Pewit's Nest State Natural Area is a nature reserve in Wisconsin, USA, that includes a deep gorge formed during the retreat of the last glacier. Pewit's Nest is outside Baraboo in Sauk County. At one time a waterwheel and mill were located on the site and an individual lived in the solid sandstone.
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Quite literally a hidden oasis, off the beaten path and not as frequently populated as the nearby hit state park Devil’s Lake. There’s a small gravel lot to park that can maybe hold a dozen vehicles, and then a short five minute walk along a dirt path to the water. We took a stroller along no problem.
The water is ice cold even at summer’s end. Some folks brave it and Wade into the tunnel to get close to the falls. Beautiful spot for photos, and certainly a neat experience if you’ve never been here.
September 2023 Edit:
Although signage specifically states visitors are not to hike past fences, there are obvious trails that extend upstream on both sides of the gorge, all the way back to the property boundary. While neither trail leads you to anything more spectacular than the main gorge, cliffs and waterfall, there are a few smaller waterfalls and less of a crowd upstream.
If you decide to disobey the property restrictions and follow the trails, you do so at your own risk! There are areas where the trail edges dangerously close to cliff drop offs, narrow trails along rock walls, and ample opportunity for accidents. In the short while I was there I saw no less than three groups of people wearing flip flops, hiking in dangerous places.
The path that takes you upstream on the far side requires a creek crossing first, followed by a downstream muddy trail. There are sections where the path crosses into private property with a deer hunting tree stand. Please...
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They have parts of it blocked off with a fence that's easily jumped and "people who violate the blocked areas can be ticketed up to 175 dollars" Because some people abuse things/are unsafe doesn't mean you punish everybody. They literally have a walking path blocked off. If you listened to these blocked off areas and didn't want to go swimming you have about 5 minutes of walking to do. If you disregard the fence you can have up to 30mins of walking and sight seeing to do. People in government that think it's OK to restrict things to all because of a few shouldn't have their government jobs. Quit being lazy and find better ways to manage safety. They are literally so dumb they believe this wooden fence is going to stop the young, athletic people who are their target audience. When in fact the older, more physically challenged (people who are extremely safe because they know better) are the ones most impacted by this stupid lazy...
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We visited this site on the Friday afternoon before Labor Day weekend. It’s a pretty, canyon-like gorge, adorned with ferns and walls of mossy stone. Its outlet terminates in a small waterfalls that cascades into a popular and thus crowded and noisy swimming hole. Lots of hootin’ and hollerin’. The views from the trail above the falls are limited by fencing that keeps hikers so far away that not much of the gorge itself can be seen. Although the trail in this area makes a steep ascent around a fairly distant side of the falls, it is very short. One makes this ascent, perhaps 75+/- vertical feet, on a poorly laid out, straight-up, eroded gravel pathway that quickly terminates in the manner of a cul-de-sac. This might be a 4-star outing on a quieter, less crowded day or even 5-stars with a better and longer...
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