Sarah Rykal

Hop aboard the Madeline Island Ferry and head over to the largest Apostle Island. Bring your own kayak (atop your car) or rent one in La Pointe, Madeline Island's lively and eclectic town. Then make your way down Highway H to Hagen Road (a drive of 6 miles) to Big Bay State Park. Launch from beautiful Barrier Beach, a protected cove with a breathtaking view of Lake Superior. You'll have to carr...

Perrot State Park, located in Wisconsin's Driftless Region, is home to many tall bluffs, including Brady's Bluff and Trempealeau Mountain. Many elevated hikes give you a wonderful view of the Mississippi River and its surrounding bluffs, but the real treasure is seeing this area from the water by canoe. This state park marks the confluence of the Trempealeau and Mississippi Rivers.   Start by r...