Visiting the Lake Geneva area? We have the best nature hike for you! Seno Conservancy located in Burlington, WI, Just north of Highway 50 and west of Dyer Lake.
Educational
Are you looking for an educational spot for children? This is the place. The park consists of signs in front of trees that have endless ideas for quick lessons for families or larger groups of children:
- Draw the different trees in a sketch book
- Find a leaf on the ground and describe the characteristics of the tree. (You could even bring a tree ID book!)
- Scavenger hunt to find all the tree signs
- Describe the bark using descriptive words
- Estimate how old the tree is
Dog Friendly
The park is dog friendly but dogs must be on leash and you must clean up after your dog. Dog bags are provided by the park. There are no garbage cans, so plan on bringing your dog bag home with you. Remember that dog poop carries pathogens that are not healthy for children or some animals.
If your dog is anything like Fern’s dog, this is the perfect nature park for you and your four-legged friend. Fern’s doggie loves adventures, but is not a fan of crowds. Fern has visited this park three times, and each time has seen very minimal people and dogs. This means she gets to sniff and enjoy the trails without feeling anxious.
Parking
The parking situation gets an A+ rating. The parking lot is at the entrance of the trail. There are plenty of spots and the parking lot is right off the main road so it is impossible to miss.
Pavilions and Fire Circle
We love the many options to gather with a group. There are two pavilions with tables and a circle fire pit.
The first pavilion in at the entrance and by the barn. There are two tables and a bench under the pavilion. This pavilion is directly next to a fire circle that has endless number of benches.
The second pavilion is further into the trail. Near the Maple Ridge Road trail. This pavilion has a few tables, an outhouse nearby, and an open field to enjoy.
You can even rent the spaces, check out the website and book your future event!
Birds and Butterflies
My favorite time to visit this park is in the morning when you can hear the birds making music. There is a variety of birds and butterflies throughout the park, signs of a healthy ecosystem!
The Seno Conservancy has a variety of nest boxes which help the populations of different species. Have you ever wondered why parks have these bird houses? Read more about the importance of nest boxes on the Audubon website.
Clear Signs
This park is awesome for children to learn how to follow a map. We love it because we know we will never get lost! And every time we visit, we take a different path. The options are endless. Fern’s favorite trail is called “shortcut” because you are walking through the most beautiful forest with trees on both sides.
Ooh, Pretty! I love all the things for kids to interact with and learn on this hike near Lake Geneva. Map reading is such a helpful skill to learn.