These natural attractions in Wisconsin are worth a visit this summer

Looking to explore Wisconsin this summer? The state is full of lakefront beaches, forests, rivers, bluffs, waterfalls and more.

These pockets of nature span several state counties and can make for great road trips. Here are eight hidden gems across Wisconsin for nature-lovers to enjoy while the weather is warm:

This state park is home to Wisconsin’s largest waterfall, Big Manitou Falls. It is accompanied by Little Manitou, a smaller cascade. Around every bend in the trail, there’s opportunity to get right next to a waterfall or rumbling rapid.

The park is on the Black River within Pattison State Park in Douglas County.

For a full Wisconsin waterfall experience, visit waterfalls at Copper Falls, 90 miles east, and Pattison State Park, 15 miles southwest.

On the northern tip of Wisconsin’s Bayfield peninsula 22 islands sit in Lake Superior. Most of the islands are part of Ashland County.

It’s known for its mainland sea caves, which you can visit with a kayak. Also accessible (exclusively) by kayak or boat, there are campsites on 18 of the 21 islands. Visitors can go on cruises for tours of lighthouses, sea caves and more.

Stretching across Vernon and Crawford counties, this region’s forested hills and winding rivers make it unique from other Wisconsin landscapes. Its 125-mile stretch starts near Wilton, winds through La Farge and Ontario and ends at Wauzeka.

It’s beautiful year-round, but canoeing or kayaking the Kickapoo River during the summer can make for great memories. Wildcat Mountain State Park and Kickapoo Valley Reserve trails are also great places to explore.

There are private cabins with large porches to enjoy the view of hills, but the area isn’t as touristy as some other Wisconsin summer spots.

This scenic byway spans 3,000 miles along the Mississippi river across several states. The Wisconsin stretch goes through small towns like Stockholm, Pepin and Alma, which have wineries and natural attractions to visit along a road trip. For a nature break, there’s hiking at Perrot State Park in Trempealeau County and Maiden Rock State Natural Area in Pepin County. To grab a bite or drink, get pizza on a farm at the Stone Barn and go wine tasting at Villa Bellezza and Danzinger.

Bluff-top camping along the Mississippi River 

There are campsites in Wyalusing State Park near Bagley and Nelson Dewey State Park near Cassville that sit on bluffs above the Mississippi River. The campgrounds tend to fill quickly, so stay vigilant about any snatch-able sites, or keep it on your radar for a few months down the line.

Wyalusing sites are car-camping sites and have limited privacy, but they have great views, looking directly out on the Wisconsin and Mississippi rivers.

The four walk-in sites at Nelson Dewey State Park have a great view of the Mississippi with better privacy between sites. Below the bluff, trains whizz past.

Lakeside camping in the Northwoods 

The Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest and the Northern Highland-American Legion State Forest protect over 1.75 million forest acres and thousands of lakes. There are dozens of small campgrounds – many on lakes – at both parks. You could even backcountry camp off the North Country Trail on national forest land and off the Ice Age Trail.

Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest encompasses 1.5 million acres and crosses 11 counties, including Ashland, Bayfield, Sawyer and Price counties. It’s just south of Lake Superior’s shores. Northern Highland-American Legion State Forest reaches Iron, Oneida and Vilas counties.

Some extra gems here are Laura Lake, Bagley Rapids and Crystal Lake.

On the way to Door County, the Ridges is a nature preserve in Baileys Harbor. It was Wisconsin’s first land trust, and today has lots of boardwalks, typical of this area of Lake Michigan.

The Kettle Moraine State Forest 

Lakes, pines, prairies and glacial landforms can all be found in the Kettle Moraine. Dozens of forested campsites stretch through the woods, with plenty of privacy and space.

Its most famous trail is the Ice Age, which travels through 30 counties. More than 600 miles of it can be hiked, according to the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, but 30 miles are in the northern unit of the Kettle Moraine grounds. It’s meant to be hiked by foot but has branches for mountain biking and horseback riding.

The forest is divided into six units, which hit Fond Du Lac, Jefferson, Sheboygan, Walworth, Washington and Waukesha counties.

Contact Elena Metinidis at emetinidis@usatodayco.com.