Waukesha, Wisconsin

One of Milwaukee's truly hidden gems, this beach is right off of Capitol Drive and approximately 50 stairs down from the bluffs to the shoreline!  You can park anywhere on the road (Lake Drive) and be a short walk to the main overlook. This beach has many jetties that go out into the water which ...

Placed along the Lake Michigan lakeshore in Grant Park about 10 minutes south of Downtown Milwaukee, Seven Bridges Trail offers beautiful scenery that seems like something out of a fairy tail. The trail begins at the the Covered Bridge Entrance which you can access by entering off of Grant Park D...

This park has it all. There is ample parking, full bathrooms, and picnic areas. The trail starts right at the parking lot and there are two different paths you can take: 1.) Follow the paved path down toward the lake on the north side of the parking lot 2.) Walk straight from the parking lot acro...

At 1350 feet, Powder Hill is the second highest point in southeastern Wisconsin. You can start the hike to Powder Hill from the Nature Trail parking lot (0.5 miles) or from the beach/picnic area parking lot (1.1 miles). There is an observation tower near the top of the peak that provides a pano...

Parking There is a small parking lot off of County Rd H. The trailhead is marked at the back of the lot. Please be advised that there are no facilities here. Trail Description The Bald Bluff Trail starts at the trailhead marked behind the parking lot. From there, the trail traverses 0.5 miles up ...

Lion's Den Gorge is a gorgeous nature preserve featuring a variety of unique nature scenes. The park includes massive bluffs, sand dunes, forests, creeks and bridges, hiking trails and stunning vistas of the Lake Michigan shoreline. The preserve is 72 acres and is located in the town of Grafton, ...

This is a longer hike than just simply appreciating the lake from the top. Follow the signs along the Gorge loop toward the "Stairs". This entire loop will take you approximately 1 hour from the parking lot to the lake roundtrip.  There are multiple routes to the bottom.  For those that want a st...

The Milwaukee River Trailhead for the Ice Age Trail (IAT) is located on WI-28, east of the Kettle Moraine Scenic Drive. Before the hike, make sure to pack water, or hike off-trail to the New Fane trailhead (1.1 mile round trip, we got caught doing this) for an early water source on the trail. The...

Horicon Marsh is located about an hour north of Milwaukee. The wildlife refuge features several trails ranging from a quarter mile up to nearly 3 miles long. Terrain can vary slightly, but most of the land, especially around the wetlands, is flat. The marsh features an abundance of wildlife. Hund...

This state park is about a 30 minute drive north from Milwaukee on I-43. It has beach access along it's entire length, multiple hiking trails, and a great quarry lake that can be used for fishing, hiking, or general exploring. From the parking lot, you can go and hike one two areas (of course the...

This state park is about a 30 minute drive north from Milwaukee on I-43. It has beach access along it's entire length, multiple hiking trails, and a great quarry lake that can be used for fishing, hiking, or general exploring. From the parking lot, go south toward the signs for Quarry lake. There...

Glacial Park is located in McHenry County Conservation District, near Richmond, Illinois. The park features prairies, a flowing river, and over 40 endangered plant and animal species. The park is open for hikers, horseback riders, fishers, and those wishing to canoe. Glacial Park is part of the H...

Park in the lot off of Butler Lane (see map) to access the trail. This trail is open year round, is dog-friendly, and offers a variety of activities. In the winter, bring your snow gear!

This segment of the Ice Age Trail features stairs, river views, pretty rocks, a nice park, and a golf course.  We started at the north end (not the park end) and enjoyed it.  If you have kids, I would recommend starting at the park end.  It is an out-and-back type hike.  From the south end of the...

Located southwest of Plymouth, WI, the Parnell Observation Tower is located just west of the intersection of Cty Road A and Cty Road U. At the trail-head, the parking lot has a restroom facility, drinking water, and a picnic area.The start of the trail has well established wooden steps along the ...