Welcome to Wisconsin's first designated State Natural Area, Parfrey's Glen.
The glen is open to the public from 6am to 8pm daily Parking is available at the lot with a daily or annual state park pass. There is also street side parking available a short distance away.
Parfrey's Glen got its name from an Englishman, Robert Parfrey, who acquired the property in 1865. He ran the grist mill that was built here in the the 1840s, the foundations of which can still be seen just south of the first major stream crossing.
After Parfrey moved away about a decade later, the area became a popular hiking and picnicing spot. In 1947, the State of Wisconsin acquired the property and in 1952, Parfrey's Glen was designated Wisconsin's first state natural area (SNA). Physical geocaches are not allowed on SNA lands, however exceptions are made for virtual geocaches with special permission. Permission for this cache was granted by Nathan Fayram, Field Ecologist Natural Heritage Conservation for State Natural Areas in Wisconsin.
The Parfrey's Glen trail is a 1.7 mile out and back hike. The trail starts off easy and level, following the creek. As the sandstone cliffs grow, in the glen the temperature drops, making this a popular summer hike. The hike can be completed any time of the year, however be especially cautious in the spring. There used to be a trail all the way to the waterfall viewing area but due to multiple floods, the trail was wiped out. The DNR maintained trail now ends a few hundred yards before the waterfall. Visitors are allowed to continue hiking within the creekbed. See if you can spot the old steps and foundation of a viewing area. After the maintained trail ends, my kids really enjoyed the adventure of scrambling over boulders to the posted coordines, a small waterfall. I recommend bringing waterproof footwear.
Rules for this area: Parfrey's Glen is open daily 6:00 a.m. - 8:00 p.m. A State Park sticker is required to park in the parking lot. Pets, food, and beverages other than water are not allowed in the natural area. Visitors must remain on the designated trail. At the point where the designated trail ends, visitors may proceed into the glen but must remain within 20 feet of the bed of the creek and may not venture past the base of the waterfall. Follow all posted rules at the trailhead.
To claim this virtual cache complete two tasks:
1) at the posted coordinates post a picture of yourself and the waterfall.
2) Along the trail to the waterfall visit the two additional waypoints - send me a message: a) what is the second line of the plaque at WP1? b) how many steps are there at WP2?
Of note: Geocaches placed on Wisconsin Department of Natural Resource managed lands require permission by means of a notification form. Please print out a paper copy of the notification form, fill in all required information, then submit it to the land manager. DNR notification form sent to Nathan Fayram/South Central Field Ecologist Wisconsin DNR 3911 Fish Hatchery Rd, Fitchburg, WI 53711. The DNR Notification Form and land manager information can be obtained at: http://dnr.wi.gov/files/PDF/forms/2500/2500-118.pdf
While you're in the area, take a drive or a longer hike along the Ice Age Trail, to Devils Lake State Park. Devil's Lake is considered among many as the finest in a number of Wisconsin State Park gems. Afterwards take a ride on a free, historic ferry in Merrimac, across the Wisconsin River or head up to Baraboo to the Circus Museum.
Resources:
https://dnr.wisconsin.gov/topic/statenaturalareas/ParfreysGlen
https://saukcountyhistory.org/sauk-county-naturally
https://www.devilslakewisconsin.com/wisconsin-parks-trails-natural-areas/parfreys-glen/
https://www.jsonline.com/story/travel/wisconsin/day-out/2013/11/01/day-out-gorge-at-parfreys-glen-is-a-peek-into-the-past/87625182/
https://www.geocaching.com/geocache/GC1A9G5 by Lostby7
Virtual Rewards 4.0 - 2024-2025
This Virtual Cache is part of a limited release of Virtuals created between January 17, 2024 and January 17, 2025. Only 4,000 cache owners were given the opportunity to hide a Virtual Cache. Learn more about Virtual Rewards 4.0 on the Geocaching Blog.