In our opinion, these are some of the best hikes in Wisconsin. The truth is, we have a hard time imagining that you’d only ever hike five of the Badger State’s gorgeous trails. The unparalleled beauty of Wisconsin deserves to be explored on foot, so lace up your hiking boots and start with these five trails. We have a feeling that once you hike these, you’ll be hooked. Plus, they’re some of the most amazing hikes in Wisconsin.

  1. Doughboy’s Trail, Mellen

Tiffany Hock/AllTrails The 1.7-mile-long Doughboy’s Trail at Copper Falls State Park is easy enough for people of all skill levels. Enjoy two waterfalls, scenic overlooks, and the fresh smell of pine. This easy Wisconsin waterfall hike is a great way to stretch your legs. Copper Falls State Park, 36764 Copper Falls Rd, Mellen, WI 54546, USA

  1. Devil’s Lake State Park Trail, Baraboo

Joshua Mayer/flickr How often do you get a chance to hike through areas created by 12,000-year-old glaciers? The trails at Devil’s Lake State Park are located just off the Ice Age Trail, which is 1,000 miles long. Be sure to take some time to explore all the great Wisconsin hikes in this park. Devil’s Lake State Park, S5975 Park Rd, Baraboo, WI 53913, USA

  1. Witches Gulch, Wisconsin Dells

Parth Bhatt/Google The 2-mile loop trail at Witches Gulch takes you through a gorgeous slot canyon where you’ll squeeze through some tight spots and see some other-worldly scenery. Your trip starts with a boat ride, which is the only way to access this place. Read our article to learn more about this canyon hike in Wisconsin. Witches Gulch, Dell Prairie, WI 53965, USA

  1. Badger State Trail, Monroe

Philip Forst/AllTrails The Badger State Trail is a 40-mile-long, rails-to-trails adventure that stretches from the Illinois-Wisconsin border all the way to Madison. The 1,200-foot tunnel is one of the most popular features. Badger State Trail, Monroe, WI, USA

  1. Trails at Rib Mountain, Rib Mountain

V’ron/Flickr Pick your favorite trail at Rib Mountain and you certainly won’t be disappointed. The views from the overlook are spectacular, and legend says that Paul Bunyan is buried on this mountain. Did you know that Wisconsin’s Rib Mountain is more than a billion years old? Rib Mountain, WI 54401, USA

There are so many scenic hiking trails in Wisconsin that it would be impossible to list them all in a single article such as this. If you’re wondering, “What are the best hikes near me?” check out our Wisconsin hikes hub for some ideas.

Tiffany Hock/AllTrails

The 1.7-mile-long Doughboy’s Trail at Copper Falls State Park is easy enough for people of all skill levels. Enjoy two waterfalls, scenic overlooks, and the fresh smell of pine. This easy Wisconsin waterfall hike is a great way to stretch your legs.

Copper Falls State Park, 36764 Copper Falls Rd, Mellen, WI 54546, USA

Joshua Mayer/flickr

How often do you get a chance to hike through areas created by 12,000-year-old glaciers? The trails at Devil’s Lake State Park are located just off the Ice Age Trail, which is 1,000 miles long. Be sure to take some time to explore all the great Wisconsin hikes in this park.

Devil’s Lake State Park, S5975 Park Rd, Baraboo, WI 53913, USA

Parth Bhatt/Google

The 2-mile loop trail at Witches Gulch takes you through a gorgeous slot canyon where you’ll squeeze through some tight spots and see some other-worldly scenery. Your trip starts with a boat ride, which is the only way to access this place. Read our article to learn more about this canyon hike in Wisconsin.

Witches Gulch, Dell Prairie, WI 53965, USA

Philip Forst/AllTrails

The Badger State Trail is a 40-mile-long, rails-to-trails adventure that stretches from the Illinois-Wisconsin border all the way to Madison. The 1,200-foot tunnel is one of the most popular features.

Badger State Trail, Monroe, WI, USA

V’ron/Flickr

Pick your favorite trail at Rib Mountain and you certainly won’t be disappointed. The views from the overlook are spectacular, and legend says that Paul Bunyan is buried on this mountain. Did you know that Wisconsin’s Rib Mountain is more than a billion years old?

Rib Mountain, WI 54401, USA

Do you agree these are some of the best hikes in Wisconsin? If you could name your five favorite Wisconsin hikes, which trails would make your list? Share your list with our readers in the comments below.

OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article.

The OIYS Visitor Center

best hikes in wisconsin March 11, 2022 Jennifer Young What Are Three Of The Best Kid-Friendly Hikes In Wisconsin? The Badger State has many trails that pretty much anyone can accomplish, including many kid-friendly hikes in Wisconsin, which makes them perfect for including on family day trips. Listed below are three of our favorite kid-friendly trails.

  1. Devil’s Lake via West Bluff Trail Located within Devil’s Lake State Park is Wisconsin’s Devil’s Lake via West Bluff Trail, a 4.8-mile loop trail with a moderate level of difficulty. It’s a popular trail for hiking, and the best time of year to explore it is from July through November.
  2. Lion’s Den Trail Wisconsin’s Lion’s Den Trail is a 2.1-mile loop trail that’s located within Lion’s Den Gorge Nature Preserve. It’s a popular trail for hiking, running, and walking. The best time of year to explore this scenic trail is from April through October.
  3. Eagle Trail Wisconsin’s Eagle Trail, a 2-mile loop trail that offers wonderful hiking, running, and walking opportunities, is located within Peninsula State Park. April through October is the best time of year to explore this trail. What Are Three Easy Hikes In Wisconsin That You Can Take At Any Time Of The Year? There are plenty of easy hikes in Wisconsin that are much easier to do than others. Listed below are three of Wisconsin’s easiest trails that can be taken no matter the time of year. They’re also some of the most scenic hikes in Wisconsin.
  4. Ice Age Trail: Monches Wisconsin’s Ice Age Trail: Monches is a 3.7-mile, point-to-point trail near Hartland. This trail is popular for backpacking, camping, and hiking. It’s also accessible year-round.
  5. Mallard Lake Trail Located within Whitnall Park is Wisconsin’s Mallard Lake Trail, a 1.4-mile loop trail that’s a popular destination for hiking, walking, and nature trips. It can be explored any time of the year.
  6. Big Manitou Falls and Manitou Falls Trail Wisconsin’s Big Manitou Falls and Manitou Falls Trail is a 4-mile loop trail that’s located inside Pattison State Park, which may be the prettiest state park in Wisconsin. Most people use this trail, which is accessible all year long, for camping, hiking, and trail running.

The OIYS Visitor Center

best hikes in wisconsin

March 11, 2022

Jennifer Young

What Are Three Of The Best Kid-Friendly Hikes In Wisconsin? The Badger State has many trails that pretty much anyone can accomplish, including many kid-friendly hikes in Wisconsin, which makes them perfect for including on family day trips. Listed below are three of our favorite kid-friendly trails.

  1. Devil’s Lake via West Bluff Trail Located within Devil’s Lake State Park is Wisconsin’s Devil’s Lake via West Bluff Trail, a 4.8-mile loop trail with a moderate level of difficulty. It’s a popular trail for hiking, and the best time of year to explore it is from July through November.
  2. Lion’s Den Trail Wisconsin’s Lion’s Den Trail is a 2.1-mile loop trail that’s located within Lion’s Den Gorge Nature Preserve. It’s a popular trail for hiking, running, and walking. The best time of year to explore this scenic trail is from April through October.
  3. Eagle Trail Wisconsin’s Eagle Trail, a 2-mile loop trail that offers wonderful hiking, running, and walking opportunities, is located within Peninsula State Park. April through October is the best time of year to explore this trail. What Are Three Easy Hikes In Wisconsin That You Can Take At Any Time Of The Year? There are plenty of easy hikes in Wisconsin that are much easier to do than others. Listed below are three of Wisconsin’s easiest trails that can be taken no matter the time of year. They’re also some of the most scenic hikes in Wisconsin.
  4. Ice Age Trail: Monches Wisconsin’s Ice Age Trail: Monches is a 3.7-mile, point-to-point trail near Hartland. This trail is popular for backpacking, camping, and hiking. It’s also accessible year-round.
  5. Mallard Lake Trail Located within Whitnall Park is Wisconsin’s Mallard Lake Trail, a 1.4-mile loop trail that’s a popular destination for hiking, walking, and nature trips. It can be explored any time of the year.
  6. Big Manitou Falls and Manitou Falls Trail Wisconsin’s Big Manitou Falls and Manitou Falls Trail is a 4-mile loop trail that’s located inside Pattison State Park, which may be the prettiest state park in Wisconsin. Most people use this trail, which is accessible all year long, for camping, hiking, and trail running.

The OIYS Visitor Center

The OIYS Visitor Center

The Badger State has many trails that pretty much anyone can accomplish, including many kid-friendly hikes in Wisconsin, which makes them perfect for including on family day trips. Listed below are three of our favorite kid-friendly trails.

  1. Devil’s Lake via West Bluff Trail

Located within Devil’s Lake State Park is Wisconsin’s Devil’s Lake via West Bluff Trail, a 4.8-mile loop trail with a moderate level of difficulty. It’s a popular trail for hiking, and the best time of year to explore it is from July through November.

  1. Lion’s Den Trail

Wisconsin’s Lion’s Den Trail is a 2.1-mile loop trail that’s located within Lion’s Den Gorge Nature Preserve. It’s a popular trail for hiking, running, and walking. The best time of year to explore this scenic trail is from April through October.

  1. Eagle Trail

Wisconsin’s Eagle Trail, a 2-mile loop trail that offers wonderful hiking, running, and walking opportunities, is located within Peninsula State Park. April through October is the best time of year to explore this trail.

What Are Three Easy Hikes In Wisconsin That You Can Take At Any Time Of The Year?

There are plenty of easy hikes in Wisconsin that are much easier to do than others. Listed below are three of Wisconsin’s easiest trails that can be taken no matter the time of year. They’re also some of the most scenic hikes in Wisconsin.

  1. Ice Age Trail: Monches

Wisconsin’s Ice Age Trail: Monches is a 3.7-mile, point-to-point trail near Hartland. This trail is popular for backpacking, camping, and hiking. It’s also accessible year-round.

  1. Mallard Lake Trail Located within Whitnall Park is Wisconsin’s Mallard Lake Trail, a 1.4-mile loop trail that’s a popular destination for hiking, walking, and nature trips. It can be explored any time of the year.

  2. Big Manitou Falls and Manitou Falls Trail

Wisconsin’s Big Manitou Falls and Manitou Falls Trail is a 4-mile loop trail that’s located inside Pattison State Park, which may be the prettiest state park in Wisconsin. Most people use this trail, which is accessible all year long, for camping, hiking, and trail running.