Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
a minor canyon, cool and dripping, is all that's required. The area is meticulously studied
by research scientists for its dramatic microclimates and oddball geology. Hundred-foot
canyon walls are studded with enormous quartzite boulders (amazingly having ridden four
milesonglacialwash);thefloraconsistsofhardynorthern-climeplantsandfernsnotfound
elsewhere in the state.
Camping
Wisconsin's granddaddy state park has three campgrounds with 425 sites total, but they're
little more than open-air sites spread overlargeexpanses ofgrass—little seclusion andalot
ofpopularity.Seventysitesstayopeninwinter.Mostarereservable and,giventhepopular-
ity of the place, reservations (888/947-2757,
wisconsinstateparks.reserveamerica.com
, $10
fee) well in advance are advised for weekends. Sites cost $17 to $22 for non-residents and
a $10 daily admission fee is charged.
Information
The
park office
(608/356-8301) is open 8am-11pm in summer, shorter hours the rest of the
year. Wisconsin park admission stickers are required. Note, though, that under the auspices
of the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, the park is also a part of the Ice Age
National Scientific Reserve; thus, federal Golden Eagle, Golden Age, and Golden Access
passports are honored.
Slightly off the beaten track, 15 or so miles southwest of the Dells, stands Reedsburg.
Reedsburgisthesouthernterminusofthegrand22-mile
400 State Trail,
amultipurpose
resurfaced railroad-bed trail spanning from here along the Baraboo River to Elroy, where
you can hook up with the Elroy-Sparta Trail.
For a great side trip, head northwest of town via WI 33 and Woolever Road to tiny
Valton, where you'll find
The Painted Forest,
a venerable old 1890s camp hall. The name
comes from the lovely folk art murals painted from 1897 to 1899 by an itinerant landscape
painter, Ernst Hupeden. Along the way you'll pass La Valle, home to Bundy Hollow Road.
In 2012 Bundy Hollow Road became the state's newest Rustic Road. It's only three miles
long, but it's worth a hop off the road to drive it. From La Valle and WI 33, drive south on
WI 58, then north on Highway G.
