(Pictured above The Kettle Moraine State Forest)
It is a four hour plus drive to the forests, lakes, and trails of the Northwoods. No need to pack up the car and trek far away, endless best kept secrets for solitude and relaxation await right here in Southern Wisconsin's county and state parks, lakes, rivers and trails.
There are also SNAs or State Natural Areas tucked in lesser known places in Dane, Rock, and Sauk counties, that are worth a day trip but be sure to bring hiking boats, tick spray for the dogs and a little sense of adventure with patience. Those hardy hikers on the unmarked SNA trails will be rewarded with a deeper connection to nature in less trekked open green spaces of tangled forests and tail prairie grasses and native flowers.
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Lakes Edition (LE) covers Southern Wisconsin's great outdoors with in depth reviews and
photo journalism. Read LE's articles before planning that next weekend vacation or day
tripping adventure. Here's a complimentary guide to some of Southern Wisconsin's best
hiking trails
Events
Hike The Ice Age Trail For The New Year
We hike every Tuesday ( 4:00 PM - 6:00 PM CST) from dramatic wooded hills to expansive rolling prairies, the scenic 26-mile Ice Age Trail in the Southern Kettle Moraine State Forest is an experience in contrasts at any time of year. We hike approximately 3 miles.A full list of fall candlelight hikes can be found on the DNR’s Events Calendar. For more information on park properties and locations, visit the DNR’s Find A Park webpage.
Location at the Hwy 12 crossing located about 4 miles east of Whitewater, Hwy 12 & Sherwood forest Rd DNR parking lot Fees/Admission: state park pass is required
Contact Andrew Whitney 262-949-0286 for information.
Hike Southern Wisconsin State Parks This Fall By Candlelight
The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) invites the public to participate in candlelight events this fall and experience our state-managed properties in a new light. State parks, forests, trails and recreation areas provide the perfect backdrop for enjoying autumn in Wisconsin, especially at night. This fall’s candlelight events kick off Saturday, Oct. 12, with illuminated walks at Council Grounds and Kohler-Andrae state parks, and more are scheduled through Nov. 2.. Candlelight hikes are popular with our visitors because they offer such a special experience,” said Steve Schmelzer, DNR Parks and Recreation Management director. “From fall colors and crisp autumn air to toasty bonfires and jack-o’-lanterns, these events embrace some of the best parts of the fall season. We invite everyone to explore Wisconsin’s parks in a new light or visit a new-to-you property for a candlelight event.”A full list of fall candlelight hikes can be found on the DNR’s Events Calendar.
For more information on park properties and locations, visit the DNR’s Find A Park webpage.
Fall Into Fall At The Rock River Heritage County Park
Saturday, October 5 the Heritage Park Friends is hosting a Fall Into Fall event at Rock River Heritage County Park, formerly Camp Indian Trails. The October 5 event features a guided hike at 10 a.m. followed at 11 a.m. by beer tasting with Good Works Brewing, food trucks, live music by The Mood Family Band, yard games, kids games and a story walk. The post hike event lasts from 11a.m. to 2p.m.
Rock River Heritage County Park is located at 5801 N. River Road, Janesville.
June Is National Health Observances Month Brought To You By Health.gov
Jun 24, 2024 Each month, we feature select National Health Observances (NHOs) that support our mission to improve health across the United States. In May, we're raising awareness about physical fitness, mental health, older adults' health and well-being, and women's health. Use our list of resources.
May Is National Fitness Month
May 1 - 31, 2024
Hit The Trails May is National Physical Fitness & Sports Month The President’s Council on Sports, Fitness & Nutrition and the Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion’s (ODPHP) have created the "Move Your Way" campaign to encourage Americans to get out and move for your health. And now more than ever with the CDC easing restrictions on outdoor, and Summer just around the corner, it; is a great time to realize your New Year's resolutions.
Southern Wisconsin is blessed with seemingly endless outdoor places to celebrate National Physical Fitness and Sports Month. Lakesedition.com is a great mobile resource for discovering those wonderful places in our region to recreate. On land you can't wrong with hike through Southern Wisconsin's largest contiguous forest, the Kettle Moraine State Forest Southern Unit near Whitewater. or hike to the top of Magnolia Bluff just south of Evansville. Have fun and good hiking.
On Your Own Ice Age Trail Hike and Scavenger Hunt
May 5, 2024 - 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM
Cross Plains- Join the Cross Plains Chamber of Commerce, Lions Club, along with other community partners for a full day of family-friendly events. Including, community-wide garage sales, live music, food trucks, Human Foosball, KenDucky Derby on the Black Earth Creek, fishing demonstrations, and on-your-own scavenger hunt hike along the Ice Age Trail.
Location: Stop by the Ice Age Trail Alliance office anytime between 10:00 am and 2:00 pm on Saturday, May 6 to get your scavenger hunt bingo card before you enjoy a hike along the Ice Age Trail. The Alliance office located at 2110 Main Street, Cross Plains. Parking will not be available at the office but will be available on public streets. Follow the yellow Ice Age Trail Event yard signs.
Snowshoe Hike along Ice Age Trail At Forest Headquarters
January 28, 2023 - 11:00 AM to 12:00 PM
We are making tracks in the KMSF-SU! Join us on a series of hikes/snowshoeing jaunts throughout the forest. We will be looking for and identifying animal tracks. Dress warm and join us for an adventure! We have snowshoes to lend out during the event, including children’s sizes. Supplies are limited. This hike features moderate hills and is 2 miles long.
Location: Meet at Forest Headquarters– S91 W39091 State Hwy 59 in Eagle.
Website:
EVENT WEBSITE
Night time Ski, Hike, Snowshoe - Kettle Moraine State Forest (KMSF)
Southern Unit
January 21, 2023 - 6:00 PM to 9:00 PM
Join a magical evening of free, candlelit recreation. The forest and trails will be glowing with 450 candle luminaries. Warm up after your hike or ski with a bonfire. Chili and hot chocolate will be available for purchase, with all sales benefitting the Friends of Kettle Moraine State Forest Southern Unit. Leashed dogs are welcome on the ski trails for this night only.
Location: Meet at the Nordic Trailhead located at N9084 Cty Road H in Whitewater
Website: EVENT WEBSITE.
Candlelight Hike - Rock River Heritage Park
January 21, 2023 - 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM
Enjoy a winter hike in Rock County’s newest County Park, formerly the BSA Camp Indian Trails.
This is approximately a ½ mile loop hike. Please try to be there at the time it begins. The event includes fire warming pits and treats. FREE to attend, but donations are welcome and accepted for
improvements in Rock County Parks.
Event Host: Ice Age Trail Alliance
Location: 5801 N River Rd, Janesville,
Website: EVENT WEBSITE
Candlelight Hike - Storrs Lake Wildlife Area
January 7, 2023 - 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM
Join the Rock County Chapter of the Ice Age Trail Alliance for a candlelight hike!
This is approximately a ½ mile loop hike. Please try to be there at the time it begins. The event includes fire warming pits and treats. FREE to attend, but donations are welcome and accepted for
improvements along the Ice Age Trail in Rock County.
Event Host: Ice Age Trail Alliance
Location: Storrs Lake Wildlife Area, Milton
Event Website: EVENT WEBSITE
FOUR SEASONS OF BROOKLYN WILDLIFE AREA A GREAT DAY TRIP ALL YEAR ROUND
The Brooklyn Wildlife Area is vast, diverse in its' topography, ecosystems and vegetation, and right here in Southern Wisconsin's backyard. Hunters, hikers, birders and fisherman will find the park's 3,500 spread across DNR, state, private easements serene and rugged, secluded but accessible green space for any outdoor adventure.
Lake Koshkonong Effigy Mounds Historic Site Give Visitor Glimpse Of Early Wisconsin Life
Between AD 650 and 1200, groups of Native Americans throughout the southern half of Wisconsin and portions of adjacent states built earthen mounds of various shapes and sizes, including mounds shaped like animals, today called effigy mounds. The 11 mounds preserved here in the Jefferson County Indian Mounds and Trail Park were part of a larger group
Silverwood County Park is Dane County's
Outdoor Classroom
For Life long learners,
homeschoolers, and field trippers the 300 acres of Silverwood provide visitors a sampling of Wisconsin's varied landscapes, ecosystems and connectedness with the Badger State's
latest agricultural innovations.
Away From The Crowds Gibbs Lake County Park Offers Visitors a Quiet Place to Fish, Hike, Horse Back Riding, Or Day Camping
While many of Wisconsin's lakes are hemmed in by residential development, Gibbs Lake is not. There are houses set back from the shores of Gibbs, but the majority of the lake's edge and its' smaller twin, Little Gibbs Lake are quietly ringed by a diverse mix of pine and maple woods, open prairie and wetlands thanks to Gibbs Lake County Park.
Southern Wisconsin's Indianford County Park Offer A Unique Perspective Of Indianford Dam
At just the 1.2 acre, Indianford County Park is one of smallest green spaces in Rock County. Just across the bridge from the quirky, tiny village of Indianford, down County Rd F.
Cam Rock Park Is A Nature Wonderland
By Janice Redford
Special to the Lakes Edition
Cam Rock Park is 500 acres of green spanning the villages of Cambridge and Rockdale in the eastern edge of Dane County.
Not Just a Great Hiking Destination Silverwood County Park Is Dane County's Outdoor Classroom
For Life long learners, homeschoolers, and field trippers the 300 acres of Silverwood provide visitors a sampling of Wisconsin's varied landscapes, ecosystems and connectedness with the Badger State's latest agricultural innovations.
Hike Through History Visit Aztalan
Wisconsin's Oldest City
Located one mile east of Lake Mills on County Road Q the park offers a trip back in time to one of Wisconsin's earliest communities.
Rock River Heritage County Park Is Like
A Daytrip To The Northwoods
Located on a former private campground Rock River County Heritage Park brings tranquility and a restful oasis minutes from downtown Janesville. 178 acres of prime forest along the steep wooded banks of the Rock River.
