Sauk City is a beautiful city to visit – no matter what the season. It is however a favorite winter destination for those who love birds – a power plant just North of town keeps a large pool of the river open in winter which attracts dozens of eagles who fish in it all season. . but that’s not all..
River Ridge Trail. River Ridge Trail is a greenspace/trail winding through the City of Waupaca. By linking parks and other public and private lands, the community and its visitors are able to better appreciate the natural features and beauty of this area. The trail lies in the tension zone between Wisconsin’s northern and southern eco-regions, an area of unique biological diversity. In the future look for signs along the way identifying tree species and major plant and animal communities.
Dr. Evermore’s Sculpture Park. Nothing like you’ve ever seen, this park is filled with giant, whimsical welded creations – steel animals, birds, and spiders made from junk, plus his most famous work the “Forevertron.”
**This post is sponsored by Kayser Chrysler Center**
Devil’s Lake State Park is a favorite for all who love the outdoors – and is the biggest state park in Wisconsin. This 9,217 acre state park is known for its 500-foot-high quartzite bluffs along the 360-acre Devil’s Lake, which was created by a glacier depositing terminal moraines that plugged the north and south ends of the gap in the bluffs thousands of years ago; the sand at the bottom of Devil’s Lake is thought to also be deposited by glaciers. This park has 423 family campsites, 29 miles of hiking trails, 6 miles of bike trails and views that will take your breathe away from atop the park’s 300-foot bluffs.
Beckman Mill & County Park. Have a picnic lunch and sip lemonade by the old mill stream after you tour Beckman Mill. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, Beckman Mill is one of Wisconsin’s only restored, working gristmills. Built in 1868, the mill has been restored to how it looked and operated in its hey days of the 1920’s. On the grounds of the 50-acre Beckman Mill County Park you will see an authentically restored 1868 grist mill, a new dam, mill pond, fish ladder, foot bridge, saw mill display, 1840’s cooperage, visitor center, gift shop, creamery, blacksmith shop, picnic shelter, vintage garden, nature trail and more. A must visit during Progress Days in the Spring and Heritage Days in the Fall. Park open daily for picnics and available for weddings and family reunions. Checkout website for great special events held in the park.
Pier Natural Bridge Park. This site has a very unusual geological feature – a half-mile long “finger” of blocked and layered sandstone rising nearly 60 feet above the flood plain of two merging valleys. This narrow finger is topped by tall pines and covered with green shrubs. The West Branch of the Pine River meets with the Main Branch underneath this rock formation, which forms a Natural Bridge. The Park has two historical markers – one indicating the unique rock formation and the other recognizing the significance of the Blackhawk wars in this area. The park has a man-made tunnel which allows visitors to walk through the rock formation to the West Branch of the Pine River. There are also stairs to walk to the top of the rock formation to view the surrounding area. This 10-acre county park has 6 campsites, two shelters, picnic tables and grills, play equipment, and pit toilets.
