Day Four Of Our Wisconsin Staycation: Wyalusing State Park

Like many people this year, due to Covid we had to cancel our big vacation plans and take smaller ones closer to home.  One of the things we did was take a "Staycation" in our home state of Wisconsin.  Most of our activities involved just a day trip (see these posts HERE and HERE) but we also did one overnight trip so we could go kayaking on the Kickapoo River, and then visit Wyalusing State Park the next morning. 

Wyalusing State Park is one of Wisconsin's oldest state parks.  It encompasses 2700 acres with amazing overlooks of the confluence of the Wisconsin and Mississippi Rivers. It has 14 miles of hiking trails, and we had plans to hike a lot of those trails, but it ended up being such a hot and humid day we were quite miserable.  So, we hiked only one loop and called it good, planning to come back in the fall when it is cooler to see the colors.  It ended up being a good thing we left early because we had to take quite a long detour home as a major road was closed.

After looking at a map, we decided to do a loop and take the Old Wagon Road Trail to Bluff Trail, and then back to the parking lot.

Wyalusing is located on the very bottom west of our state.  We are rarely in this area, so we really wanted to make it a point to see this park.  It's a shame we couldn't stay longer to explore.

The Old Wagon Trail was originally built to carry wagons from the bluff tops to Walnut Eddy.  It is a very forested trail.  Most of the trail looks like the top two pictures.  We did cross a little stream at one point, and when you near the end of the trail you are actually walking along the side of the bluff and can see pretty views like this through the trees.  I would imagine in the fall/winter when the tree foliage is gone, the scenic views will be much more grand.

Once we neared the end of the Old Wagon Road Trail we hooked into the Bluff Trail, which was an absolutely incredible experience.  It's a series of steps surrounding massive rocks leading to a small cave and another scenic view.

Most of this trail is fenced off for safety.

As always, my eye was drawn to all the moss covered rocks and ferns growing everywhere.

It's always fun to see how far you've climbed.

This little space between the rocks is part of the trail.  What a fun place to explore!

Here is hubby on the other side.

This steep staircase leads to "Treasure Cave" a small limestone cave.

I was a little nervous getting too close to the cave fearing bats would suddenly fly out.

Coming down the staircase was a little more difficult than climbing up.  Hubby suggested I turn around and climb down as if I were on a ladder.  That worked much better!

This little side excursion off the trail is called "The Knob".  It suddenly comes to a complete stop, so we had to turn around back the way we came.

At the end of Bluff Trail is another scenic overlook.  Picture time!

If you're wondering what that is around my neck, it's a waterproof IPhone case.  I used it the day before kayaking, and actually found it quite handy for hiking because I didn't have to hold my phone the whole time.  

Because we were so hot and dripping wet from the heat and humidity, we decided not to hike anymore trails.  We did however drive through the park to check out their campsites (which are amazing, because they are high on top of a bluff, so all the campers have amazing views) and the boat landing.

People fish off this pier, but most people come here to get their boats, kayaks, and canoes in the water.  Wyalusing State Park actually has a six mile canoe trail that takes you through the Mississippi backwaters to the main channel.  You can rent canoes at the park concession stand.

And that concludes our Wisconsin Staycation!  We do have other plans this summer/fall, so you will be seeing more travel posts soon!

Have A Great Day!  Amy

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