Avoiding the Ice at the Merrimac Preserve

Looking for moderate hiking options while avoiding most of the slick ice and snow out there right now? Check out Riverland Conservancy‘s Merrimac Preserve, located across from Devil’s Lake State Park’s Roznos Meadow and north of Merrimac. (Photos taken yesterday, March 27th.)

The 1,642-acre preserve offers over 9.5 miles of maintained hiking trails that wind through wetlands, grasslands, and forests, providing important habitat for wildlife such as deer, turkeys, cranes, and coyotes.

Trail options include the Carbon Cycle & Habitat Diversity Trail, Eagle Scout Nature Trail, Lookout Trail, Oak Savanna Trail, Prairie View Trail, and a 3.7-mile segment of the Ice Age National Scenic Trail.

Trails range from easy to moderate and offer beautiful views of the area’s unique landscape, with bridges and boardwalks crossing wetlands and streams.

Parking is available at various locations around the property and there are no hiking or parking permits required. Pets must remain on-leash.

Click here for details.

Derrick Mayoleth

For nearly 2 decades the Skillet Creek blog has focused on 3 main goals; To inspire you to visit and explore the Devil’s Lake region, to help you get the most your visit by sharing tips, events, and other helpful information. Lastly to advocate for our environment & wildlife and talk about how we can keep our natural areas amazing now and into the future! That last goal can sometimes cause controversy, but it’s the only way we can accomplish the first two. – Derrick Mayoleth, Owner.