Spend the afternoon with family and explore Fonferek’s Glen County Park, a 74-acre nature reserve located in Green Bay. The county park is most known for its beautiful waterfall, which is one of the few waterfalls in Wisconsin. The only other waterfall in the Green Bay area is Wequiock Falls! The waterfall is generally frozen in the winter and flows during the spring.
The park features plenty of wide-open space to explore, and families can trek along the Dolomite cliffs or creek and take in the scenery of the 30-foot waterfall! It’s also one of our favorite Green Bay hiking trails.
Fonferek’s Glen has been a popular destination for nature lovers since it opened in 1991. The county park was established when the Brown County Park Department acquired the land from the Fonferek Family.
While walking the 0.5-mile trail loop that spans the Fox River, families can also check out the many native trees and spot small animals scurrying about. Bring a pair of binoculars – the area’s openness and lush trees make it a prime bird-watching spot!
The park is part of the Niagara Escarpment, and the rocky limestone cliffs remind us of the much larger rock formations at High Cliff State Park in Sherwood and Bay Shore County Park in New Franken (northern Green Bay).
Fossils
There is also a geological treat in store for visitors! Occasionally, families can stumble across history within the rocks by finding fossils! Over the years, Tabulate Coral has been spotted in the Dolostone layers. Tabulate Coral, an extinct form of coral consists of hexagonal cells called Corallites, which form a honeycomb shape and act as a skeleton for Calcite. They are from the early Ordovician period and are a type of species that were essential reef makers and most common in water-bedded areas.
Are dogs allowed at Fonferek Glen?
Dogs are welcome but must be on a leash.
Parking
The park is located off Interstate Highway 43. A house and a barn are at the entrance, and it looks like you are driving into someone’s yard. The house is privately owned, but there is a small parking area between the house and the barn. The lookout area to the waterfall is a short paved walk.
Hours
The park is open from 8:00 am – sunset and is controlled by an electronic gate at the entrance.
Things to Do while at Fonferek’s Glen
- Try Nature Yoga – Find a safe, comfortable, and quiet spot to stretch out. Work through stretches and poses while listening to the sounds in nature or follow a free guided meditation session on YouTube or on an app like Headspace.
- Paint the Scene – Pack a set of paint pens and a sketchpad. Document the scene on paper between the beautiful trees and the tranquil waterfall.
- Go on a Scavenger Hunt – Kids will especially love adventure and an opportunity to be curious with a fun scavenger hunt! Make a list of items to find, and when that object is located, check it off the list! T
- Picnic at the Park – No matter the season, families can bring along a picnic lunch and enjoy it at the park. Wintertime snacks like popcorn and hot chocolate can be part of a perfect little break. Be sure to clean up the area and carry out any garbage to dispose of at home.
- Snap Some Photos – Are you a shutterbug behind the lens? Fonferek provides an amazing opportunity to develop photography skills by providing a stunning landscape! Kids can enjoy taking pictures, too.
- Fonferek’s Glen, 2825 Dutchman Rd, Green Bay, WI (Brown County)
