Quarry Ridge Nature Preserve
Rate this placeNearby: Maple Prarie Park Country Grove Park
Last Updated: December 5, 2025
Quarry Ridge Nature Preserve is a 329-acre nature preserve located in Dane County, Wisconsin.
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Summary
The preserve is home to a diverse range of wildlife and ecosystems, including prairies, wetlands, and oak savannas.
Some of the best reasons to visit Quarry Ridge Nature Preserve include hiking, birdwatching, and picnicking. The preserve features several hiking trails, ranging from easy to moderate difficulty, that wind through the various ecosystems and offer stunning views of the surrounding landscape. Birdwatchers will appreciate the preserve's rich birdlife, with over 100 species of birds having been spotted within its boundaries. Additionally, the preserve is a popular spot for picnicking, with several tables and grills available for public use.
Points of interest at Quarry Ridge Nature Preserve include the quarry itself, which dates back to the 1800s and now serves as a home for several species of birds and other wildlife. Visitors can also explore the wetlands, which are home to several species of waterfowl and other aquatic animals. Finally, the preserve is home to several rare and endangered plant species, including the prairie fringed orchid and the eastern massasauga rattlesnake.
Interesting facts about Quarry Ridge Nature Preserve include its history as a quarry, its designation as a state natural area, and its important role in preserving rare and endangered plant and animal species. Additionally, the preserve is home to several species of mammals, including deer, coyotes, and foxes.
The best time of year to visit Quarry Ridge Nature Preserve is in the spring and summer, when the weather is mild and the plants and wildlife are at their most active. Visitors should also be aware that the preserve is closed during the winter months, as the trails may be difficult to navigate in snowy or icy conditions.
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Park & Land Designation Reference
Large protected natural areas managed by the federal government to preserve significant landscapes, ecosystems, and cultural resources; recreation is allowed but conservation is the priority.
State Park
Public natural or recreational areas managed by a state government, typically smaller than national parks and focused on regional natural features, recreation, and education.
Local Park
Community-level parks managed by cities or counties, emphasizing recreation, playgrounds, sports, and green space close to populated areas.
Wilderness Area
The highest level of land protection in the U.S.; designated areas where nature is left essentially untouched, with no roads, structures, or motorized access permitted.
National Recreation Area
Areas set aside primarily for outdoor recreation (boating, hiking, fishing), often around reservoirs, rivers, or scenic landscapes; may allow more development.
National Conservation Area (BLM)
BLM-managed areas with special ecological, cultural, or scientific value; more protection than typical BLM land but less strict than Wilderness Areas.
State Forest
State-managed forests focused on habitat, watershed, recreation, and sustainable timber harvest.
National Forest
Federally managed lands focused on multiple use—recreation, wildlife habitat, watershed protection, and resource extraction (like timber)—unlike the stricter protections of national parks.
Wilderness
A protected area set aside to conserve specific resources—such as wildlife, habitats, or scientific features—with regulations varying widely depending on the managing agency and purpose.
Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Land
Vast federal lands managed for mixed use—recreation, grazing, mining, conservation—with fewer restrictions than national parks or forests.
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