Ko Se Day Park - Fort Atkinson, WI
      • Muskego Boardwalk Nature Trail - Muskego, WI
      • Muskego Park - Muskego, WI
      • Natureland County Park - Whitewater, WI
      • Nitschke Mounds County Park - Burnett, WI
      • Prairie Springs Park - Pleasant Prairie, WI
      • Richfield Historical Park - Richfield, WI
      • Rivers Edge Park - Menomonee Falls, WI
      • Sandy Knoll County Park - Town of Trenton, WI
      • Scout Lake Park - Greendale, WI
      • Simmons Woods Park - Pewaukee, WI
      • South Shore Park - Bayview, WI
      • Three Bridges Park - Milwaukee, WI
      • Turtle Creek Parkway / Tiffany Bridge - Clinton, WI
      • Virmond Park - Mequon, WI
      • Warnimont Park - Cudahy, WI
      • Washington Park - Milwaukee, WI
      • White River County Park - Walworth County
      • Whitnall Park - Franklin, WI
      • Wind Point Lighthouse - Racine, WI
    • Nature Preserves >
      • Badertscher Preserve - Muskego, WI
      • Baxter's Hollow State Natural Area - Sauk City, WI
      • Beulah Bog - East Troy, WI
      • Blue Heron Wildlife Sanctuary - Saukville, WI
      • Cedarburg Bog - Saukville, WI
      • Chiwaukee Prairie - Kenosha, WI
      • Robert O Cook Arboretum - Janesville, WI
      • Crooked Creek Nature Preserve - East Troy, WI
      • Deer Creek Sanctuary - New Berlin, WI
      • Emerald Preserve - Oak Creek, WI
      • Engel Conservation Area - Muskego, WI
      • Faville Grove Sanctuary - Lake Mills, WI
      • Forest Beach Migratory Preserve - Belgium, WI
      • Garrison's Glen - Mequon, WI
      • Genesee Oak Opening and Fen - Mukwonago, North Prairie WI
      • Gordon Tabor Memorial Woods - Caledonia, WI
      • Grasslyn Nature Preserve - Mequon, WI
      • Grootemaat Nature Preserve - Greendale, WI
      • Hartland Marsh Preserve - Village of Hartland, WI
      • Hawthorn Glen - Milwaukee, WI
      • Horicon Marsh State Wildlife Area - Horicon, WI
      • Huiras Lake Natural Area - Fredonia, WI
      • Kishwauketoe Nature Conservancy - Williams Bay, WI
      • Lac Lawrann Conservancy - West Bend, WI
      • Lakeshore Nature Preserve - Madison, WI
      • Ledge View Nature Center - Chilton, WI
      • Lion's Den Nature Preserve - Grafton, WI
      • Lulu Lake Nature Preserve - East Troy, WI
      • Maywood Environmental Park - Sheboygan, WI
      • Mequon Nature Preserve - Mequon, WI
      • Ned Hollister Wetlands Conservancy - Delavan, WI
      • Newell and Ann Meyer Nature Preservel - Eagle, WI
      • Pheasant Branch Creek Conservancy - Middleton, WI
      • Pickerel Lake Fen Preserve - East Troy, WI
      • Pope Farm Conservancy - Verona, WI
      • Price Park Conservancy - Elkhorn, WI
      • Riverbend Nature Center - Racine, WI
      • Riveredge Nature Center - Saukville, WI
      • Sauk Creek Nature Preserve - Port Washington, WI
      • Schlitz Audubon Nature Center - Milwaukee, WI
      • Spirit Lake Nature Preserve - Mequon, WI
      • Spruce Lake Bog - Campbellsport, WI
      • Stigler Nature Preserve - New Berlin, WI
      • Trinity Creek Wetland Habitat - Mequon, WI
      • Vernon Marsh Wildlife Area - Mukwonago, WI
      • Vernon Wildlife Area - Waterford, WI
      • Wadewitz Nature Camp - Waterford, WI
      • Wehr Nature Center - Franklin, WI
      • Wehmhoff Woodland Preserve - Burlington, WI
      • Whitnall School Forest - Greenfield, WI
      • Zeloski Marsh - Cambridge, WI
    • State Parks >
      • Aztalan State Park
      • Bong State Recreation Area - Kansasville, WI
      • C. D. Besadny Fish and Wildlife Area - Kewaunee, WI
      • Cadiz Springs State Park - New Glarus, WI
      • Devil's Lake State Park - Baraboo, WI
      • Harrington Beach State Park - Belgium, WI
      • Havenwoods State Forest - Milwaukee, WI
      • High Cliff State Park - Sherwood, WI
      • Kohler Andrae State Park - Sheboygan, WI
      • La Budde State Natural Area - Ice Age Trail Segment - Plymouth, WI
      • Lake Kegonsa State Park - Stoughton, WI
      • Lakeshore State Park - Milwaukee, WI
      • Lapham Peak State Park - Delafield, WI
      • Mauthe Lake State Recreation Area - Campbellsport, WI
      • Pike Lake State Park - Hartford, WI
      • Point Beach State Forest - Two Rivers, WI
    • Sculpture Gardens and Conservancies >
      • Bobrowitz Sculpture Garden - Colgate, WI
      • Boerner Botanical Gardens - Hales Corners, WI
      • Franconia Sculpture Park - Shafer, MN
      • James Tellen Woodland Sculpture Garden - Town of Wilson, WI
      • Labyrinth Garden Earth Sculpture - West Bend, WI
      • Mitchell Park Horticultural Conservancy - Milwaukee, WI
      • Nick Engelbert's Grandvi - Hollandale, WI
      • M. Schettl Sales - Sculpture and Oddities
      • Rotary Botanical Gardens - Janesville, WI
    • Cemeteries >
      • Calvary Cemetery - Milwaukee, WI
      • Forest Home Cemetery - Milwaukee, WI
      • Highland Memorial Park Cemetery - New Berlin, WI
      • La Belle Cemetery - Oconomowoc, WI
      • New Berlin Center Cemetery - New Berlin, WI
      • Oak Hill Cemetery - Lake Geneva, WI
  • Gardening for Wildlife
    • The Eco-Friendly Lawn
    • Welcome to the Firefly Show
    • Birdbaths in the Habitat
  • Detours, Links & More
    • Bay Beach Wildlife Sanctuary - Green Bay, WI
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Winter in Wisconsin (Get Outside!)

12/28/2017

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Winter has, indeed, arrived!  The golden tones of autumn have faded, and the bright whites and subdued grays of winter have taken over.  Soon the holidays will be over, and, for me at least, the winter blues will settle in.  I'm vowing not to let them win this year.

There is so much beauty here in Wisconsin. It's a shame to let cold and snow keep us from it.  In fact, the cold and snow offer a different view of the state altogether.  While the temptation to huddle deep under blankets on frigid days is hard to resist, I'm going to layer up the warmth, grab my camera, and get outside for some fresh air and frozen beauty.  I have a list of places I want to hike over the next few frigid months, places I haven't been in winter; but I thought I would share a few places I've already been.  So bundle up and get outside.  If only for the reward of a cozy evening and a mug of something hot upon your return. 

Natureland County Park - Whitewater, WI

There are four main trails in the park, totaled together, a bit over 4 miles. The park has a natural spring running through it,  and nestles along the tip of Whitewater Lake. Winter  witnesses flocks of geese taking off at sunset for the south.  ​The Prairie Trail is popular for cross country skiing.  The park has an open sided pavilion available for day use. It is located about an hour southwest of Milwaukee.
 For more information 
click here. 

Badertscher Preserve - Muskego, WI

Just over 20 minutes from Milwaukee, Badertscher Preserve is a great hike for a winter day. The preserve is 104 acres of former farmland, featuring foot trails for hiking the wetlands, woodlands, oak savanna, hills and prairies.  There are plenty of steep hills for climbing, and a scenic, peaceful pond with benches for sitting.  For more information,
​click here. 

Wehr Nature Center - Franklin, WI

Wehr in winter is a sight to behold!  Popular in all seasons, winter brings a different kind of magic to the trails.  Found right here in Whitnall Park, Wehr Nature Preserve has so much to offer.  Including a nature center building with lots of educational information, and a place to warm up after hiking the trails in cold weather.  They also offer all kinds of events in every season, including popular Owl Prowls on winter evenings.  Do yourself a favor and get a yearly family membership.  It's definitely worth it! For more information, click here. 

Cudahy Woods State Natural Area - Cudahy, WI

Cudahy Woods is a favorite spot. Located just south of the airport on College Avenue, it's nearby, and yet, a complete escape!  Hit the trail and once inside, you'll disappear into the woods -- 42 acres of hardwood trees, native plants, songbirds, a stream, and winding trails.  The winter months bring a pristine beauty to the hills and trails here. For more information, click here. 

Beulah Bog - East Troy, WI

Beulah Bog is one of my absolute favorite spots, in every season. Winter brings a special beauty to the hills, trails, and the boardwalk of the bog.  Wildlife sightings are common.
Though the rare plants and wildflowers aren't blooming in winter, the trail offers lots of Tamarack trees, and a view of one of the bog lakes at the end of the boardwalk. For more information, click here. 

Greenfield Park - West Allis, WI

I can never resist putting Greenfield Park on a best of list.  Located in West Allis, Greenfield Park is a stellar visit no matter the season.  There are woodland trails, one large lagoon, two small ponds, and even a waterfall.  The main paths around the lagoon are usually nicely plowed for easy walking, as are the trails linking the parking lots on both the southwest and southeast sides of the park.  Listen carefully and you may hear the call of resident owls.  Deer are frequently seen here, too.  For more information, click here. 
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So, there you have it.  A handful of nature spots that offer plenty of wilderness rewards this winter.  And don't forget to check out your local area parks and travel websites for lots of winter event ideas.  Happy Winter!

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    A traveler, singer,  novice photographer, humane gardener, and nature lover.
    ​I've been keeping closer to home these days, and truly discovering the beauty that lies in The Park Next Door.

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  • Home
    • Contact
    • Sign up for Updates
  • Blog
  • Migration Song - The Magic of Bird Migration
  • Let's Explore
    • Nature Trails >
      • 116th Street - Oak Leaf Trail - West Allis, WI
      • Bald Bluff Nature Trail - Palmyra, WI
      • Emma Carlin Trail - Palmyra, WI
      • Ice Age Visitor Center Nature Trail - Campbellsport, WI
      • Kettle Moraine Low Prairie Natural Area - Eagle, WI
      • Kohl Park Hiking Trail - Milwaukee, WI
      • Koshkonong Effigy Mounds - Fort Atkinson, WI
      • Paradise Springs Nature Trail - Eagle, WI
      • Scuppernong Springs Nature Trail - Eagle, WI
      • Seminary Woods - St. Francis, WI
      • Stute Springs Nature Trail - Eagle, WI
      • Washington Avenue Nature Trail - Sheboygan, WI
    • Local Parks >
      • Big Hill Park - Beloit, WI
      • Bratt Woods - Grafton, WI
      • Brown Deer Park - Brown Deer, WI
      • Carver-Roehl County Park - Clinton, WI
      • Cliffside Park - Caledonia, WI
      • Copernicus Park - Milwaukee, WI
      • Cudahy Woods - Cudahy, WI
      • Dorothy Carnes Park - Fort Atkinson, WI
      • Elm Grove Village Park - Elm Grove, WI
      • Endicott Park - Brookfield, WI
      • Estabrook Park - Milwaukee, WI
      • Falk Park - Oak Creek, WI
      • Franklin Woods - Franklin, WI
      • Glacier Hills County Park - Hubertus, WI
      • Grant Park - South Milwaukee
      • Greenfield Park - West Allis
      • Grobschmidt Park - Milwaukee, WI
      • Hales Corners Park, Ben Hunt Prairie and Cabin, Seneca Hale Summer Kitchen, Cobb Park - Hales Corners, WI
      • Harnischfeger Park - Ixonia, WI
      • Hartung Park - Wauwatosa, WI
      • High Grove Park - New Berlin, WI
      • Homestead Hollow County Park - Germantown, WI
      • Hoyt Park - Wauwatosa, WI
      • Jacobus Park - Wauwatosa, WI
      • Korth Park - Lake Mills, WI
      • John Muir Memorial County Park - Town of Buffalo, WI
      • Alan Kulwicki Park - Greenfield, WI
      • Lime Kiln Park - Menomonee Falls
      • Lincoln Park - Glendale, WI
      • Lion's Park - New Berlin, WI
      • Lizard Mound County Park - Farmington, WI
      • Malone Park - New Berlin, WI
      • Mangan Woods - Franklin, WI
      • Mary Knoll Park - Brookfield, WI
      • McCarty Park - West Allis, WI
      • Monarch Trail / County Grounds Park - Milwaukee, WI
      • Mush Ko Se Day Park - Fort Atkinson, WI
      • Muskego Boardwalk Nature Trail - Muskego, WI
      • Muskego Park - Muskego, WI
      • Natureland County Park - Whitewater, WI
      • Nitschke Mounds County Park - Burnett, WI
      • Prairie Springs Park - Pleasant Prairie, WI
      • Richfield Historical Park - Richfield, WI
      • Rivers Edge Park - Menomonee Falls, WI
      • Sandy Knoll County Park - Town of Trenton, WI
      • Scout Lake Park - Greendale, WI
      • Simmons Woods Park - Pewaukee, WI
      • South Shore Park - Bayview, WI
      • Three Bridges Park - Milwaukee, WI
      • Turtle Creek Parkway / Tiffany Bridge - Clinton, WI
      • Virmond Park - Mequon, WI
      • Warnimont Park - Cudahy, WI
      • Washington Park - Milwaukee, WI
      • White River County Park - Walworth County
      • Whitnall Park - Franklin, WI
      • Wind Point Lighthouse - Racine, WI
    • Nature Preserves >
      • Badertscher Preserve - Muskego, WI
      • Baxter's Hollow State Natural Area - Sauk City, WI
      • Beulah Bog - East Troy, WI
      • Blue Heron Wildlife Sanctuary - Saukville, WI
      • Cedarburg Bog - Saukville, WI
      • Chiwaukee Prairie - Kenosha, WI
      • Robert O Cook Arboretum - Janesville, WI
      • Crooked Creek Nature Preserve - East Troy, WI
      • Deer Creek Sanctuary - New Berlin, WI
      • Emerald Preserve - Oak Creek, WI
      • Engel Conservation Area - Muskego, WI
      • Faville Grove Sanctuary - Lake Mills, WI
      • Forest Beach Migratory Preserve - Belgium, WI
      • Garrison's Glen - Mequon, WI
      • Genesee Oak Opening and Fen - Mukwonago, North Prairie WI
      • Gordon Tabor Memorial Woods - Caledonia, WI
      • Grasslyn Nature Preserve - Mequon, WI
      • Grootemaat Nature Preserve - Greendale, WI
      • Hartland Marsh Preserve - Village of Hartland, WI
      • Hawthorn Glen - Milwaukee, WI
      • Horicon Marsh State Wildlife Area - Horicon, WI
      • Huiras Lake Natural Area - Fredonia, WI
      • Kishwauketoe Nature Conservancy - Williams Bay, WI
      • Lac Lawrann Conservancy - West Bend, WI
      • Lakeshore Nature Preserve - Madison, WI
      • Ledge View Nature Center - Chilton, WI
      • Lion's Den Nature Preserve - Grafton, WI
      • Lulu Lake Nature Preserve - East Troy, WI
      • Maywood Environmental Park - Sheboygan, WI
      • Mequon Nature Preserve - Mequon, WI
      • Ned Hollister Wetlands Conservancy - Delavan, WI
      • Newell and Ann Meyer Nature Preservel - Eagle, WI
      • Pheasant Branch Creek Conservancy - Middleton, WI
      • Pickerel Lake Fen Preserve - East Troy, WI
      • Pope Farm Conservancy - Verona, WI
      • Price Park Conservancy - Elkhorn, WI
      • Riverbend Nature Center - Racine, WI
      • Riveredge Nature Center - Saukville, WI
      • Sauk Creek Nature Preserve - Port Washington, WI
      • Schlitz Audubon Nature Center - Milwaukee, WI
      • Spirit Lake Nature Preserve - Mequon, WI
      • Spruce Lake Bog - Campbellsport, WI
      • Stigler Nature Preserve - New Berlin, WI
      • Trinity Creek Wetland Habitat - Mequon, WI
      • Vernon Marsh Wildlife Area - Mukwonago, WI
      • Vernon Wildlife Area - Waterford, WI
      • Wadewitz Nature Camp - Waterford, WI
      • Wehr Nature Center - Franklin, WI
      • Wehmhoff Woodland Preserve - Burlington, WI
      • Whitnall School Forest - Greenfield, WI
      • Zeloski Marsh - Cambridge, WI
    • State Parks >
      • Aztalan State Park
      • Bong State Recreation Area - Kansasville, WI
      • C. D. Besadny Fish and Wildlife Area - Kewaunee, WI
      • Cadiz Springs State Park - New Glarus, WI
      • Devil's Lake State Park - Baraboo, WI
      • Harrington Beach State Park - Belgium, WI
      • Havenwoods State Forest - Milwaukee, WI
      • High Cliff State Park - Sherwood, WI
      • Kohler Andrae State Park - Sheboygan, WI
      • La Budde State Natural Area - Ice Age Trail Segment - Plymouth, WI
      • Lake Kegonsa State Park - Stoughton, WI
      • Lakeshore State Park - Milwaukee, WI
      • Lapham Peak State Park - Delafield, WI
      • Mauthe Lake State Recreation Area - Campbellsport, WI
      • Pike Lake State Park - Hartford, WI
      • Point Beach State Forest - Two Rivers, WI
    • Sculpture Gardens and Conservancies >
      • Bobrowitz Sculpture Garden - Colgate, WI
      • Boerner Botanical Gardens - Hales Corners, WI
      • Franconia Sculpture Park - Shafer, MN
      • James Tellen Woodland Sculpture Garden - Town of Wilson, WI
      • Labyrinth Garden Earth Sculpture - West Bend, WI
      • Mitchell Park Horticultural Conservancy - Milwaukee, WI
      • Nick Engelbert's Grandvi - Hollandale, WI
      • M. Schettl Sales - Sculpture and Oddities
      • Rotary Botanical Gardens - Janesville, WI
    • Cemeteries >
      • Calvary Cemetery - Milwaukee, WI
      • Forest Home Cemetery - Milwaukee, WI
      • Highland Memorial Park Cemetery - New Berlin, WI
      • La Belle Cemetery - Oconomowoc, WI
      • New Berlin Center Cemetery - New Berlin, WI
      • Oak Hill Cemetery - Lake Geneva, WI
  • Gardening for Wildlife
    • The Eco-Friendly Lawn
    • Welcome to the Firefly Show
    • Birdbaths in the Habitat
  • Detours, Links & More
    • Bay Beach Wildlife Sanctuary - Green Bay, WI