Mill Bluff State Park

Forming part of the Ice Age National Scientific Reserve, Mill Bluff State Park treats visitors to impressive views of unique rock formations. It also boasts hiking trails, a swimming beach, and a small pet-friendly campground, making it a suitable destination for a family camping weekend.

The park office is found at the base of the 120-foot Mill Bluff, with the campground a little way to the west. Here, you'll find 21 wooded and partially wooded sites in a clean and well-maintained area, six of which provide electrical hookups. Vault toilets and hand pumps are provided but there are no showers on offer -- if you need a wash, you'll need to find one for a fee at a local vendor.

It's also worth pointing out that the campground is close to a busy train line and Interstate 90-94 -- if you've driven by in the past, you'll probably have noticed the bluffs for which this park is famous -- which means you'll need to expect some traffic noise.

Daily vehicle admission stickers for the park cost $8 for cars with Wisconsin plates and $11 for out-of-state visitors. Pets are permitted in the campsites, provided they're kept on a leash of eight feet or shorter.

Happily, your leashed pooch is also welcome to join you on the park's hiking trails to take a closer look at the mesas, buttes, and pinnacles with you. The climb up the stairs to the observation deck at the top of Mill Bluff is worth doing, while the 1.25-mile Camel Bluff Trail takes you on a peaceful and scenic loop. There's also a 0.4-mile nature trail but it is closed to pets.

The other main feature at Mill Bluff is a 2.5-acre pond fed by underground springs. There's a 250-foot sandy beach open to public swimming, offering a great spot for humans (but unfortunately not dogs) to cool off.

If you're passing through the Camp Douglas area of Wisconsin, why not stop in to give Mill Bluff State Park a look? It's conveniently located and offers some lovely natural scenery, but the best part of all is that your dog can join in the fun as well.