I've been on the hunt for solid paddle boarding spots that aren't too far from Milwaukee…read more We tried the pond at Veterans Park on the lakefront in Milwaukee, but I was so worried about falling in the water (it's not clean...at all) that I didn't enjoy it. We tried Pewaukee Lake, but there was a bit too much motor boat action to enjoy paddle boarding. I was flummoxed, until I spoke to someone who lives in Delafield. She recommended Lower Nemahbin Lake. Yahtzee! With free parking and easy access to a kayak/paddle board dedicated dock, Lower Nemahbin Lake is the perfect lake for us! Clean lake water flanked by lush green without too much motor boat activity (it isn't a wake-free lake but boaters are respectful and aren't abundant), we couldn't ask for a better location for paddle boarding. It has an anchored dock in the middle of the lake that we love paddling out to for an afternoon picnic on the lake (and to let the kiddo get some dock jumping/swimming in). It's also kinda fun to paddle under the overpass. Last time we went through, we were able to see a birds nest with peeping baby birds. All in all, a great spot to spend a leisurely Sunday afternoon. Get to it!

Easy access: ***** Boat traffic: ***** (not a lot)…read moreWater quality: ***** Free access: ***** Lower Nemahbin Lake is located in Waukesha County in the Village of Summit. This review is for the lake in general for kayaking or paddle boarding. We have been kayaking and paddle boarding for three years now and been to 6 different lakes. I've lived on Okauchee Lake and grew up boating on many of these lake. The public access is down Sugar Island Road just off of I94 provides quick and easy access to the lake which is a bonus. Parking is limited but many cars don't seem to follow the signs which limits 10 cars to the parking lot. Without DNR manning and charging people this will happen. Still plenty of room to unload your gear and a short 100 feet walk or so to the kayak launch area with a short 20 feet pier. There is a public launch for boats but is for small fishing boats as it is a shallow launch and very shallow water for a long way past the island. The shallow water way has a sandy bottom so very little to no weeds and warmer water. Lower Nemahbin Lake is a 239 acre lake located in Waukesha County. It has a maximum depth of 36 feet. Visitors have access to the lake from a public boat landing. Fish include Panfish, Largemouth Bass, Smallmouth Bass, Northern Pike and Walleye. Overall a Great Lake to kayak, canoe or paddle boarding.

Went here on a Sunday that was a little overcast not a lot of people here which made it really…read morenice. However the beach is very small and there is public access to the lake right next to the beach which to me as a parent would be scary for little kids getting too close to the boats and vice versa. The snack bar wasn't open at the time we want the playground looks newer and what I've heard from others, but did not see when I went there was you have to pay five dollars to park. Can't get very noisy. I'm sure if it's a hot day and more people are there. It is a beautiful place to view the lake and a lot of benches and picnic tables to sit on.

I enjoyed this Cozy beach not too many people but quite a few kids. I found it to be relaxing and…read morequiet but I did go on a Sunday. This was my first trip and I will return to kayak. The snack bar was not open and from what I heard (running and screaming) the kid's loved the new playground. I took some awesome pictures and scenery was perfect.

Beautiful hiking trails. They are well kept all year long. It's one of our favorite places to go…read more Great place to picnic or spend the day!

A pretty nice state park with a great fire tower that affords an awesome view of the surrounding…read morecountryside (including Holy Hill). We came here to find the oldest Geocache in the state of Wisconsin and other caches too. We hiked a number of trails on a finally nice spring day - sunny and warm! There are some good hills. We picnicked down by the lake where there is a nice beach. Not a huge park but worth a visit.

Beautiful small park in Whitefish Bay! I love the wild flowers, pollinators, blue skies, and the…read morewater. This park is next to a busy road but you wouldn't know it. It's a great place to relax and take nature photos!

This is a nice little spot that I don't think many people know about. We came here on the 4th of…read moreJuly because all of the well know beaches were packed. It was a quiet spot and a decent beach. Couple issues the parking at the top of the hill is only 1 hour so we had to park a street over. Also there is a lot of horseflies so that kind of sucks and the beach is super rocky so not the most fun to walk. Overall if you just want to read and lay out this is the prefect place but maybe bring a fly swatter.

We recently enjoyed a lovely camping trip at the Kettle Moraine State Forest--Southern Unit, which…read moreis situated near the shores of Ottawa lake. They campground is one of the larger state park campgrounds we've been to in Wisconsin. The sites are well maintained and large enough to allow you to spread out a little. We had plenty of room to lounge outside our popup in the evenings and even enjoyed an outdoor movie night two of the nights. They have plenty of sites with hookups, which we were glad for. Our site was just a short walk from the trail that leads to the lake. The trail is also just a 5 minute walk and is paved, which was great. At the lake there's a park with tons of picnic tables and grills. There's also a beach for swimming. We enjoyed kayaking on the lake every day we were here. The sunsets are magical and plenty of wildlife to see on the shores. Plus, we caught a few fish as well. A really lovely oasis just a short 40 minutes or so from Milwaukee. Get to it!

We were there 5 days and still couldn't find our way around. Exit signs would really help and…read morealthough this is a carry out what you carry in I don't like carrying dog poop for an entire 2 mile walk. There were 6 attendants in the park office when I asked where I could dispose of dog poop. NO HELP I was there in August and their ice cream machine was practically empty because it was near the end of the season!!! and they didn't want to keep ice cream over the winter! I negotiated with suppliers when I was 12 years old. I never found an area where I could take my dog swimming. The beach was off limits for pets. The camp hosts were extremely nice and the campsites were clean.

The boat patrol on this lake will harass you and pull you over constantly. It seems they are trying…read moreto drive out anyone who isn't using the lake for fishing or sailing. Tickets are always issued, no warnings. Ridiculous rules that are not well published. Seriously, such a shame to have this lake ruined by the people in charge.

For my 100th review I want to tell you about one of my favorite places ever. I am a little biased…read morebecause I have been swimming in Big Cedar since I was a baby, but this place is the shit. 45 minutes north of Milwaukee, this isn't a quiet Northern Wisconsin lake, this is a big, busy, loved lake. A few short weeks from now, the piers and boats will be out and fall colors will be in full swing. On a clear calm day the lake will reflect the tree's colors and the water will be smooth, this is the perfect time for a canoe ride. You could come out here on a frigid January day when the trees are bare and the lake is frozen. The ice fishers will be out with their trucks and shanties huddled around the good spots, fishing their hearts out. Months later spring's progress will be obvious by the slowly melting ice and the buds on the trees. Piers will go in but the lake will still be quiet until Memorial Day when summer at the lake officially starts. Then the water will be choppy with boat wakes and the smell of bbq will be in the air. The CL Yacht has fireworks on the 4th of July and the that night the bay is full of boats of spectators, on the boat ride home the firework fans on the lake shoot off aftershows from their piers. Most busy weekend afternoons in the summer the shallow sandy area on the east side of the lake is full of boats and swimmers playing frisbee, football, and soaking in the sun. Many of the cottage and lake home owners are from Milwaukee or Chicago but there are enough full time residents for you to notice their presence in the off-season. There are several boat ramps on both the east and west sides of the lake. At this point there are four restaurant/bars on the lake: Timmers, Padways, House of Heileman's and Old Cedar Inn. Most days the best plan is a cocktail cruise on the lake and a grill out. In general people keep to themselves but we are Midwest friendly and if you boat runs out of gas (or you can't figure out where neutral is) it isn't hard to find someone to tow you and your boat home. Stop by Big Cedar for a swim, a boat ride, a sunset, or a drink and fish fry at Timmers; chances are you'll come back again soon.

Clear Water has such a convenient location for popping in to explore Milwaukee by kayak. It was so…read moreeasy and fun!

Damn inflation... it used to be 25/hr in 2020.. but it is fun. You should ask for a dry bag. I…read morebrought a cheap little speaker and a small cooler and had a blast. Definitely bring sunblock, and clothes/shoes you wouldn't mind getting wet or will dry quick. Sunglasses and/cap recommended. Try not to bring anything you would hate to lose.

This magical, somewhat hidden spot has been a longtime favorite. I started coming here as a kid and…read morenow bring my two kids here for some oneness with nature. It's small and there are only a few short trails, but it's as serene and lovely as can be. Fall is a perfect time to check it out, but wear shoes that can handle mud and slippery leaves. Be sure to head all the way down to the water. The beach is minimal, but the kids will entertain themselves for hours climbing on fallen trees, looking for the perfect rock and perhaps building a shelter out of branches. One last tip: On your way down the steep hill, borrow a walking stick that you'll find on the left hand side near the entrance. Just be sure to return it for the next explorer to use.

I came here all the time when I was a kid and had the pleasure of returning recently. There are…read moreseveral short hiking loops through the woods and a steep entry trail that goes straight down to the water. There is less beach than there used to be; perhaps it's an erosion issue. If you hike along the water, the beach opens up in a few places. It's very secluded! If you take the trails off to the north of the main one, you should stumble upon a bunch of old wooden benches, which are remnants of a long-gone outdoor church. High schoolers frequent this place to, well, do the things that high schoolers do. Don't worry though, they're more scared of you than you are of them. This is a wonderful place to get close to nature. It's generally very quiet. I've seen deer, bats, lots of interesting mushrooms, and many varieties of wildflower. The trail can be overgrown, but it is still quite clear. It's not possible to get lost, as the park is rather small, and all the trails are loops. Just be careful about wandering onto private property. No one seems to care too much, but there are "no trespassing" signs by the fences. If you want better beach, you might have to ignore the warnings, but you didn't hear it from me. Also, be careful along the shore here-- it can be tricky to traverse.