The deep, narrow inner section of the gorge has been closed since 2017 after injuries to cliff jumpers and climbers. The trail to the gorge mouth and the rim overlook remain open; the closed area is fenced and posted.
Expected reopening: No announced reopening date
Confirm current status with Wisconsin DNR (Pewits Nest State Natural Area) before visiting.
Open alternatives: Parfrey's Glen Trail · Gibraltar Rock Trail
DNR closure reported by WMTV and Baraboo News Republic in 2017; DNR Pewits Nest State Natural Area page rules checked October 2026.
Pewit's Nest Trail Hiking Guide
Pewit's Nest is a short walk to a glacial gorge on the southwest edge of Baraboo. The DNR describes a 30- to 40-foot-deep gorge cut by Skillet Creek during the retreat of the last glacier, with shaded cliffs, potholes, low waterfalls and a northern pine forest. It is a ten-minute walk, which makes it an easy add-on to a Devil's Lake or Parfrey's Glen day, but parts of the gorge are now off limits.
Permit: Fee area: vehicles must display a valid Wisconsin State Park admission sticker; there is no pay station on site, so buy online in advance
The Short Walk In
Mapping apps list the out-and-back at about 0.4 miles with around 55 feet of gain. The main path is nearly flat and leads to the mouth of the gorge, where Skillet Creek runs through a series of potholes and low falls. A separate spur makes a short, steeper climb to an overlook above the rim. Water flow is highest in spring and early summer.
Why Part of the Gorge Is Fenced
After years of cliff jumping, climbing and repeated rescues, the DNR closed the deep, narrow part of the gorge in 2017. Signs and fencing mark the closed area, and entering it, climbing the rock walls or jumping into the water carries a fine. Stay on the trail and behind the split-rail fence. You still get a good look into the gorge from the mouth and from the overlook spur.
Small Lot, Strict Hours
Parking is a single lot on the south side of County W, about a mile west and south of the US 12 junction in Baraboo. Local guides put its capacity at around 20 cars, and parking along County W can get you fined or towed. The site is open from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. only. Weekday mornings are far quieter than summer weekend afternoons, and local guides suggest arriving before 9 a.m. on busy weekends.
Rules and Dogs
Unlike Parfrey's Glen, Pewit's Nest allows pets on a leash of 8 feet or less. Food, drinks, fires, rock climbing and camping are prohibited, and there are no restrooms. The DNR treats it as a fee area: every vehicle needs a valid state park sticker, and there is no kiosk in the lot, so buy a daily or 12-month pass online before you arrive.
Hiking tips for Pewit's Nest Trail
- Buy your state park sticker online first; there is no pay station at the lot.
- Do not park on County W; vehicles there can be ticketed or towed.
- Take the short spur to the rim overlook for the best view into the closed gorge.
- Visit in spring or early summer, when Skillet Creek's falls run highest.
- Leave snacks and drinks in the car; food and beverages are prohibited.
Nearby trails to explore
- Parfrey's Glen Trail
- Devil's Lake West Bluff Trail
- Gibraltar Rock Trail
Hike this trail with TrailMates
Pewit's Nest is a small gorge worth a short detour on any Baraboo trip. Use TrailMates to find Madison hikers heading to Pewit's Nest. Download the TrailMates app to connect.