No more cliff jumping at popular Pewits Nest near Wisconsin Dells because of safety concerns

The Department of Natural Resources says that it is imposing restrictions on a picturesque property near Devil's Lake State Park. 

The Natural Resources Board on Wednesday approved new management plans for a dozen state natural areas, including new restrictions on a popular spot in Sauk County where some visitors have used the cliffs above Skillet Creek to jump into the creek’s pools.

The protections at the 34-acre Pewits Nest State Natural Area calls for adding fencing and establishing a closed area at the edge of the gorge to keep hikers from crawling along the shaded cliff walls and leaping into the 30- to 40-foot-deep gorge.

Scenic overlooks would be retained. A stairway from the valley floor to the top also would be built to control the movement of visitors.

Even before the vote, DNR authorities decided this month to close public access in some areas.

The DNR said the reason for the new restrictions is public safety —– people have been injured, some seriously, while jumping from the cliffs. Officials also want to control foot traffic on cliff walls and other areas to protect vegetation.

Blogger Derrick Mayoleth of Baraboo, who has been tracking natural resource issues in the region for years, said in an interview he agreed with the restrictions.

His blog showed some people opposed the fencing, saying the approach seemed heavy-handed. But most agreed that limits were needed to protect the area.