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    Kettle Moraine State Forest - Lapham Peak Unit

    4.6 (51 reviews)
    Open 6:00 am - 9:00 pm

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    Lapham Peak Observation Tower
    Natalie R.

    Great trails here! Well maintained hiking paths and can be enjoyed by hikers of any skill level. Dog friendly (leashed) except for the tower itself. Tower was a great lookout point to view surrounding lakes and forest. New building with restrooms off of the large parking lot at trail heads. Lovely way to enjoy a few hours in nature!

    Cross country ski area
    Ophelia M.

    What a wonderful state park! We had date night plans in Delafield and wanted to include a pre-dinner walk or hike into our plans. We read on Yelp that this state park has plenty of trails and given it was an unseasonably warm February day, we decided to give it a try. We were delighted to find, not only tons of hiking trails, but a pretty impressive cross country ski area. We've never been cross country skiing but after finding this spot so close to Milwaukee have vowed to give it a try one winter. We hiked the ice age trail (the yellow trail) which also led to a built lookout, which was cool (a little too windy to go all the way up when we were there). The trail did have some muddy spots so I lamented having word light sneakers. I'd definitely go for hiking boots my next visit. There were some picnic areas we spied and backpack camping areas. We are excited to picnic and hike this summer! Regardless of the season, though--get to it!

    Stephanie H.

    This is one of my favorite places to go hiking close to Milwaukee. It's only about a 40 minute drive and well worth it. It's worth getting a State Park pass for a year if you enjoy visiting many parks. There's different hikes at many multiple experience levels. You can stop at the look out tower and see excellent views of lakes, holy hill, etc. There are so many trails to explore, so come back several times. I'd highly recommend seeing the stunning Fall colors during October. We like to come here during all seasons. In the winter, they offer cross country skiing as well. I'm going to give it a try this year. Overall, this is a great place to get away from the busy city and get that fresh air.

    Prairie area
    PJ C.

    Over the years as both visitors to the state and now residents we have hiked in this park. It is huge with many interesting trails and a variety of terrain from hilly to flat prairies. There are also a number of geocaches in the park so that is a plus. The fire tower is a big plus for great views on clear days. We have never cross-country skied here since it is too far a drive for us in winter from Madison but I know it is a top notch place with snowmaking and lit trails. I believe you need a special trail pass for that in addition to the state park pass. Looks like they are about to build a large lodge near the cross-country parking lot - this appears to be a very nice addition.

    Taking in the view!
    Julia J.

    Lovely way to spend a beautiful fall day with my friend and her 3.5 year old daughter. We parked near the observation tower and climbed up once before we hiked around the wooded areas. Then her daughter insisted we go back up the observation tower again at the end. Beautifully clean park and not too busy so we were able to chat and not feel like it was too crowded. Would highly recommend this hike/state forest to friends - especially as the colors peak in Wisconsin fall!

    Bob A.

    Hey campers, guess what... there is exactly ONE campsite at this park! That means if you reserve it, the park is all yours for the night! I live in Minnesota and drive through Wisconsin to Chicago enough that I really wanted to break up the drive for once, so I decided to camp here for a night. The sole campsite is technically a backpacking site, but the walk to and from the nearest parking area is only about a quarter-mile. The drinking fountain over there is also the only water source (there aren't even any streams or ponds that I could find), so you might wind up making multiple trips anyway. This isn't a knock, just an observation. The site is really pretty, and very large; large enough to accomodate multiple large tents. In addition to a typical table and fire pit (surrounded by nice log benches), there is a shelter with a big open end where you could pitch a tent with the opening under the shelter. Or you can just use it as a place to store stuff. Whatever you want; I didn't use it when I was there but it's a cool option. The park has a lot of nice trails with some variation in elevation, and most of them are well-marked. There is also a tower with a view that is fetching enough to make it worth the climb. There are other amenities which I didn't visit since I was there to camp by myself; there are "lodges" which appear to only be intended as indoor party rooms, not for overnight stays. There's also an outdoor stage which appears to be used for various theatrical performances. But honestly, I think it's so cool that there's a park like this, all pretty and well-maintained, where you can reserve the only campsite. I look forward to doing it again sometime!

    Do you see what I see?
    Laura S.

    We visited the Lapham Peak Unit to do some hiking on a beautiful sunny weekday in early May, 2023. Our rating would actually be 4,5, but I'm rounding up to 5.0. Park entrance and fees. (rating: 5/5. Good value, especially if you get an annual pass). Daily parking in most (with some exceptions) Wisconsin state state parks is $8 for Wisconsin residents, and $11 for vehicles with out-of-state plates. Alternatively, you can purchase an annual pass (which is valid for the calendar year 2023). An additional Trail Pass is required if you plan to bike, ski, or ride a horse. This additional pass is not required for walkers or hikers. Plan. We were given a brochure that includes a map at the entrance station. We made the first right after the entrance, and parked in the Evergreen Parking Lot. This is a large lot that also has overflow parking. There are large, gender-specific restrooms there, picnic tables, and a water fountain. Armed with the trail map from the entrance station, as well as our AllTrails App, we set off on our hike. We would start on the Ice Age Trail to about the Observation Tower, climb to the top of the tower, have a relaxing picnic lunch at one of the picnic tables in the tower area, and then circle back on the Kettle View/Ice Age Trail. AllTrails showed that this would be about 3.0 miles total. We wore sunscreen and hiking boots (for presumed mud after recent rains; there wasn't too much mud), and carried water and our lunch. I'm heat-sensitive, so I also had a cooling towel that I had soaked in water. I also brought along a pair of hiking poles. Hike (4.5/5). Our actual hike was very good. The trails are well-maintained and well-marked with blazes and signs. Both of these trails were rated as 'intermediate' but most of the ups and downs were gentle. (I realized that I hadn't needed to have carried the hiking poles). There are wooden boardwalks over water-logged areas. Some parts of the trails were gently shaded; others were in full sunlight. There were regular benches along the trail. And, we saw a total of 4 deer and many songbirds along the way. (What are those pretty black birds with a splash of orange?). Usage on the trails was light. We saw a few others hikers and people walking their dogs (on leashes, as required. Thank you!). Bikes are not allowed on these trails. A few things would have made the experience a "5", though not all are within the ability of Wisconsin State Parks to control. -- Noise. The experience of being in nature was diminished by the sound of I-94 traffic, and occasional airplanes. -- Sun. There were some large stretches of the trails that were without shade. While the outdoor temperature was probably only about 75 degrees, it felt much warmer. Lucky that we had worn sunscreen and I had my cooling towel. -- Park map and signage. It's hard to get lost in this park because the signage and blazes are good, and there are regular signs that correspond to coordinates shown on the map (E18, W2, etc.). That said, there were a few critical points at which more signage would have been useful for those completely unfamiliar with the park (like us!) For instance, the Ice Age Trail goes through the Evergreen Park Lot, with trailheads for both directions. But, which direction should you walk to go towards the observation tower? Also, at one point, four of us reached a Y on the Ice Age Trail. The trail continued to the right, but there was no indication that, if you were to go left, you could reach the Observation Tower, a major attraction that we might have missed without AllTrails. The Observation Tower. We are happy to have explored the tower. As mentioned, we hiked to it, but you can also drive to a parking lot close to its base. There's a gender-specific restroom there (pit toilets), a water fountain, picnic tables, and the Lapham Peak Unit's only (reservable) camping site. We climbed up to the top of the tower (5 flights of stairs * 14 steps each = 70 steps) to discover 360-degree views of the surrounding area. Finally, when we finished the hike, we drove over to check out the Nature Center. Unfortunately, it was closed.

    Libby H.

    To get into the park itself, there's an $8 day pass you can purchase unless you have the annual pass already. Great place for hiking! There's many trail options, I did the Ice Age Trail to the Observation Tower and then looped back on another trail that intersects with the Ice Age trail further on. I went with my dog and it took us about an hour and a half. The top of the Observation Tower was a pretty sight. There's a sign that says no dogs, food, or beverage allowed but since it wasn't crowded I took my dog with me up. The paths were well marked and it wasn't too muddy, despite all the rain we had the past week. It wasn't very busy either, which I prefer. The trails I took there weren't any bodies of water, which would've been nice for my dog to cool down in, but I brought him water as well. I would definitely come back!

    Daniela B.

    Great park, with different trails that clearly show its level of. For all ages as it has natural trails and paved trails. A great option for the entire family! Tip: There seems to be more than one parking area, if you see a small area with cars parked along the road, you are not in the main entrance. FYI This is a pet-friendly park.

    Hiking
    Sarah F.

    This place is a staple of mid-Wisconsin and makes for a lovely journey. We actually came in the winter, not knowing what to expect since most pictures and reviews are from Summer/Fall. We absolutely loved visiting, even with snowy flurries and white/gray skies. When we arrived, the lady at the gate told us we shouldn't go up to the Peak because it was too steep...I'm not sure if someone in a small car got stuck somewhere, but it was a piece of cake in my CRV. We are also from Colorado, so it seemed like nothing to us? We would have missed some great hiking and the watchtower if we had listened to her. Definitely make this part of your trip to Wisconsin!

    From the tower
    CJ A.

    Great place to go and hike and spend the day. Lots of maps along the way and trails are marked well. I would suggest bug spray for sure. Bathrooms had toilet paper but also a lot of mosquitoes. Not easy to control that at a place like this. I just appreciated that they were stocked with TP. I only did one trail so looking forward to going back again!

    Winter from lookout tower
    Kyle H.

    Went to Lapham Peak for some winter hiking and sight seeing. Our first stop after paying the parking fees was the lookout tower. About a 45-stair climb (shorter than the tower in Kettle Morraine north) offers great views of local lakes, the city of Milwaukee, kames near and far, and the beautiful oak forest near the tower. This would be a great stop in the summer/fall. We decided to hike the 4.8 mile "red trail" Prairie Path, which also crosses the yellow Ice Age Trail. Park at the Evergreen Lodge for the Prairie Path and also XX skiing, where there is man-made snow, and a small lodge. We had a map, but were pretty disappointed that the red trail was not marked. (W1, W15, W12, W11, W2 junctions- no red squares, no red anything!). It's a huge pet peeve of mine when visiting a new State or County park to see that the locals have left off trail markings because they're so familiar with the area. I'm not sure if the Kame and Kettle View Trails suffer similarly (the Ice Age Trail was marked) but a local lady had to keep telling us where the red trail was. Yes, it's a beautiful area, and all that. You can hike, bike, ski, do horseback riding, bring the dogs, that's awesome; now mark the red Prairie Path and you've got a great park.

    Map of the trails. We managed to ONLY do the red and some of the yellow in the NW quadrant.
    Vee B.

    We took a mid-week Thursday off to trek out to the park with our pooches in late August. It was phenomenal. We had no idea how large the space was. We managed to only check out the NW side of the grounds (red and partial yellow trails in the photo of the trail map) with our two mid-size dogs. At the end of August, there were a lot of dragon flies to keep us company and the yellow flowers were a-plenty throughout the walk. The dogs LOVED it, though STRONGLY recommend you bring enough water for both you and your four-legged friends. Note - there are limited bathrooms, so go before you get there - and bring your own mini-first aide kit if you're hiking. For example, we ensured that we took ample stops in shade, brought sunscreen and kept a light long sleeve to avoid sunburns. Be prepared for skin and hydration safety :) Coming off an ankle break (2.5 months post surgery), this was a great spot to walk and get the cross training I needed to build up my calf, foot and ankle muscle again. We took about 2 hours to wind our way through the space before calling it for the day. We intend to do the central and Eastern side of the space in mid-November as it gets a little colder.

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    Great hiking of all types, dog friendly and plenty levels and distance for hikes, plenty of parking and park maps with marked trails

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    Page 1 of 2

    Ask the Community - Kettle Moraine State Forest - Lapham Peak Unit

    Review Highlights - Kettle Moraine State Forest - Lapham Peak Unit

    Specific amenities include multiple hiking trails of various lengths and intensity, including part of the Ice Age Trail!

    Mentioned in 10 reviews

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    Cushing Memorial Park

    Cushing Memorial Park

    4.8(4 reviews)
    1.5 mi

    tl;dr A gorgeous 8.8 acre park filled with history, giant shade trees, the gentle pleasant sound of…read morewater as it moves along in the Bark River, a crazy unique wooden playground themed after a fort, multiple war memorials, huge shade trees, and a bathroom with drinking fountain. The playground is titled 'Fort Cushing' and is an all wood structure, with primarily a mulch surface and a few minor spots with a rubber surface. Within the playground there are separated areas for the little kids side and the big kids side. The little kids side is fairly small, and consists of two slides, a sandpit, and a few swings. Safety note, the baby swings are crazy high off of the ground since the mulch has been worn down so much, so make sure your kiddo is secured as it would be a huge drop. The big kids side has a variety of slides, bridges, monkey bars, giant tires to climb through as well as a tire swing, and more. Note: The drop off of the covered twist slide also has a huge drop at the end from the worn down mulch. It's definitely a unique playground but if you have little kids you can't trust yet on their own you'll definitely have to be flexible and fast to get through it all. There is a huge open area filled with mature shade trees, a tall monument dedicated to the three Cushing Brothers, as well as an obelisk, and a few other memorials. The park is also situated along the Glacial Drumlin Trail. Oh, and dogs are allowed here! Plus, they have bags available for cleanup. If you're in the area, this park is definitely worth the stop!

    Went here because it was listed as one of the best playgrounds in the MKE metro, and it is indeed…read morethat. All wood, and lots of twists and turns, but fenced in so you can't lose the kids too easily.good amount of parking, but nice bike/walking access through the Lake Country and Ice Age trails. Clean bathrooms. Nice view of the Bark River. Definitely worth a trip out here, plus Delafield is a cute town.

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    Cushing Memorial Park
    Cushing Memorial Park
    Cushing Memorial Park

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    Naga-Waukee County Park - Beach area

    Naga-Waukee County Park

    3.3(3 reviews)
    2.0 mi

    Took the pups here to go paddle boarding…read more Arrived around 8am so still fairly early, it was a little confusing where to park for the beach. The beach parking is the same as the boat launch parking (large lot) there is then a path that will take you down to the beach about .25 mile walk. Not horrible but good to note! We asked the park staff and were informed if the pups are swimming they can be off leash on the sand to go in and out of the water but otherwise their leashes need to be on (which was no problem) Bathrooms located near the water and up by the parking nice and clean. Really only downfall was the labeling of parking for the beach and then access to get there, we only figured it out after driving in circles and finding a park staff member. However now we know! Also there is not an easy way to get into the water (walk in style) with a paddle board, since they only have docks to drop down from so a little challenging with the pups, but otherwise it might be easier if you are going with a kayak. They do also have kayak rentals located in the boat launch area. Will definitely return

    It's really nice for 4th of July fireworks. You can bring a small grill or they have a few…read morepermanent ones if you get there early enough. There are also a number of picnic tables but they also are claimed quickly. The beach is small but never crowded and is a nice sandy beach. The swimming area is adequate, but very rocky. Therefore, I recommend bringing shoes if you are going to walk in the water. There used to be a lifeguard, but as of 2019, there wasn't one for the fireworks. They also have a playground area that is decent but I noticed there was a step that was cracked and I'm not sure how well it's managed. The bathrooms have been under some level of repair for the last 5 years, often a toilet, sink, shower, or urinal. Nothing major, but noticeably annoying. However, they are usually stocked though I've rarely seen staff here to restock. That said, there are showers to rinse and they have a second area in each stall to change or hold dry clothes.

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    Naga-Waukee County Park - Beach area playground

    Beach area playground

    Naga-Waukee County Park - Dog friendly swimming

    Dog friendly swimming

    Naga-Waukee County Park

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    Scuppernong Trail Head

    Scuppernong Trail Head

    4.8(4 reviews)
    7.6 mi

    Easy access from Road ZZ, Dousman, WI. $8 parking fee (Wisconsin residents) or $11 (non-residents)…read more Annual passes also available ($28 residents; $38 non-residents). Plentiful parking. Clean restroom with pit toilets. Picnic tables. Benches. We enjoyed a 3.2 mile hike here. The "red loop" is a 2.3 mile loop to/from the parking lot. We wanted to cover a bit more distance -- so we added a portion of the green loop and the lollipop loop to the observation overlook. (Total distance was 3.2 miles with the amended route). The red loop is the park service as "short and narrow with steep terrain. You'll pass through pine plantations and hardwood forest." We particularly liked this segment, shaded and with the scent of pine. It also appears that some recent work has been done to clear underbrush. The segment of the "green loop" that we did is described as "a roller coaster of hills that you won't soon forget." We found this to be accurate. The trails are well-maintained, with excellent signage along the way. There are regular signs that identify where you are on maps, as well as regular blazes. There are regular benches if you want to stop for a snack. Much of these trails are at least partially shaded with only limited segments and times (noon!) that are in full sun. We saw a fair number of other hikers, perhaps a total of 10-12, even on a Wednesday morning. We also saw a bit of wildlife -- a very fat turkey, butterflies, and bumblebees. (there are also supposed to be ticks, so be careful). Two thing prevent me from giving a 5-star rating. (1) park policy allows pets on the hiking trails if they're on a leash. However, all SIX dogs that we saw were off-leash until the owner saw us. In one case, a large dog came running towards us (with no owner in sight) while we were eating our lunches. Thankfully, he obeyed when my husband told him to sit. (Full disclosure. I'm rather afraid of dogs after having been bit). (2) the park also allows hunting, and suggestions to wear bright clothing and to inquire about hunting seasons. However, no park personnel were on-site and, signage suggested that there's a long-g-g hunting season (Sept 1 to end of May). (May 10, 2023).

    A great trail close to the Milwaukee area. Scuppernong has three different trails, intermediate…read moreand advanced levels. My husband & I really enjoyed it. The area is very clean, and very well kept. I highly recommend to check the Ice Age Trail website before visiting. They have great resources to prepare you for your visit, and even suggestions on where to go in the area depending on your type of visit.m, as well. This is a trail for active people, who are looking to be out in natural trails. Come early, and you'll feel like you have the place to explore all to yourself.

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    Scuppernong Trail Head
    Scuppernong Trail Head
    Scuppernong Trail Head - Do you even Scupp, bro?

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    Do you even Scupp, bro?

    Shorewood Nature Preserve

    Shorewood Nature Preserve

    4.8(4 reviews)
    27.0 mi

    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.

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    Shorewood Nature Preserve
    Shorewood Nature Preserve
    Shorewood Nature Preserve

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    Parnell Tower

    Parnell Tower

    4.6(7 reviews)
    48.2 mi

    This tower has the best views other than flying over. The tower has over 200 steps to the tower and…read more96 up the tower itself. It was definitely worth the effort and time, as you can see for over 20 miles. They have picnic tables and restrooms near the parking area, primative restrooms. Enjoy your lunch with all the wildlife you can imagine.

    Another one of Wisconsin's gems. This State Park is an absolute blast to hike. The loop is…read moreapproximately 4 miles that take you up and down and around another section of the Kettle Moraine State Forest in Plymouth. A set of long stairs usher you up to the tower and that is where we started our journey. We climbed to the top and what a sight it is to see. This tower is high up as it sits on the crest of a hill. Amazing and a bit scary all the same time when you get to the top. Bring your pup cause this place is a perfect little spot to hike thorough with them. Trails are well marked and walking through the forest here is a bit surreal as you are led through windy twists and turns that are littered with rocks and trees and so much nature it is just a pleasure to experience. We drove up from Milwaukee and it takes about 50 minutes to get here. When heading home I suggest taking the scenic route back and driving by Long lake and through the country side of Wisconsin. Lot's to see and just an enjoyable jaunt all around!

    Photos
    Parnell Tower
    Parnell Tower - More of the scenery, great times.

    More of the scenery, great times.

    Parnell Tower - Colors just started to pop out. October 8th, 2025

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    Colors just started to pop out. October 8th, 2025

    Kettle Moraine State Forest - Lapham Peak Unit - parks - Updated May 2026

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