Where to find great hiking & walking trails in Wisconsin
It’s time to hit the trails in Wisconsin—lace up your hiking boots or walking shoes and explore some of the best routes in the state. Here’s a region-by-region breakdown of where to go.
Northern Wisconsin
Northern Wisconsin is home to stunning vistas of woods and water, making it the ideal place for a hike through nature. The Northern Highland-American Legion State Forest (NHAL) covers more than 200,000 acres in Vilas County, Oneida County, and Iron County in the heart of the Northwoods. Check out the Raven Trail (14.5 miles of routes along Clear Lake near Minocqua) and the Lumberjack Trail (which follows the Manitowish River and connects to the Escanaba Trail southeast of Boulder Junction).
The Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest spans a whopping 11 counties in northern Wisconsin, from Ashland County in the northwest to Oconto County in the east. A spot of particular note is St. Peter’s Dome south of Ashland, which offers outstanding views of Chequamegon Bay, Lake Superior and the Apostle Islands. The 3.6-mile St. Peter’s Dome/Morgan Falls Trail is a challenging hike with some steep climbs, but the views are worth it.
Central Wisconsin
The Fox River State Trail starts in downtown Green Bay and stretches for 25 miles along a former railroad corridor and is a popular spot for walkers, joggers, and bikers in the warmer months. The trail is open daily year-round, and trailheads can be found in downtown Green Bay, at the Fox Point Boat Launch in De Pere, and in the community of Greenleaf in Brown County.
If you’re visiting Marshfield, don’t miss the unique Wildwood Zoo, which is home to twin Kodiak bears, mountain lions, elk, bison, and much more—and when you’re done touring this walkable attraction, check out the rest of Wildwood Park, where you’ll find three miles of paved and crushed-granite trails to explore.
Southern Wisconsin
Lion’s Den Gorge Nature Preserve is a 73-acre public park on the shores of Lake Michigan in Ozaukee County in southeastern Wisconsin. The preserve is home to one of the last stretches of undeveloped bluffs along Lake Michigan between Mequon and Port Washington, and the preserve is home to several miles of trails that offer outstanding views of the lake.
Governor Dodge State Park west of Madison covers more than 5,000 acres, making it one of Wisconsin’s largest state parks. The park boasts nearly 40 miles of maintained trails, all of which are open to hiking in spring, summer, and fall.
