State Natural Area — Baraboo Hills
Baxter’s Hollow State Natural Area
Near Baraboo, Wisconsin • About 5 miles west of Devil’s Lake State Park • Owned and managed by The Nature Conservancy
What to know before you go: Baxter’s Hollow is a primitive preserve — no restrooms, no developed facilities, no pets, and no fee to visit. The trail is unmaintained in places, with rocky footing, uneven terrain, and regular mud. Boots and long pants are strongly recommended. Open dawn to dusk, year-round.
In 1995, The Nature Conservancy designated the Baraboo Hills as one of only 75 “Last Great Places” in the Western Hemisphere — one of the most significant ecological recognitions a landscape can receive. Most visitors to the region experience that designation through Devil’s Lake State Park, three miles to the east. But tucked just west of the park, largely unknown to the crowds filling the North Shore lot on a summer Saturday, is Baxter’s Hollow — 5,910 acres of deep forest, cold-water gorge, and genuine quiet. At its center is Otter Creek, a fast, mountain-like stream cutting through Baraboo quartzite, cold enough year-round to support 78 species of caddisfly and the kind of aquatic life that only survives in undisturbed watersheds. The surrounding forest hosts 92 breeding bird species, including interior forest specialists like the Hooded Warbler and Acadian Flycatcher that need large, unbroken woodland to survive — species you simply won’t find where the forest has been fragmented. Baxter’s Hollow is your best chance to step away from the summer crowds and into the quieter, wilder side of Sauk County.
Plan your visit
Location & Directions
From Baraboo (south lot): Take Highway 12 south approximately 5 miles. Turn right on Kings Corner Rd., follow about 2 miles, then turn right on Stones Pocket Rd. The road follows a rocky streambed and leads directly to the Nature Conservancy trailhead. Parking is on the right at the gate. From the north: Access via Forest Drive in Sauk County. No roadside parking — vehicles may be fined or towed.
Access & Hours
Parking lots are not regularly plowed in winter. Road conditions on Stones Pocket Rd. can be rough after rain or snowfall.
Amenities
No developed facilities of any kind. Plan accordingly — the nearest services are in Baraboo, about 5 miles east.
Pass & Fee
Baxter’s Hollow is owned by The Nature Conservancy. There is no admission fee and no parking pass required. Both the Stones Pocket Road and Forest Drive lots are free to use.
Trail
The trail runs point-to-point from the Stones Pocket Road lot to the Forest Drive lot through the core of the preserve. It is primitive throughout — rocky, rooted, and frequently muddy. Expect uneven footing and limited signage. Boots and long pants are strongly recommended. The trail follows Otter Creek through the gorge for a significant stretch.
Trail is maintained but rugged in sections. Conditions vary significantly by season and recent weather.
Parking
Both lots are small. On busy summer weekends and during peak fall color, the south lot fills early. If the south lot is full, check the Forest Drive lot on the north end.
On-the-ground details
Best Time to Visit
- Spring is the standout season — the forest floor fills with trillium, hepatica, spring beauty, Jacob’s-ladder, and shooting-star before the canopy closes in. However, the trail can be wet and muddy.
- Fall color arrives in October and the bluff views along the trail are as good as anything in the Baraboo Hills.
- Summer birding peaks in June and July. Early mornings are best for hearing interior forest species. Bugs and ticks can be significant — bug spray is advised.
- Winter is quiet and largely unvisited. The rocky creek corridor looks different under snow. Lots are usually plowed but don’t count on it.
Good to Know
- Baxter’s Hollow has been growing in popularity, still, it’s not uncommon to have the trail entirely to yourself.
- The trail can be run point-to-point with a two-car shuttle between the south and north lots, eliminating the return hike.
- Cell service is limited to nonexistent inside the hollow. Download an offline map before you go.
- The stone fireplace and scattered remnants along the trail are leftovers from the Klondike Campground, a commercial campground that operated here before being abandoned in the 1970s. Before that, the hollow saw a failed gold mining operation tied to a short-lived settlement called Otterville, along with sawmill operations and attempts at maple syrup and sorghum production. The area was designated a State Natural Area in 1970 and is now managed by The Nature Conservancy.
- Hunting is permitted on TNC lands at Baxter’s Hollow. Check with The Nature Conservancy directly for current season rules before visiting during fall hunting season.
Rules & Restrictions
- No pets. Service animals trained to assist a person with a disability are permitted.
- No camping without prior written permission from The Nature Conservancy.
- No fires and no ground disturbance of any kind.
- No collecting of plants, animals, rocks, or any natural materials.
- No bicycles or motorized vehicles on the trail.
- No roadside parking. Use designated lots only. Vehicles parked outside lots may be fined or towed.
Rules are set by The Nature Conservancy as landowner. For current regulations, hunting access, or group visit inquiries, contact the Wisconsin chapter at 608-356-5300 or wisconsin@tnc.org.
Otter Creek, cold and fast year-round
Forest trail through Baxter’s Hollow
A historic fireplace — evidence of the hollow’s past