Clifty Falls State Park

Listen, if you want to hook a kid on the outdoors, start with waterfalls. Clifty Falls delivers four major cascades within easy hiking distance of our campground. I've seen boys who claimed they 'didn't like hiking' spend hours exploring these trails, scrambling over rocks, and getting soaked in the mist. The campground has real bathrooms and hot showers - perfect for families testing the waters. Plus, Madison's historic downtown is right there if you need a pizza run. This is where adventure starts, and I've never seen a kid leave here without asking 'when's the next trip?' It's close, it's affordable, and it works every single time.