NATURE PRESERVE
Sardeson Forest Preserve
Mineral Point, Wisconsin
Difficulty: Hilly, rocky moderate trails
Preserve Size: 12 acres
Small but mighty! Although it covers only twelve acres, Sardeson Forest Preserve feels much bigger. Looping trails will lead you past prairie remnants, along sandstone bluffs, through forests filled with wildflowers, and down to a flowing stream that feeds the Pecatonica River. This Driftless gem was donated to DALC by beloved Mineral Point resident Roland Sardeson upon his passing in 2016.
Explore the Preserve!
Features
- This is a foot traffic-only preserve, to be used for hiking, running, or snowshoeing.
- Sardeson Forest Preserve features a trail system consisting of one small loop in the northern section of the property (approximate .25 miles) and a longer loop that circles the entire property (approximately 1 mile).
- The trails are identified with red, circular trail blazes on trees.
- The trails are steep and rocky in places. Hiking poles may be helpful for balancing.
- About 10 yards beyond the kiosk and the entrance to the trail, to the south, there is an outcropping known as Roland’s Rock that offers beautiful views of the valley below and the hills beyond, especially when there are no leaves on the trees.
- The trail to Roland’s Rock is short and relatively flat, and offers a lovely overlook of the valley and horizon.
Accessibility
- The paths are of moderate difficulty, with an unimproved path surface, hilly terrain, and occasional boulders to navigate
- The parking area is spacious but has some uneven terrain.
Location & Parking
- Sardeson Preseve is located on the western edge of Mineral Point, adjacent to the Cowboy Church. From downtown, take WI-39 to Betty Lane and turn left.Ample parking is available at the Argyle Legion Community Park, including accessible spaces.
- The parking area is located up a short drive beside the sign to the preserve off Betty Lane. Please note that the parking area is still being developed and may be muddy after a lot of rain. Feel free to park along Betty Lane. The parking area is spacious but has some uneven terrain.
Preserve Rules
- Preserve hours are dawn to dusk. Camping and building campfires are not allowed.
- Foot traffic only. The trails are designed for hiking and snowshoeing. Horseback riding, bicycles, and motorized equipment are not permitted on the preserve.
- Stay on the trails. Hiking off-trail disturbs vegetation and wildlife, and increases your chances of encountering natural hazards or trespassing outside of preserve boundaries.
- Keep dogs on a leash at all times. Off-leash dogs can stress, injure, or kill wildlife, and may create an unpleasant experience for other visitors.
- Harvesting plants is not allowed. Restoration work is ongoing on this preserve to protect native plant populations.
Explore Our Other Nature Preserves
Volunteer with Us!
Join us for monthly workdays to steward our beautiful nature preserves and trail systems. New volunteers are always welcome – no experience necessary!
Build Deeper Connections with Nature this Earth Month
Shinrin-yoku, the practice translated as Forest Bathing, is an activity that invites us to slow down and really connect with nature, the experience that connects us all. It became popular in Japan in the 1980’s during the technology boom. With people working in...
Possibility
In early August, 2024 we welcomed a brand-new Nature Preserve: Dragon Woods! This beautiful oak woodland in New Glarus is a cooperative project of DALC and the BadgerLand Foundation, which jointly co-manage the nearby Wild Oaks Preserve. We are grateful to the...
It Takes a Village, to Care for Land
Sometimes it’s easy to imagine that the best parts of nature are far away, hidden on high mountaintops or secret valleys, only reachable after a trek and a scramble. But our favorite wild places are often right in our own backyards – and having nature so close to us...