It was the first area officially designated as a State Natural Area in Wisconsin.
The sandstone exposed in the gorge dates back to the Cambrian period, approximately 500 million years ago.
The glen serves as a refugium for rare flora that prefer cool, moist environments not typical of the surrounding region.
The high, steep walls create a natural temperature inversion, often keeping the gorge floor cooler than the top of the ridge.
Parfrey's Glen is Wisconsin's oldest State Natural Area, designated in 1952. The site features a deep, narrow gorge carved into the Baraboo Hills' Cambrian sandstone. A 0.8-mile round-trip trail follows a spring-fed stream through a shaded forest canopy. The gorge walls reach heights of up to 100 feet in some sections. Unique microclimates within the glen support rare plant species, including monkshood and northern yellow lady's slipper. The trail ends at a rock-strewn area where the stream cascades down a small waterfall. The area is managed by the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources for scientific research and education. Erosion and flooding have necessitated trail adjustments over recent years to protect the fragile ecosystem. It remains a significant site for viewing geological history exposed by glacial meltwater.
The dramatic, moss-covered sandstone walls near the upper terminus of the trail.
Wear waterproof footwear as the trail frequently crosses the stream and involves walking on wet, slippery rocks.
Stay strictly on the marked trail to prevent damage to the sensitive plant life and the gorge's fragile ecosystem.
Bring insect repellent, as the humid, wooded environment is a prime habitat for mosquitoes and ticks.
Attempting to hike the trail after heavy rainfall, which can cause flash flooding and dangerous, slippery conditions in the gorge.
Open daily from dawn to dusk, year-round, though trails may be closed during severe weather or for seasonal maintenance.
No pets, no climbing on canyon walls, no camping, and carry-in/carry-out trash policy strictly enforced.
