Loved gawking here I actually had the best gawk of my life on this walk, talk, and gawk trail. Hope…read moreto bring my family out here to gawk with me one day!!

This was right up our alley. You have the opportunity to walk the shoreline on this unique path…read more Each home has their own spin on the path and some embrace while others pretend it isn't there. Wear comfortable shoes, even better if they are waterproof - our Vessi's were perfect! Terrain is anywhere from easy to mild and potentially mud ridden like ours was today. Beautiful and fun!

This trail is an excellent alternative to the longer, more strenuous nearby Scuppernong Trails just…read moreeast of here. But unlike those color coded trails, there's more to see along this 1.2 mile trail. Some of the springs are just mesmerizing. Seeing water bubble up from underwater sands is almost hypnotic. Other springs flow out of the ground and hillsides. Although shorter than even the shortest of the neighboring trails, definitely plan on spending an hour here, you'll be stopping often to take in the many features along the trail.

The Scuppernong Springs Nature Trail, across from the Ottawa Lake Recreation Area check in, is an…read moreeasy hike featuring dozens of natural springs, and the remnants of an old marl works plant. Differing from the other more wooded Scuppernong Trail, the Springs Nature trail is unique in its spring features and history. Check out the self guide for an explanation of natural springs, the marl plant and hotel, and the Native American settlement previously here. http://dnr.wi.gov/files/PDF/pubs/pr/PR0230.pdf The springs bubble up through the sand like something out of the movie the Labrynth, and also flow out of the hillside. It's a really unique feature. This is an easy unique hike that the whole family can enjoy.

This short little trail can be walked in less than ten minutes and may not offer much in the way of…read morebreathtaking natural splendor, but I did see or hear at least ten different kinds of birds, including several warblers. The trail itself is a mix of wood chips and mowed grass, and a few sections may pose a challenge to people with problems balancing on uneven ground. That said, there was no poison ivy anywhere close to the trail. The trail criss-crosses with the Van Slyke Creek, a creek that is roughly 8' wide and rolls along at a decent clip. If you're patient and have good timing, you can see trout and other fish as well as frogs. For younger children, there are a few stations at which the book "Old Shell, New Shell" are posted. To read this start to finish, one should start the trail at the Mill House Pavilion at the west end of the trail, close to the Fontana Elementary School.

We were driving from Madison to Kopps in Brookfield and decided to stop by this forest since we've…read morepassed it so many times. We parked at the south unit, where there's plenty of parking, and set out on the trail during the first week of September. Be prepared for mosquitoes; definitely bring repellent and consider wearing dark-colored clothing. The trails are generally well maintained, though some areas have taller shrubs. We saw a couple of Indian springs. Overall, it's a fairly easy and enjoyable hike.

The Kettle Moraine State Forest (southern unit) encompasses a few campgrounds, many hiking trails,…read moreOttawa Lake, and is home to two of the best mountain biking trails in the State. Easily accessible from Madison, Milwaukee, Chicago, it feels remote without being too far from the closest cities. I've camped in the Pinewoods Campground here for many falls- and biked both the Emma Carlin and John Muir Trails. The mountain biking is great, but (as a novice) I always bump the given difficulty levels up a notch. Medium is Difficult, etc. Ottawa Lake campgrounds is good for families who want direct access to the Lake. The Lake has a beach, a fishing pier, a dog pier, kayak/canoe launch. Pinewoods sites are actually really secluded. True to name, they're amongst towering pines. The facilities are cleaned once a day. Scuppernong Trail is a great system of a few hikes amongst the pines, and the Scuppernong Springs Nature Trail is an easy hike with bubbling springs, that the family will love.

Big Foot Beach State Park was conveniently located near a wedding, allowing us to camp here instead…read moreof doing a hotel. The state park is much smaller than average. Additionally, there is not as much to do. There are some trails, although they were cutting plants and working on some. The main attraction was the lagoon near the road. The city was working on gates from the lagoon with painted crosswalks. Given the minimal traffic past downtime, walking on the side of the road is safe enough. It connects to the Lake Geneva lake trail that goes through the backyards of nice houses. Calling it a beach state park is a bit of a stretch. Across the road from the entrance lays about 2 feet of sandy beach. The campsite does have RV options.

Its ok. The beach area is very small, if they simply raked the beach to make a bigger beach area,…read morethat will eliminate the weeds and burs, along with the sticks and other debris. Lots of big rocks after walking into the lake, wear water shoes. It is marked off so boats and jet skis can't enter the area. Easy access from Big Foot Camp grounds.

Trails for all levels are plentiful at Lapham Peak. I hiked portions of Ice Age trail up to the…read moreobservation tower. The trial was well marked, with a mix of board walk, crushed stone and hard pack. Various intersecting trails allow you to spend any amount of time you'd like enjoying this beautiful park. Multiple restrooms are located at the various parking lots but be prepared.

Beautiful state park with plenty of trails to hike on with different difficulties! I've been here…read moreplenty of times with the latest in mid December 2025 with winter conditions during mid day. We went cross country skiing with rentals from Nordic Specialists located in the Evergreen Shelter next to the Evergreen lodge. Entry is with a fee or free with your purchase annual WI State parks pass. Not too far from the city, this place has the solitude and nature getaway not too far from the city. Xski rentals were $30 for classic ski that came with shoes poles and skis for two hours. It's also nice in the summer for getting a hike in whether you want a short one or a challenging long hike. There's also an observatory tower you can hike up flights of stairs for a nice view! The evergreen lodge is new and spacious to stay warm during the winter or cool in the shade in the off-winter time.

Retzer has a planetarium that shows the most amazing programs. We saw Astronomica, the 3rd in the…read moreseries by James Hood. It was fantastic, and I was actually buzzing physically at the end. We also learned about the all upcoming presentations and we plan to attend as often as possible. This is a little theater that is so unique and should not be dismissed. The entire nature center and grounds are beautiful, and hiking the woods is always a pleasure. The downside is that dogs are not allowed, but that is understandable since they protect nature as much as possible. Please take a look at their website and do yourself a favor by attending an event or two. It really is a great way to spend an evening or hike for the day. The entire area is 483 acres, and is open at 6:00 am until 10:00 pm. There is no charge for parking or entering the park. Only the events have a fee, and it is not expensive. And everything inside is easily accessible for anyone with mobility issues.

We love this center and park grounds, though are always bummed to not be able to bring a dog. The…read moretrails are well groomed or over and there's a lot for little ones to find.

The Fox River Sanctuary is just shy of a 100 acres of river front park land. On any given morning…read moreyou'll find a perfectly groomed dew adorned lawn sparkling in the sun's rays. This is one of the most peaceful parks in the Waukesha area despite being bounded on the south by an industrial park and on the north by INNIO Waukesha Gas Engines Inc. (previously occupied by GE Power & Water). The park serves as a flood plain for these areas and the Hamilton Ave Neighborhood to the east. Towards the east end of the sanctuary, wildlife enthusiasts can make use of high wooden stands/benches/tables (not entirely clear what these are) as they observe their surroundings, jotting the highlights down and taking snapshots. In fact the Fox River Sanctuary is home of the E.B. Shurts Environmental Education Center. A great place to visit and immerse one's self in the grandeur offered by the area. On the west end of the sanctuary is an old abandoned railroad trestle which you can get to by following the Glacial Drumlin Trail, cutting right when you hit the railroad bed. Follow the old rails though the thicket and you'll soon find yourself there. Great park to explore in all seasons.