154 votes

Parfrey's Glen State Natural Area

Hwy DL, Baraboo, Wisconsin 53561 USA

Budget

Open Now

Mon 6a-8p

Independent
Credit Cards
not Accepted
Public
Restrooms
Outdoor
Seating
No Wifi

“Wisconsin's first State Natural Area”

Parfrey's Glen, Wisconsin's first State Natural Area, is a spectacular gorge deeply incised into the sandstone conglomerate of the south flank of the Baraboo Hills. The exposed Cambrian strata provide excellent opportunities for geological interpretation. The walls of the glen - a Scottish word for a narrow, rocky ravine - are sandstone with embedded pebbles and boulders of quartzite. The moss-covered walls are moist from seepage, cool and shaded.

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Reviewed by
spartandude

4 Reviews
1 Helpful

October 09, 2014

Rated 4.0

I went there shortly after dawn on a Wednesday in October. Lovely place with an ancient feel too it. Do yourself a favor and go when the sun is low and the trees are turning colors. It's quite magical. I will post up pictures later. I hiked toward Devil's lake (+8 miles away), but only made it 5 miles in before turning around and coming back. If you try that stretch of the Ice Age Trail (trail head at the Parfrey's Glen parking lot) know that the first 2 miles are uphill and there are some rocky path sections. Still a lovely time and recommended. The .7 mile Parfrey's Glen hike should be easy for most people.

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Reviewed by
Miles Hungsberg-Perzewski

6 Reviews
5 Helpful

September 26, 2014

Rated 5.0

An absolute joy! Nice and cool when you get in the gorge. Mossy and damp with a fresh water stream flowing all the way from the gorge past the parking lot. They have a hand pump fountain if you'd like any fresh water! You just need a Wisconsin State Park sticker to park in the lot to avoid a possible ticket if and when a State Park worker may go through.

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