It’s just too nice to not explore the wonderful state park and other hiking areas that Wisconsin has to offer. But maybe you’re not in the best hiking shape (yet!) or don’t have a ton of time to spend. Here are 11 places that perfectly sate your need to experience the best short hikes in Wisconsin. There’s no better way to while away the hours then spend some time in Wisconsin hiking, and these incredible hikes are great for folks of all ages and experiences. Learn more below, and perhaps plan a trip for yourself!
- Devil’s Lake State Park
Joshua Mayer/Flickr Devil’s Lake State Park definitely makes the list of best short hikes in Wisconsin, even though it is known as the biggest state park in the state. You can hang around the large lake, or take many small hiking trails just outside. S5975 Park Rd, Baraboo, WI 53913.
- Governor Dodge State Park
Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources/Flickr Governor Dodge State Park is a 5,270-acre Wisconsin state park. Steep hills, bluffs, and valleys are the main attractions, but there are still plenty of easy hikes to choose from. 4175 Wisconsin 23, Dodgeville, WI 53533.
- Willow River State Park
Wendy Berry/Flickr Willow River has 3000 acres of prairies, forests, and rivers. The waterfalls are nice to see, too. 1034 Co Rd A, Hudson, WI 54016.
- Blue Mound State Park
benet2006/Flickr There are 20 miles here for you to hike. Being perched on top of such a large hill, you get some pretty amazing views of some unique geological features, making this one of the best spots for hiking trails in Wisconsin. 10824 Village Cir, Blue Mounds, WI 53517.
- Kettle Moraine State Forest
ajanettew/Flickr This forest takes up a great deal of southeastern Wisconsin, which is where there is no address. For being so big, there are numerous smaller trails for you to take. There are 250 miles for you to choose from among two units, the north, and south.
- Peninsula State Park
Jim Bauer/Flickr Peninsula State Park is just under 4,000 acres in Door County. There are trails through the forest, as well as nice trails along the 8 miles of shoreline. You’ll find some of the best short hikes in Wisconsin hidden away within the park! 9462 Shore Rd, Fish Creek, WI 54212.
- Horicon Marsh
chumlee10/Flickr There are exactly five miles for you to take through Horicon Marsh. If you’re into birds, there is plenty to see here. There are loops as short as a half-mile. N7725 WI-28, Horicon, WI 53032.
- Perrot State Park
Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources/Flickr This 1300 acre state park is in Wisconsin’s Driftless Area, at the confluence of the Trempealeau and Mississippi rivers. You will enjoy awesome views of steep limestone bluffs and the river valleys. W26247 Sullivan Rd, Trempealeau, WI 54661.
- High Cliff State Park
Royal Broil/Flickr This state park is off of Lake Winnebago, which is Wisconsin’s largest lake. People geek out over the 12-foot statue of Winnebago Indian Chief Red Bird, who watches overall. N7630 State Park Rd, Sherwood, WI 54169.
- Potawatomi State Park
Rich Techlin/Flickr This park is located along Sturgeon Bay in Door County. There are trails as short as a half-mile, such as the Ancient Shore Trail, and much longer ones for more experienced (and motivated) hikers. 740 Park Dr, Sturgeon Bay, WI 54235.
- Copper Falls State Park
Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources/Flickr This state park offers deep gorges and breathtaking waterfalls. You will also be stunned to learn that you can also observe ancient lava flows. Mellen, WI.
What do you think of our list of the best short hikes in Wisconsin? Which one is your favorite? It’s hard to choose just one! Make sure you leave your favorite tips and tricks in the comments below to help out hikers that follow in your footsteps.
Joshua Mayer/Flickr
Devil’s Lake State Park definitely makes the list of best short hikes in Wisconsin, even though it is known as the biggest state park in the state. You can hang around the large lake, or take many small hiking trails just outside. S5975 Park Rd, Baraboo, WI 53913.
Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources/Flickr
Governor Dodge State Park is a 5,270-acre Wisconsin state park. Steep hills, bluffs, and valleys are the main attractions, but there are still plenty of easy hikes to choose from. 4175 Wisconsin 23, Dodgeville, WI 53533.
Wendy Berry/Flickr
Willow River has 3000 acres of prairies, forests, and rivers. The waterfalls are nice to see, too. 1034 Co Rd A, Hudson, WI 54016.
benet2006/Flickr
There are 20 miles here for you to hike. Being perched on top of such a large hill, you get some pretty amazing views of some unique geological features, making this one of the best spots for hiking trails in Wisconsin. 10824 Village Cir, Blue Mounds, WI 53517.
ajanettew/Flickr
This forest takes up a great deal of southeastern Wisconsin, which is where there is no address. For being so big, there are numerous smaller trails for you to take. There are 250 miles for you to choose from among two units, the north, and south.
Jim Bauer/Flickr
Peninsula State Park is just under 4,000 acres in Door County. There are trails through the forest, as well as nice trails along the 8 miles of shoreline. You’ll find some of the best short hikes in Wisconsin hidden away within the park! 9462 Shore Rd, Fish Creek, WI 54212.
chumlee10/Flickr
There are exactly five miles for you to take through Horicon Marsh. If you’re into birds, there is plenty to see here. There are loops as short as a half-mile. N7725 WI-28, Horicon, WI 53032.
This 1300 acre state park is in Wisconsin’s Driftless Area, at the confluence of the Trempealeau and Mississippi rivers. You will enjoy awesome views of steep limestone bluffs and the river valleys. W26247 Sullivan Rd, Trempealeau, WI 54661.
Royal Broil/Flickr
This state park is off of Lake Winnebago, which is Wisconsin’s largest lake. People geek out over the 12-foot statue of Winnebago Indian Chief Red Bird, who watches overall. N7630 State Park Rd, Sherwood, WI 54169.
Rich Techlin/Flickr
This park is located along Sturgeon Bay in Door County. There are trails as short as a half-mile, such as the Ancient Shore Trail, and much longer ones for more experienced (and motivated) hikers. 740 Park Dr, Sturgeon Bay, WI 54235.
This state park offers deep gorges and breathtaking waterfalls. You will also be stunned to learn that you can also observe ancient lava flows. Mellen, WI.
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Address: Devil’s Lake State Park, S5975 Park Rd, Baraboo, WI 53913, USAAddress: 4175 WI-23, Dodgeville, WI 53533, USAAddress: 1034 Co Rd A, Hudson, WI 54016, USAAddress: 10824 Village Cir, Blue Mounds, WI 53517, USAAddress: Kettle Moraine State Forest, Kewaskum, WI 53040, USAAddress: 9462 Shore Rd, Fish Creek, WI 54212, USAAddress: N7725 WI-28, Horicon, WI 53032, USAAddress: Perrot State Park, Trempealeau, WI 54661, USAAddress: High Cliff State Park Rd, Menasha, WI 54952, USAAddress: Potawatomi State Park, 3740 Park Dr, Sturgeon Bay, WI 54235, USAAddress: Copper Falls State Park, 36764 Copper Falls Rd, Mellen, WI 54546, USA
The OIYS Visitor Center
best short hikes in Wisconsin October 24, 2020 Meghan Kraft What are the best waterfall hikes in Wisconsin? If you’re looking for more fun hiking opportunities in Wisconsin, then we’d highly recommend that you make your way to one of these top, easy-access waterfall hikes. Lost Creek Falls is great for folks of all ages and is located in Cornucopia, and you can visit Dave’s Falls in Amber, Upson Falls in Upson, or perhaps even the twin falls, Cascade and Geiger Falls, in Osceola. Wisconsin is known for its dramatic coastlines, but there’s something about the hidden beauty of midwestern waterfall that really ups the ante on family vacations. What are the most beautiful lakes in Wisconsin? Wisconsin is best known for its natural beauty and it boasts a series of lakes that are perfect to visit no matter the time of year. Perhaps the most popular lake is the famed Lake Michigan, but with more than 15,000 lakes throughout the state, there’s no shortage of beautiful places. Make sure you put Lake Geneva on your bucket list, and Green Lake is known as one of the best places to visit in the state with a depth of 237-feet. Visiting the capital? Make sure to check out Lake Monona! What are the best beaches in Wisconsin? You’ll find a series of lakefront beaches in Wisconsin since the state is tucked far and away from any ocean in the United States. Ocean-esque beaches include the Great Lakes coastlines, Big Bay Beach on Madeline Island, and North Beach in Racine.
The OIYS Visitor Center
best short hikes in Wisconsin
October 24, 2020
Meghan Kraft
What are the best waterfall hikes in Wisconsin? If you’re looking for more fun hiking opportunities in Wisconsin, then we’d highly recommend that you make your way to one of these top, easy-access waterfall hikes. Lost Creek Falls is great for folks of all ages and is located in Cornucopia, and you can visit Dave’s Falls in Amber, Upson Falls in Upson, or perhaps even the twin falls, Cascade and Geiger Falls, in Osceola. Wisconsin is known for its dramatic coastlines, but there’s something about the hidden beauty of midwestern waterfall that really ups the ante on family vacations. What are the most beautiful lakes in Wisconsin? Wisconsin is best known for its natural beauty and it boasts a series of lakes that are perfect to visit no matter the time of year. Perhaps the most popular lake is the famed Lake Michigan, but with more than 15,000 lakes throughout the state, there’s no shortage of beautiful places. Make sure you put Lake Geneva on your bucket list, and Green Lake is known as one of the best places to visit in the state with a depth of 237-feet. Visiting the capital? Make sure to check out Lake Monona! What are the best beaches in Wisconsin? You’ll find a series of lakefront beaches in Wisconsin since the state is tucked far and away from any ocean in the United States. Ocean-esque beaches include the Great Lakes coastlines, Big Bay Beach on Madeline Island, and North Beach in Racine.
The OIYS Visitor Center
The OIYS Visitor Center
If you’re looking for more fun hiking opportunities in Wisconsin, then we’d highly recommend that you make your way to one of these top, easy-access waterfall hikes. Lost Creek Falls is great for folks of all ages and is located in Cornucopia, and you can visit Dave’s Falls in Amber, Upson Falls in Upson, or perhaps even the twin falls, Cascade and Geiger Falls, in Osceola. Wisconsin is known for its dramatic coastlines, but there’s something about the hidden beauty of midwestern waterfall that really ups the ante on family vacations.
What are the most beautiful lakes in Wisconsin?
Wisconsin is best known for its natural beauty and it boasts a series of lakes that are perfect to visit no matter the time of year. Perhaps the most popular lake is the famed Lake Michigan, but with more than 15,000 lakes throughout the state, there’s no shortage of beautiful places. Make sure you put Lake Geneva on your bucket list, and Green Lake is known as one of the best places to visit in the state with a depth of 237-feet. Visiting the capital? Make sure to check out Lake Monona!
What are the best beaches in Wisconsin?
You’ll find a series of lakefront beaches in Wisconsin since the state is tucked far and away from any ocean in the United States. Ocean-esque beaches include the Great Lakes coastlines, Big Bay Beach on Madeline Island, and North Beach in Racine.
