Donges Bay Gorge Natural Area — Attraction in Mequon

What a gem! There is room for about four cars in the small parking area off the street. Street parking is not permitted.

The round-trip hike is under a mile. The main path is wide and well maintained. There is a picnic table at the old Pool house, as well as a large lawn suitable for a picnic on a blanket or for Frisbee. Do not miss "Wendy's Way" hike through the woods which connects the end of the trail back to near the beginning. It affords the wonderful richness of woods: diverse trees in various states (living, falling over, and rotting), views of the gorge, and shade.

The preserve is one half of the former Knuth property. (The other half has been subdivided for development.)

A poster on-site informs that "The proximity to Lake Michigan results in a microclimate of cooler summers and persisting snowfall that enables species of northern hardwood conifer-hardwood forests to coexist with typical southern hardwood forest The terrain, diversity of vegetation and proximity to Lake Michigan provides habitat to a wide array of wildlife, including...

A little Noland Park in the heart of mequon on lake Michigan, south of Virmond Park with very little parking but great nature trail to walk your dog and enjoy the scenic views. The beautiful gorge and the remnants of a once famous estate along lake Michigan that is no longer there. Thanks to ozaukee county for preserving this little strip of land from...

Hidden gem that starts closer to an entrance of a neighborhood and runs to the edge of a bluff over looking lake Michigan. The tail loops back alongside a large gorge. It is a relatively short trail but it is well kept and runs through piney Forest along with a steep trail that runs down to the beach. Usually not too busy, had some nice views of the lake...