A quick visit to the Driftless for some nature.

Cave of the Mounds

Arriving before the tours start gives you a chance to stretch your legs in the morning air on our walking trails. Ranging in length anywhere from a half mile to a full mile loop, each trails shows off different elevations and biomes that are native to southwest Wisconsin.

Cave tours begin at 10:00am, last around an hour, and cover only around 0.6mi (1km), making it beneficial to do the tour before your hike to keep your energy.

Quick Bites

Grab a quick panini or salad at The Cook’s Room in Dodgeville, WI. Food is made fresh to order and baked goods are made daily, and the drink menu has classic coffees and teas with some less-typical options, too. Sit down and browse their small shop or take your treats to go.

Governor Dodge State Park

Featuring chain lakes and waterfalls surrounded by prairie-covered sandstone bluffs, Gov. Dodge encompasses over 5,000 acres of land crisscrossed by trails for walking, horseback riding, and skiing. Several small sandstone caves hideaway along the lake edges which offer fishermen opportunities to catch panfish, bass, walleye, and muskie.

Quiet camping near the lake.

Day One

Gibraltar Rock State Natural Area

A sandstone butte that sits 200ft above its surroundings, Gibraltar Rock overlooks the Wisconsin River valley and Lake Wisconsin with the Baraboo Hills in the distance. With a total elevation of a satisfying 1,234ft, the climb is moderately difficult and only partially paved with few ranger-made stairs along the way.

Taking it slow, Gibraltar Rock is a gentle start to your weekend with beautiful views regardless of the weather.

Merrimac Ferry & Merrimac Scoop

Crossing the Wisconsin River between two counties, the Merrimac Ferry is Wisconsin’s only completely free ferry ride and allows both vehicles and walking pedestrians alike. Crossing takes around 7 minutes and gives you a great view of the river valley along with a frankly charming little ride on the water.

On either side of the ferry docking you can find a small concessions stand serving up classic snacks and goodies. The southern dock hosts the Merrimac Scoop ice cream shop which is well known for their large variety of flavors. Grab one on your way onto the ferry to enjoy a treat while you float.

Parfrey’s Glen State Natural Area

Found close by to Wisconsin’s most popular state park, Parfrey’s Glen is Wisconsin’s first state natural area. It boasts a stunningly deep gorge scattered with boulders and mosses. The path crisscrosses over a stream that meanders through the center of the gorge, hinting at the crevasse’s origins.

It won’t take you long to explore the gorge itself, but the path continues along the creek and into the woodland if you’re looking for a longer visit. Those used to a flatter landscape will definitely enjoy the experience of sandstone walls rising up to surround them.

Devil’s Lake State Park

The most popular state park in Wisconsin—and for good reason—Devil’s Lake sits as the crown jewel in the Baraboo Range, a 25mi long mountain formation that juts out of the landscape. The rock here is Baraboo Quartzite: a variety of metamorphized sandstone that is a unique reddish-purple color, incredibly hard, and incredibly old—around 1.7 Billion years.

The lake itself offers swimming beaches for humans and pets alike, and concessions at the North and South Shores provide anything from merch to ice cream to kayak rentals. Fishing is possible at the lake, but with few near-shore hiding spots, you may find yourself doing more casting than catching. Large boulders that tumbled off the bluffs sit along the western edge of the lake, providing a good launch surface for some casual cliff jumping.

Outside of fishing and boating, you can take a hike up to Devil’s Doorway and see Balanced Rock along the way. Much of these paths are along the boulder fields along the edges of the bluffs with leveled quartzite used as a makeshift staircase as you make your way towards the summit, but paths curving along the sloped side of the bluff provide a gentler climb at the cost of some stellar views of the lake.

For this particular trip, you’ll be camping out in the park, so there is no need to rush through all there is to do, see, and explore at Devil’s Lake. Camping spots can be found on the Wisconsin DNR webpage along with more information on camping regulations.

Day Two

Natural Bridge State Park

The Natural Bridge is a three-and-a-half story tall sandstone arch similar in structure to those found out west in Arches National Park. It was carved out by the forces of wind and water and survived the last ice age by the luck of being in the Driftless Region. Immediately below the arch is a natural rock shelter that was discovered to be used by Native Americans as far back at 9,000B.C.E., around the time of the glacial retreat.

The park itself contains around 4 miles of wooded trails that wind around the hills and small bluffs with a small overlook at the crest of a hill. The trail itself is easy to traverse but unpaved and not entirely maintained, so visitors should exercise caution when visiting in the icy months.

Cave of the Mounds

A good pit stop on your way through the area, Cave of the Mounds has a tour just under an hour in length that takes you through a cave with rooms up to two stories high. Along the tour you’ll see a variety of cave formations, reflecting pools of water, and ancient fossils. Tours cover the science and history of this cave and caves like it, and you’ll see the entire thing on your visit.

Tour times vary day to day, so check our Plan Your Visit page to get an idea of when to stop by.

Governor Dodge State Park

Governor Dodge State Park is a lesser known park featuring chain lakes and waterfalls surrounded by prairie-covered sandstone bluffs and encompassing over 5,000 acres of land. It’s crisscrossed by trails for walking, horseback riding, and skiing. Several small sandstone caves hideaway along the lake edges which offer fishermen opportunities to catch panfish, bass, walleye, and muskie.

Concessions are available at the lakeshores and provide snacks as well as kayak or canoe rentals. It’s the perfect park for a gentle stroll or fruitful exploration, and its central location makes it easy to add other stops along your trip.

See ’em all or skip a few to get some extra time, the Great Lakes area is full of unique history, science, and art that we represent in museums and nature centers. Each place on this list covers unique topics, but these certainly aren’t the only places to learn about something cool in the area.

Day One

Ulysses S. Grant Home • Galena, IL

The home of the 18th president of the United States prior to his political career, the Ulysses S. Grant Home in Galena is a time capsule of the 1800s. With displays throughout the home and much of the original furniture in place, even those unenthused by historical figures will come away with some appreciation of the era.

The society that maintains the house and provides tours also stewards the Elihu B. Washburne House and the Old Market House, which may additionally be worth stopping by.

National Mississippi River Museum & Aquarium • Dubuque, IA

The River Museum combines the excitement of live aquatic and semi-aquatic animals with the history of one of the most important ports on the Mississippi River. Located in the heart of the port district of Dubuque, the River Museum is a three building campus with extensive exhibits and learning experiences.

Animal exhibits at the River Museum include fish, birds, and reptiles that are predominantly found living within or alongside the river and wetland ecosystems such as gar, sturgeon, bald eagles, and alligators. There are also several saltwater tanks that explore the differences between river and ocean animals.

The museum exhibits cover the wide expanse of history around the Mississippi River which has been used by humans since time immemorial. Interactive exhibits let you practice driving a barge on the river or see the effects of water on floodplains. Rotating exhibits pop up routinely to explore connected topics such as arctic dinosaurs and narwhals, while permanent features show off early industry machinery and boats along with a wetland viewing boardwalk.

The River Museum is an excellent stop for children or just adults looking for a fun time, and you get some serious bang for your buck: tickets are good for two days of visiting at no extra charge!

The Mining & Rollo Jamison Museums • Platteville, WI

Wisconsin is known as the Badger State not because of an abundance of the animals, but because lead miners would burrow underground to sleep—much like the American Badger. Lead mining is arguably the single most important industry in southwest Wisconsin’s history, and this is your chance to check out a pretty cool part of it by touring the Bevans 1845 Lead-Zinc Mine. Tours explore the history of mining in the Mississippi Valley and you can optionally end your visit with a ride on a 1931 mine train if the weather’s right.

Exhibits covering the history and culture of the region are found spread around the three acre grounds, encouraging exploration and discovery to your heart’s content.

Taliesin • Spring Green, WI

A UNESCO World Heritage Site, Frank Lloyd Wright’s Taliesin [east] was his summertime spot: a home, studio, and laboratory all in one. Located in the valley between Spring Green’s verdant hills along the Wisconsin River and perched atop a gentle sloping mound, Taliesin exhibits Wright’s classic style in several layers and iterations, contrasting its modern feel with horse and buggy infrastructure.

The sunlit home is rustic from intention and use, with worn wood and time-smoothed stones leading through its short-ceilinged corridors. Outside, gardens and balconies provide views of the surrounding hillscape as well as glimpses into the estate’s historical operation. The use of local woods and stones in the construction ties the building into the landscape, and many of Wright’s home goods remain in the space—from tables and chairs to fine china—deepening the sense that the house was, in fact, a home.

Several styles of tour are available—from self-paced house tours to guide-led tours of the entire estate—and can take anywhere from 45 minutes to a full 4 hours. Tours begin with a brief shuttle ride from the visitor center to the estate just down the road and generally contain a mixture of walking, sitting, and standing.

Cave of the Mounds • Blue Mounds, WI

A conveniently-located cave that’s fun for the whole family, Cave of the Mounds offers tours all year long and has events each month to provide a different experience for seasoned cave enjoyers. Walking trails along the property offer scenic views of the woodland and prairie, while paid experiences such as geode cracking and gem sluicing keep hands busy between tours.

The cave itself presents a scientific and historic tour rather than one steeped in stories and imagery, but tour guides are well trained and can adjust tour content based on ages and interest.

Driftless Historium • Mount Horeb, WI

The Driftless Historium is a museum that covers the local area across a large frame of time: from the end of the last ice age (~13,000 years ago) to the present day. It brings a magnifying glass to a variety of cultures, wars, and settlements that began cropping up in the area as America pushed westward to the Mississippi River and beyond.

The Historium also features rotating exhibits that mainly feature a deeper dive into the history of southwestern Dane County, and they also host a variety of special events throughout the year.

The museum itself won’t take long to explore but is certainly worth the stop if you’re curious about a broad history. Stopping here also puts you in the heart of Mount Horeb, making it easy to grab a coffee or check out the shops on main.

Day Two

Geology Museum • Madison, WI

Hosted by UW – Madison and completely free, the UW Geology Museum is jam-packed with interesting rocks and details about Wisconsin’s various ancient environments—from oceans to volcanoes to glaciers and ice ages.

A darkened fluorescence room displays a series of rocks and minerals that react under different types of UV light just before you enter a winding corridor displaying large fossils and stones beginning at Wisconsin’s origins and traveling through time to the modern day. Megafauna displays show off mammoths and dinosaurs that tower over the walls and engage the imagination, while expansive mineral cases introduce the intense variety that exists in Earth.

Between the free admission and engaging content, this museum is a perfect quick stop for anyone travelling into Madison. Several rock shops exist in the area for those looking to continue to explore stones.

Chazen Museum of Art • Madison, WI

Featuring rotating exhibits and a delightfully designed logo, the Chazen Museum of Art is hosted on the UW – Madison campus tucked between the two lakes that create the Madison isthmus. It contains somewhere around 25,000 works of art spanning thousands of years and tens of cultures: ancient Greece, Western Europe and the Soviets, Moghul India, Edo Japan, and contemporary Africa all have a voice echoing throughout the museum’s 176,000 square feet.

Entry is completely free of charge due to their mission to make the visual arts accessible to the public, making this stop a must for even an hour of your time (though you could easily spend a few). A cafe inside the museum offers a variety of drinks and a few snacks to keep you going.

Aldo Leopold Nature Center • Monona, WI

A space committed to connecting people with nature, the Aldo Leopold Nature Center features walking trails through wetlands, prairies, and woodlands along with an activity center meant to entertain children and adults alike. Visitation is free and a welcome reprieve from the expansive city surrounding it.

Old World Wisconsin • Eagle, WI

Nestled against the Kettle Moraine Forest, Old World Wisconsin is an open-air museum with several buildings and wooded trails that reintroduce modern visitors to old ways. Experience the early settlers’ lives through reenactors and historically accurate buildings featuring a three distinct districts within walking distance including a petting zoo, blacksmith shop, brewhouse, and settler cabin among many others.

Old World Wisconsin offers hands-on experiences and immersive engagement for all visitors, young or old.

Milwaukee Public Museum • Milwaukee, WI

Wisconsin’s natural history museum houses over 4 million objects of interest in its collections. Exhibits cover all sorts of topics: geology, anthropology, botany, history, photography, and zoology. A planetarium lives on the main floor and hosts regular showings and informative displays.

With four total floors each with their own activities, any visitor will absolutely be able to sate their curiosity. Touch displays and captioned videos exist throughout the museum, engaging all the senses as you explore.

Field Museum • Chicago, IL

Featuring more than 40 million objects and specimens spanning mineralogy, paleontology, archaeology, botany, history, and more, the Field Museum has grown from an exhibition of 65,000 displays at the 1893 World’s Columbian Exposition into one of the most important and groundbreaking centers for scientific study in the world. Multiple floors contain displays upon displays upon dioramas upon exhibits that take you back in time up to 4.6 billion years ago.

The most famous specimen in their collection is Sue the T-Rex, the world’s most complete dinosaur skeleton (and one of the better Twitter accounts out there), but Sue is surrounded by tens more of their dinosaur brethren and thousands more fossils and recreations of ancient life throughout Earth’s history.

Several exhibits rotate every year or so, making this stop worth it time and time again—though that’s not to say that the permanent exhibits aren’t worth revisiting, too.

An all-encompassing road trip around the Midwest that hits some of the best features across the region. Each state contains more than just a few interesting spots—from museums and zoos to state parks and archeological sites—so don’t be shy about adding in cool things that you see along the way!

Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore • Michigan

Built up 12,000 years ago as the glaciers receded from the land, Sleeping Bear Dunes edges along Lake Michigan and towers over it by 450ft. The landscape is covered in a menagerie of plants and animals, and the land itself is steeped in history both human and natural.

Guests may climb the dune if they choose, or they can take a relaxing hike or join ranger-led programs. A maritime museum also sits close by.

Mackinac Island • Michigan

Pronounced MAK-ə-naw, Mackinac Island is the former long-time home of the Odawa Natives-turned-vacation hotspot of the Midwest. Much like Door County, Wisconsin, Mackinac Island is known for its tourist charm and, perhaps more importantly, its fudge. The island is also [in]famous for not allowing any cars: all transport is done via horse, carriage, or bicycle.

Guided carriage tours are the most popular activity for visitors, but some elect to take a bike ride around the 8.2 mile lakeshore road to see the sights in a more private manner. Small shops dot the island along with various natural features that act as a backdrop to the town activities. 80% of the island in Mackinaw Island State Park, so you’ll have lots of space to explore.

Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore • Upper Peninsula, MI

The first of three National Lakeshores that exist on Lake Michigan and Lake Superior, the Pictured Rocks are 50ft to 200ft tall sandstone cliffs that rise over Lake Superior. They are stained with a mosaic of reds, greens, blues, whites, and yellows that comes from minerals in the stone. The lakeshore features 12 miles of beaches within the 41 miles of park.

Kayaking tours are a popular pass time along with hiking and swimming, but a guided boat tour is considered the best way to see the painted rocks in all their glory.

Lake of the Clouds, Porcupine Mountains • Upper Peninsula, MI

A scenic lake sitting at an elevation of 1,073ft, Lake of the Clouds is cradled between the ridgelines of the Porcupine Mountains near Lake Superior. An overlook provides a panoramic view of the vista in which the lake sits surrounded by dense woodland beyond what the eye can see.

The Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park is 60,000 acres of old-growth forests, waterfalls, lakes, and valleys crisscrossed by the remnants of an ancient volcano. It is filled with plants and animals—some that are endangered—and encourages hiking and exploration along its trails.

Apostle Islands • Lake Superior, WI

The Apostle Islands National Lakeshore consists of nearly 70,000 acres along with 21 islands and several old growth forest remnants. It features tens of sea caves and arches, lighthouses, shipwrecks, and some of the best kayaking in the state. Campsites are abundant in the area, and many are accessible via portages.

If you visit in the winter, there’s a chance that you can enter the elusive ice caves (though you shouldn’t count on it; they’ve only been accessible for a grand total of 10 days between 2015 and 2026 due to poor ice conditions). Most people opt to join a kayaking tour to get up close and personal with the sea caves and shipwrecks.

International Wolf Center • Minnesota

The International Wolf Center is worth the drive for animal lovers. Backed by scientific study and working every day to deepen our understanding of wolves and their dynamic relationship with humans and the greater environment.

Regular programs throughout the day are available to join in on, including feeding time. The wolves are also quite curious and social, making them a frequent sight outside of the guided programs. This stop is a bit further north, but it’s a great way to experience some of the wild parts of Minnesota.

Minneapolis • Minnesota

A fun city filled with art and nightlife. Minneapolis sits on the Mississippi River along with St. Paul, giving you two city experiences for the price of one.

Visit the Minneapolis Institute of Art, the Science Museum of Minnesota, or opt for a classic stop at Mall of America. There’s so much to do here that we can’t list it all!

Badlands National Park • Interior, SD

Rugged spires form ridges of dried sediment across a desert landscape in this fan favorite National Park. Prairies surround the alien stone, obscuring prairie dogs, snakes, and the ankles of bison. The Badlands are one of our world’s richest fossil deposits, so graciously packed with ancient life that bones and shells can be found tumbling out of the hillside like gravel.

The Badlands has several overlooks, hiking trails, and scenic viewpoints from which you can simply admire or attempt to photograph the odd landscapes that surround you.

Scotts Bluff National Monument • Nebraska

A towering 800ft landmark that was used as a waypoint for Native Americans and those travelling westward on the Oregon Trail alike, Scotts Bluff is a series of bluffs and buttes that jut out of an otherwise flat expanse. It is rich in both geologic and human history.

More than 4 miles of hiking trails meander through, up, and around this National Monument.

Omaha’s Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium • Omaha, NE

Widely considered by critics to be the number one zoo in America, the Omaha Zoo cares for 33,000 animals across nearly 200 acres of park. With exhibits replicating environments like jungles, grasslands, and wetlands along with activities like feedings the giraffes and adults only events, every visitor is sure to find something that they love.

The Ozarks • Eminence, MO

A mountain region that covers nearly 47,000 square miles, the Ozarks are a haven for nature and exploration. Eminence, Missouri provides a good starting point for your visit, whether you just want to look or get out in nature.

Meramec Caverns • Sullivan, MO

The largest show cave in Missouri, Meramec Caverns holds a host of history and geology going back 400 million years that includes infamous Jesse James and the Civil War, Pre-Columbian Native Americans, and, funnily enough, the invention of the bumper sticker.

The cave contains the third largest stalagmite in the world along with a room filled with rare Aragonite formations. Tours last around an hour, and the property also boasts a river for tubing and further exploration.

Cahokia Mounds • Collinsville, MO

A UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Cahokia Mounds are the remnants of a Native American mound city that was, at its peak, home to more people than contemporary London. The grounds cover around 3.5 square miles and have 80 mounds spread throughout—down from 120 original mounds that existed at the site.

An interpretive center sits near the site and contains artifacts and information about the mounds and the peoples that built and lived among them.

Garden of the Gods • Shawnee National Forest, IL

Considered the most photogenic part of Illinois, the Garden of the Gods Wilderness is a mosaic of sandstone bluffs, cliffs, rocky streams, and panoramic views of the forest. Interpretive signage exists throughout the trails, providing education about the geology of the park, and the trails are only moderately difficult for most visitors.

Clifty Falls State Park • Indiana

Home to several rugged hiking trails that carve through expansive fossiliferous rock beds alongside waterfalls, rivers, and streams, Clifty Falls State Park offers a rocky glimpse at the Appalachian Plateau. Nearby collection sites allow guests to bring fossils home without disturbing the state park.

Hocking Hills State Park • Ohio

Internationally acclaimed for its hills, waterfalls, and gorges, Hocking Hills State Park offers year-round beauty. Hiking trails meander across the landscape, on top of bluffs, and into chasms. The park allows camping, horseback riding, fishing, paddling, disc golfing, and—seasonally—hunting. The sandstone bedrock offers a velvety background to the un-glaciated beauty of the area.

Cuyahoga Valley National Park • Ohio

Ohio’s only national park, Cuyahoga Valley is the valley of the Cuyahoga River: a focal-point for the American Revolution. With over 125 miles of trails, it is now a hot spot for the enjoyment of nature. Cuyahoga Valley features waterfalls, gorges, and cliffsides that are simply begging to be photographed and explored.

Guests can opt to join ranger-led programs to learn more extensively about the history and geology of the park.

Indiana Dunes National Park • Lake Michigan, IN

One of the most recently designated national parks, the Indiana Dunes are enormous sandy piles that were pushed along by the glaciers thousands of years ago. Lake Michigan rubs against the dunes, pushing, pulling, and warping them with the constant wave motion. The park itself also contains oak savannas, wetlands, and forests that allow for 15 distinct trails that cover 50 miles.

Field Museum • Chicago, IL

Featuring more than 40 million objects and specimens spanning mineralogy, paleontology, archaeology, botany, history, and more, the Field Museum has grown from an exhibition of 65,000 displays at the 1893 World’s Columbian Exposition into one of the most important and groundbreaking centers for scientific study in the world. Multiple floors contain displays upon displays upon dioramas upon exhibits that take you back in time up to 4.6 billion years ago.

The most famous specimen in their collection is Sue the T-Rex, the world’s most complete dinosaur skeleton (and one of the better Twitter accounts out there), but Sue is surrounded by tens more of their dinosaur brethren and thousands more fossils and recreations of ancient life throughout Earth’s history.

Several exhibits rotate every year or so, making this stop worth it time and time again—though that’s not to say that the permanent exhibits aren’t worth revisiting, too.

Rock Cut State Park • Illinois

With 40 miles of trails winding above and cutting through the rocky landscape, Rock Cut State Park offers easygoing scenery to give you a break from the bustle of the city.

Stretch your legs on the boardwalk or take a swim in the lakes. Bring your binoculars to spot the abundant wildlife that make the park their home.

Cave of the Mounds • Blue Mounds, WI

Located conveniently between Chicago and the Wisconsin Dells, Cave of the Mounds is filled with a variety of cave formations of all different shapes, sizes, and colors. Walking trails crisscross and loop around prairie and savanna above ground, providing around 2 miles of nature and history provided by interpretive signs placed along the paths.

Gem mining and geode cracking activities are available daily any time that we’re open, and the cave is unaffected by weather, making it the perfect stop on super hot or rainy days.

Effigy Mounds Naitonal Monument • Harper’s Ferry, IA

Nestled alongside the Mississippi River just north of where the Wisconsin feeds in, Effigy Mounds National Monument is a federally protected site of more than 200 mounds created by ancestors of the modern Ho-Chunk and other various Midwestern nations around 1400 to 800 years ago.

Some mounds were burial sites, while others were territory markers or simply ceremonial in nature. As with most mound sites, many of the mounds here overlook the river and smaller tributary streams. The walk is peaceful, surrounded by the woodland with cool air coming off of the river. Visitors are encouraged to take in the tranquility of the space without disturbing the mounds.

Pikes Peak State Park • McGregor, IA

Located just across the river from Wyalusing State Park, Pikes Peak State Park offers scenic overlooks of the Mississippi River, secluded waterfalls, and trails surrounded by woodland, cliffs, and bluffs. Hikes here can take anywhere from an hour or two to a full day or more.

Other effigy mounds exist here as well, connecting the two parks.