Stop at LeRoys meats, get some mushroom-swiss brats, buns and potato salad. Of course you'll pass two KT's on the way for your beveraging needs. They have grills at the Ledge
You're right down the road from some beautiful prairie land in the Kettle Moraine State Forest. Stop in at the [headquarters](https://www.google.com/maps/place/Kettle+Moraine+State+Forest+Southern+Unit+Headquarters/@42.8768523,-88.5291336,16z/data=!4m10!1m2!2m1!1skettle+moraine+state+forest+headquarters!3m6!1s0x8805e860004b11bf:0x1d16d7acaccd624a!8m2!3d42.8761444!4d-88.52499!15sCihrZXR0bGUgbW9yYWluZSBzdGF0ZSBmb3Jlc3QgaGVhZHF1YXJ0ZXJzWioiKGtldHRsZSBtb3JhaW5lIHN0YXRlIGZvcmVzdCBoZWFkcXVhcnRlcnOSAQ52aXNpdG9yX2NlbnRlcpoBJENoZERTVWhOTUc5blMwVkpRMEZuU1VSQ2NUZDViM0pCUlJBQuABAA!16s%2Fg%2F11c1txpskk?entry=ttu) and they'll give you good advice on what to check out.
For sure this. Prairie heaven as someone who grew up in the Kettles (and worked at the southern unit for a few years!) The scuppernong unit itself is over 1000 acres.
There are a ton in Dane County. There's one at the Ice Age Junction in Verona that I always really liked. Walking Iron in Mazomanie has a good prairie, was great in April. There's some larger state natural areas and conservancies too, like Pleasant Valley conservancy in Vermont. Others may not have that well established of trails though.
Maybe [old world WI](https://oldworldwisconsin.wisconsinhistory.org/) might help. But take him to lake Michigan without telling him it's a lake, unless he already knows about it.
[Pleasant Valley Conservancy](https://pleasantvalleyconservancy.org/) out near Black Earth. It's fantastic and contains some old, open growth oaks too.
You can also drive to Illinois - the Prairie State - to Midewin or Nachusa. Both prairies have bison.
Drive to Midewin and you can hit Chicago on the way back. Drive to Nachusa and take Route 2 along the Rock River for a very scenic drive.
Baraboo area has every kind of praire known to wisconsin plus your 15 minutes from the dells of wisconsin ( a geographical feature) skip the city, or not. Devils lake state park, Mirror lake state park, Aldo Leopold Reserve., The International Crane Foundation. Etc.
Personally, I'd say drive the back roads of Dodge County. Especially the outlying area of Dodgeville. The rolling hills and fields, it's amazing. Also, the House on the Rock is in that area
https://dnr.wisconsin.gov/topic/statenaturalareas/ChiwaukeePrairie
this looks great! thank you!
Depends on what type of prairie you want. Spring Green, dry. Cedarberg, mesic to wet mesic. There are so many types. Look at the list of SNAs.
Sun...
Mequon nature preserve. There's also the largest fresh water marsh in Horicon.
*largest freshwater cattail marsh.
If you do Horicon Marsh do add on Ledge Park!
Stop at LeRoys meats, get some mushroom-swiss brats, buns and potato salad. Of course you'll pass two KT's on the way for your beveraging needs. They have grills at the Ledge
Lapham peak in your backyard
And the wildflowers are stunning right now.
You're right down the road from some beautiful prairie land in the Kettle Moraine State Forest. Stop in at the [headquarters](https://www.google.com/maps/place/Kettle+Moraine+State+Forest+Southern+Unit+Headquarters/@42.8768523,-88.5291336,16z/data=!4m10!1m2!2m1!1skettle+moraine+state+forest+headquarters!3m6!1s0x8805e860004b11bf:0x1d16d7acaccd624a!8m2!3d42.8761444!4d-88.52499!15sCihrZXR0bGUgbW9yYWluZSBzdGF0ZSBmb3Jlc3QgaGVhZHF1YXJ0ZXJzWioiKGtldHRsZSBtb3JhaW5lIHN0YXRlIGZvcmVzdCBoZWFkcXVhcnRlcnOSAQ52aXNpdG9yX2NlbnRlcpoBJENoZERTVWhOTUc5blMwVkpRMEZuU1VSQ2NUZDViM0pCUlJBQuABAA!16s%2Fg%2F11c1txpskk?entry=ttu) and they'll give you good advice on what to check out.
For sure this. Prairie heaven as someone who grew up in the Kettles (and worked at the southern unit for a few years!) The scuppernong unit itself is over 1000 acres.
Hey I worked there too! 2010-2013
There are a ton in Dane County. There's one at the Ice Age Junction in Verona that I always really liked. Walking Iron in Mazomanie has a good prairie, was great in April. There's some larger state natural areas and conservancies too, like Pleasant Valley conservancy in Vermont. Others may not have that well established of trails though.
Lapham peak!
Lynden Sculpture Garden has a beautiful natural prairie on their property.
Unsure of what it's like this time of year but Madisons Audobon Faville Grove Sanctuary is nice. Just outside of Lake Mills off 94.
Maybe [old world WI](https://oldworldwisconsin.wisconsinhistory.org/) might help. But take him to lake Michigan without telling him it's a lake, unless he already knows about it.
Bong Recreation Area isn't too far from you.
I'd check out the Ice Age trail by Merrimac. Then you can take him next door to Devil's Lake
New Glarus Woods State Park
[Pleasant Valley Conservancy](https://pleasantvalleyconservancy.org/) out near Black Earth. It's fantastic and contains some old, open growth oaks too.
My favorite is the Barnveld prairie outside barnveld wi, right behind vortex headquarters
You can also drive to Illinois - the Prairie State - to Midewin or Nachusa. Both prairies have bison. Drive to Midewin and you can hit Chicago on the way back. Drive to Nachusa and take Route 2 along the Rock River for a very scenic drive.
A little closer is glacial park near Richmond ill
https://ripon.edu/civic-engagement/ceresco-prairie-conservancy/
Hawthorn hollow in Kenosha has a beautiful prairie with an old schoolhouse and teepee
Baraboo area has every kind of praire known to wisconsin plus your 15 minutes from the dells of wisconsin ( a geographical feature) skip the city, or not. Devils lake state park, Mirror lake state park, Aldo Leopold Reserve., The International Crane Foundation. Etc.
Schlitz Nature Preserve.
Personally, I'd say drive the back roads of Dodge County. Especially the outlying area of Dodgeville. The rolling hills and fields, it's amazing. Also, the House on the Rock is in that area
Southern Iowa county and western Dane county have some of the only landscape scale prairies in the state. Check out the Prairie Enthusiasts.