This year, make a resolution to explore Wisconsin’s outdoor beauty, one step at a time. There are thousands of miles of hiking trails to explore in Wisconsin and they take hikers to incredible cliffside vistas, through wild old-growth forests, and to the shore of clear glacial lakes. The trails are waiting: here are 12 scenic hikes in Wisconsin you should hike this year.

  1. Balanced Rock Trail

Mark Putvin/AllTrails Devil’s Lake State Park’s trails draw big numbers of hikers for a reason: they are spectacular. Hike the hilly balanced rock trail to see a rock formation that seems like it shouldn’t exist. It does – prepare to be amazed. Devils Lake, Wisconsin, USA

  1. Eagle Trail

Tessa Miller/AllTrails Door County’s Peninsula State Park has some gorgeous towering bluffs and wild lakeshores and Eagle Trail will help you take in the beauty. Be prepared to do a little scrambling, but the effort is worth it. Peninsula State Park, 9462 Shore Rd, Fish Creek, WI 54212, USA

  1. Myers Beach Sea Cave Trail

Marie Obradovich/AllTrails The Apostle Islands National Lakeshore on Lake Superior is a big kayaking destination, but you can explore sea caves without getting wet. Just hike the Meyers Beach Sea Cave Trail. Apostle Islands National Lakeshore, 415 Washington Ave, Bayfield, WI 54814, USA

  1. Lime Kiln Trail

Grill Scholl/AllTrails South of Appleton, in High Cliff State Park, a mining operation once thrived. The rock quarry has been abandoned for years, but this scenic trail will take you past the old lime kilns. high cliff state park

  1. Holy Hill Trail

Joyce Larson/AllTrails One of the most photographed spots in Wisconsin is the Holy Hill Basilica and National Shrine of Mary. The basilica is perched atop a massive hill and this trail will take you on a loop around the complex. Holy Hill - Basilica and National Shrine of Mary Help of Christians, 1525 Carmel Rd, Hubertus, WI 53033, USA

  1. Parfrey’s Glen Trail

Tarrah Pagel/AllTrails Not far from Devils’ Lake State Park is a natural area in Merrimack that has a lush gorge hiding a delicate waterfall. Bring your camera! Parfrey’s Glen State Natural Area, 1377 County Rd DL, Merrimac, WI 53561, USA

  1. Lost Creek Falls

Soncereri Nutz/AllTrails If you enjoy seeing waterfalls, you’ll love Lost Creek Falls in Cornucopia. It’s beautiful in any season and you can even walk behind the falls! Lost Creek Falls, Cornucopia, WI, USA

  1. Cave Point Lakeside Trail

Anna LaLuzerne/AllTrails One of the most popular places for Door County visitors is Cave Point County Park. The Lakeside trail will give you great views of the park’s scenic caves. Cave Point County Park, 5360 Schauer Rd, Sturgeon Bay, WI 54235, USA

  1. Lake Geneva Trail

Brian Bice/AllTrails For more than a century, Geneva Lake has been attracting vacationers who are seeking relaxation. A trail rings the whole lake and will take you past historic lakeside mansions. Lake Geneva, WI 53147, USA

  1. Manitou Falls Trail

Tanen Holzem/AllTrails Near Superior, this trail in Pattison State Park is a perfect waterfall day hike. The views of the falls and gorge will take your breath away. Big Manitou Falls, Superior, WI 54880, USA

  1. Lions Den Trail

Joseph Guarino//AllTrails You can find some gorgeous lake vistas without heading all the way to Door County. Just head to Grafton and hike this trail that skirts Lake Michigan. Lion’s Den Gorge Nature Preserve, 511 High Bluff Dr, Grafton, WI 53024, USA

  1. Blue Spring Lake Trail

Mara Simonson/AllTrails The 1,200-mile Ice Age Trail is one of the nation’s great hiking trails but if you just want to explore part of the trail, it can be a little difficult to know where to start. A good bet is the Blue Spring lake Trail near Palmyra. It will take you through a gorgeous swath of glacial terrain in one of the best hikes in Wisconsin. Blue Spring Lake Trail

Waterfalls, secret coves, and enchanting forests, that’s why we love these scenic hikes in Wisconsin. Whether you enjoy hiking in Wisconsin during the spring when the flowers start to bloom, or if you love the fall when the leaves burst with color, any season is just perfect to enjoy a beautiful Wisconsin hike. Once you’ve made it through these amazing Wisconsin hikes, here are some more trails to add to your bucket list.

Mark Putvin/AllTrails

Devil’s Lake State Park’s trails draw big numbers of hikers for a reason: they are spectacular. Hike the hilly balanced rock trail to see a rock formation that seems like it shouldn’t exist. It does – prepare to be amazed.

Devils Lake, Wisconsin, USA

Tessa Miller/AllTrails

Door County’s Peninsula State Park has some gorgeous towering bluffs and wild lakeshores and Eagle Trail will help you take in the beauty. Be prepared to do a little scrambling, but the effort is worth it.

Peninsula State Park, 9462 Shore Rd, Fish Creek, WI 54212, USA

Marie Obradovich/AllTrails

The Apostle Islands National Lakeshore on Lake Superior is a big kayaking destination, but you can explore sea caves without getting wet. Just hike the Meyers Beach Sea Cave Trail.

Apostle Islands National Lakeshore, 415 Washington Ave, Bayfield, WI 54814, USA

Grill Scholl/AllTrails

South of Appleton, in High Cliff State Park, a mining operation once thrived. The rock quarry has been abandoned for years, but this scenic trail will take you past the old lime kilns.

high cliff state park

Joyce Larson/AllTrails

One of the most photographed spots in Wisconsin is the Holy Hill Basilica and National Shrine of Mary. The basilica is perched atop a massive hill and this trail will take you on a loop around the complex.

Holy Hill - Basilica and National Shrine of Mary Help of Christians, 1525 Carmel Rd, Hubertus, WI 53033, USA

Tarrah Pagel/AllTrails

Not far from Devils’ Lake State Park is a natural area in Merrimack that has a lush gorge hiding a delicate waterfall. Bring your camera!

Parfrey’s Glen State Natural Area, 1377 County Rd DL, Merrimac, WI 53561, USA

Soncereri Nutz/AllTrails

If you enjoy seeing waterfalls, you’ll love Lost Creek Falls in Cornucopia. It’s beautiful in any season and you can even walk behind the falls!

Lost Creek Falls, Cornucopia, WI, USA

Anna LaLuzerne/AllTrails

One of the most popular places for Door County visitors is Cave Point County Park. The Lakeside trail will give you great views of the park’s scenic caves.

Cave Point County Park, 5360 Schauer Rd, Sturgeon Bay, WI 54235, USA

Brian Bice/AllTrails

For more than a century, Geneva Lake has been attracting vacationers who are seeking relaxation. A trail rings the whole lake and will take you past historic lakeside mansions.

Lake Geneva, WI 53147, USA

Tanen Holzem/AllTrails

Near Superior, this trail in Pattison State Park is a perfect waterfall day hike. The views of the falls and gorge will take your breath away.

Big Manitou Falls, Superior, WI 54880, USA

Joseph Guarino//AllTrails

You can find some gorgeous lake vistas without heading all the way to Door County. Just head to Grafton and hike this trail that skirts Lake Michigan.

Lion’s Den Gorge Nature Preserve, 511 High Bluff Dr, Grafton, WI 53024, USA

Mara Simonson/AllTrails

The 1,200-mile Ice Age Trail is one of the nation’s great hiking trails but if you just want to explore part of the trail, it can be a little difficult to know where to start. A good bet is the Blue Spring lake Trail near Palmyra. It will take you through a gorgeous swath of glacial terrain in one of the best hikes in Wisconsin.

Blue Spring Lake Trail

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The OIYS Visitor Center

Even more scenic hikes in Wisconsin December 18, 2022 Chris Muras What are the most scenic hikes in Wisconsin? The most scenic hikes in Wisconsin are located in the state’s many state and national parks. Willow River State Park and Devil’s Lake State Park are only a couple of areas where you can find scenic hiking trails for your next adventure. Here are a few of the most scenic hikes in Wisconsin to inspire you to enjoy the outdoors:

  1. Fern Dell Gorge, Reedsburg, WI
  2. Devil’s Lake State Park, Baraboo, WI
  3. Pattison State Park, Superior, WI
  4. Geneva Lake Shore Path, Lake Geneva, WI
  5. Lost Creek Falls Trail, Cornucopia, WI
  6. Willow Falls Hill Trail, Hudson, WI
  7. Dunes Cordwalk, Sheboygan, WI
  8. Pier Natural Bridge Park, Richland Center, WI Find out how you can jump on these outstanding hiking trails in Wisconsin. Then plan your next hiking adventure. How many state parks are there in Wisconsin? There are 66 state parks in Wisconsin managed by the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources. With a total area of 60,570 acres, there are numerous hiking trails and opportunities to enjoy the stunning natural beauty this state offers. Here is a list of a few of the lesser-known state parks in Wisconsin so you can discover something new:
  9. Tower Hill State Park, Spring Green, WI
  10. Rocky Arbor State Park, Wisconsin Dells, WI
  11. Lake Wissota State Park, Chippewa Falls, WI
  12. Hartman Creek State Park, Waupaca, WI
  13. Roche-A-Cri State Park, Friendship, WI
  14. Buckhorn State Park, Necedah, WI
  15. Merrick State Park, Fountain City, WI
  16. Kinnickinnic State Park, River Falls, WI Join us on an adventure as we discover even more hidden state parks in Wisconsin.

The OIYS Visitor Center

Even more scenic hikes in Wisconsin

December 18, 2022

Chris Muras

What are the most scenic hikes in Wisconsin? The most scenic hikes in Wisconsin are located in the state’s many state and national parks. Willow River State Park and Devil’s Lake State Park are only a couple of areas where you can find scenic hiking trails for your next adventure. Here are a few of the most scenic hikes in Wisconsin to inspire you to enjoy the outdoors:

  1. Fern Dell Gorge, Reedsburg, WI
  2. Devil’s Lake State Park, Baraboo, WI
  3. Pattison State Park, Superior, WI
  4. Geneva Lake Shore Path, Lake Geneva, WI
  5. Lost Creek Falls Trail, Cornucopia, WI
  6. Willow Falls Hill Trail, Hudson, WI
  7. Dunes Cordwalk, Sheboygan, WI
  8. Pier Natural Bridge Park, Richland Center, WI Find out how you can jump on these outstanding hiking trails in Wisconsin. Then plan your next hiking adventure. How many state parks are there in Wisconsin? There are 66 state parks in Wisconsin managed by the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources. With a total area of 60,570 acres, there are numerous hiking trails and opportunities to enjoy the stunning natural beauty this state offers. Here is a list of a few of the lesser-known state parks in Wisconsin so you can discover something new:
  9. Tower Hill State Park, Spring Green, WI
  10. Rocky Arbor State Park, Wisconsin Dells, WI
  11. Lake Wissota State Park, Chippewa Falls, WI
  12. Hartman Creek State Park, Waupaca, WI
  13. Roche-A-Cri State Park, Friendship, WI
  14. Buckhorn State Park, Necedah, WI
  15. Merrick State Park, Fountain City, WI
  16. Kinnickinnic State Park, River Falls, WI Join us on an adventure as we discover even more hidden state parks in Wisconsin.

The OIYS Visitor Center

The OIYS Visitor Center

The most scenic hikes in Wisconsin are located in the state’s many state and national parks. Willow River State Park and Devil’s Lake State Park are only a couple of areas where you can find scenic hiking trails for your next adventure. Here are a few of the most scenic hikes in Wisconsin to inspire you to enjoy the outdoors:

  1. Fern Dell Gorge, Reedsburg, WI
  2. Devil’s Lake State Park, Baraboo, WI
  3. Pattison State Park, Superior, WI
  4. Geneva Lake Shore Path, Lake Geneva, WI
  5. Lost Creek Falls Trail, Cornucopia, WI
  6. Willow Falls Hill Trail, Hudson, WI
  7. Dunes Cordwalk, Sheboygan, WI
  8. Pier Natural Bridge Park, Richland Center, WI

Find out how you can jump on these outstanding hiking trails in Wisconsin. Then plan your next hiking adventure.

How many state parks are there in Wisconsin?

There are 66 state parks in Wisconsin managed by the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources. With a total area of 60,570 acres, there are numerous hiking trails and opportunities to enjoy the stunning natural beauty this state offers. Here is a list of a few of the lesser-known state parks in Wisconsin so you can discover something new:

  1. Tower Hill State Park, Spring Green, WI
  2. Rocky Arbor State Park, Wisconsin Dells, WI
  3. Lake Wissota State Park, Chippewa Falls, WI
  4. Hartman Creek State Park, Waupaca, WI
  5. Roche-A-Cri State Park, Friendship, WI
  6. Buckhorn State Park, Necedah, WI
  7. Merrick State Park, Fountain City, WI
  8. Kinnickinnic State Park, River Falls, WI

Join us on an adventure as we discover even more hidden state parks in Wisconsin.