Parfrey’s Glen, located within Devil’s Lake State Park, is a Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources-designated State Natural Area. The glen is a deep gorge cut through the sandstone of the south flank of the Baraboo Hills.
Parfrey Glen is a hidden gem and one of the best hikes I have ever done in Wisconsin, this is where the idea of our adventure day book came from which is available online.
http://www.adventuredaybook.com
parfrey’s glen is 1.7mi leading you to a waterfall, be prepared to hop through the actual glen. it’s not a loop and you will gain a little 450ft elevation. The trail follows the creek to the whole length, most shaded in the spring and summer. in the winter make sure to bring your Yarktrak or microspikes the ice is slippery if you plan to hike to the frozen waterfall. The restrooms are available at the trailhead and picnic tables which is my daughter’s favorite, she likes to sit and have a snack there and and play after a hike.
We have been on this trail with my daughter in the spring, summer, fall, and winter. I was surprised when she wanted to hike and not be carried so she hiked half of the trail and got nervous about climbing the rocks because she had already fallen a couple of times, rather than that I highly recommend this gorge to families, toddlers enjoy this area a lot, it’s easy to manage for them and so much to see or do on this trail.
If your toddler is not able to hike a distance yet I suggest you bring a hiking carrier so much easier, to climb those big boulders and see the actual fall.
We didn’t take lots of pictures of the scenery because when I have my daughter hiking I need to keep an eye on her, you just never know she is 2 and has a mind of her own.
Wisconsin Adventure family Rating: easy-moderate 1.7mil it seems long but it’s short. Wear good waterproof hiking boots always, it’s very fun for kids to climb the logs along the trail, and throw rocks along the stream, and wooden bridges for them to cross.
Here is the address to the location: Parfrey’s Glen State Natural Area
1377 County Rd DL, Merrimac, WI 53561
(608) 266-2621
https://goo.gl/maps/XBgDkusEVM62
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