Posted in Wisconsin Hiking, Nature July 18, 2022 by

14 Totally Kid-Friendly Hikes In Wisconsin That Are 1 Mile And Under

Whether you’re a first-time hiker or someone who’s got folks with little legs looking to ease into the sport, here are 14 of the best hikes in Wisconsin that are 1 mile and under. Short and sweet, these trails provide a great introduction to the natural beauty of Wisconsin. So pack up the family, grab your hiking boots, and let’s get the adventure rolling!

1. Kohler-Andrae State Park - Black River Marsh Boardwalk
Kohler-Andrae State Park, 1020 Beach Park Ln, Sheboygan, WI 53081, USA
charlie vinz/Flickr
At beautiful Kohler-Andrae State Park, you can enjoy some of the only sand dunes in Wisconsin. Short trails include Black River Marsh Boardwalk (.25 miles). You can also hike the Creeping Juniper Nature Trail, a half-mile trail going around the nature center. Both offer their own scenic beauty and are among the most popular kid-friendly hikes around Wisconsin. Located at 1020 Beach Park Ln, Sheboygan, WI 53081.
2. Mirror Lake State Park - Ringling Pass
Mirror Lake, Wisconsin, USA
Pascal Collet/Flickr
Mirror Lake State Park encompasses a couple of short trails. The Ringling Pass is just .3 miles. The Nature Trail is .7 miles. And the Kilbourn Trail is .8 miles. All are rather easy to hike so no worries about those little legs (or the big ones, for that matter) getting tired too fast! Located at E10320 Fern Dell Rd, Baraboo, WI 53913.
3. New Glarus Woods - Bison Nature Trail
Flickr/BenMiller
This park has several trails that are less than a mile, making it a good beginner stop. It's also an easy side trip when you're spending a weekend in quaint New Glarus. This path is all about the prairie. The 0.8-mile trail offers interpretive signs with information about prairie life, history, and management. The Bison Nature trail meanders through the northern park prairie and includes some unusual features such as a swinging bench and a life-size Bison replica. Located at W5508 CTH NN, New Glarus, WI 53574.
4. Horicon Marsh - Indermuehle Island Loop
Horicon Marsh, Wisconsin, USA
Flickr/Chumlee
The trails at the Horicon Marsh take you through the largest freshwater cattail marsh in the United States. It is home to 300 species of birds. The Indermuehle Island Loop is only .8 miles. which is very kid-friendly and to be honest, one of the best hikes in Wisconsin - hands down. Located at N7725 WI-28, Horicon, WI 53032.
5. University of Wisconsin Arboretum
University of Wisconsin–Madison Arboretum, 1207 Seminole Hwy, Madison, WI 53711, USA
Flickr/HelloMarkers!
You might not think you'd find some of the best hikes in Wisconsin on a college campus, but that is exactly what you'll encounter at the University of Wisconsin Arboretum. There are paths crisscrossing the Arboretum, so you can walk as much or as little as you'd like! Located at 1207 Seminole Hwy, Madison, WI 53711.
6. Rock Island State Park - Havamal Trail
Rock Island State Park Road, Rock Island State Park Rd, Washington, WI, USA
Flickr/J Stephen Conn
This 1-mile trail at Rock Island State Park will take you clear across the island, from Green Bay to Lake Michigan. Along the way, you'll see the beautiful coastlines as well as all the lush vegetation in the middle. It is definitely one of the most scenic hikes in Wisconsin and well worth the journey. Located at 1924 Indian Point Rd, Washington, WI 54246.
7. Wyalusing State Park - Old Wagon Road Trail
State Park Lane, State Park Ln, Wyalusing, WI 53801, USA
Flickr/WIDNR
The Old Wagon Road Trail at Wyalusing State Park was originally built to carry wagons from the bluff tops to Walnut Eddy. This heavily-wooded trail starts across the road from the basketball/tennis courts and ends at the Knob Picnic Shelter overlooking the Wisconsin River. It's 0.8 miles long and a perfect introduction to hiking. Located on State Park Ln, Bagley, WI 53801.
8. Hartman Creek State Park - Dike Trail
Hartman Creek State Park, E470 Golke Rd, Waupaca, WI 54981, USA
Flickr/JoshuaMayer
This 1-mile trail at Hartman Creek State Park crosses a narrow strip of land between Mid and Hartman lakes. As one of the most popular kid-friendly hikes around Wisconsin, it's a really cool and unique way to get out among the vegetation. Located at N2480 Hartman Creek Rd, Waupaca, WI 54981.
9. Interstate State Park - Pothole Trail
Interstate State Park, 1275 WI-35, St Croix Falls, WI 54024, USA
Flickr/JPellgen
Maybe the most unique and stunning 0.4 miles you'll ever walk, this is the western terminus of the 1,200-mile National Scenic Ice Age Trail and the most geologically unique trail at Interstate State Park. It includes scenic views of the Dalles of the St. Croix River gorge. Walk atop Old Man of the Dalles rock formation past world-famous potholes formed by glacial meltwaters. Located at I-35, St Croix Falls, WI 54024.
10. Cedarburg Bog State Natural Area - Boardwalk Trail
Cedarburg Bog State Natural Area, WI-33, Saukville, WI 53080, USA
Flickr/JoshuaMayer
Cedarburg Bog is the most intact large bog in southeastern Wisconsin and it is composed of a mosaic of vegetation types. Once part of a large glacial lake, the bog is a relict community - a southern example of the type more commonly found in northern Wisconsin. There are six lakes remaining within the bog, all with varying sizes and depths. There's a short boardwalk trail system that lets you get out and explore. If you're searching for "hiking trails near me," this one will certainly rise to the top of the list! Located at approximately 2700 WI-33, Saukville, WI 53080.
11. Governor Dodge State Park - Stephens Falls Trail
Governor Dodge State Park, 4175 WI-23, Dodgeville, WI 53533, USA
Flickr/JoshHaroldson
There are several shorter trails here at popular Governor Dodge State Park, but the 0.5-mile paved trail that takes you to Stephens Falls is the star. It's easy and among the most scenic hikes in Wisconsin, ending at a beautiful spot while going through the forest and highlighting all kinds of rock outcroppings. Located at 4175 State Highway 23, Dodgeville, WI 53533.
12. MacKenzie Center - Nature Trail
MacKenzie Center, W7303 County Rd Cs And, Q, Poynette, WI 53955, USA
Flickr/RobertStinnett
The MacKenzie Center, located in the town of Poynette, is one of the most diverse education centers in Wisconsin featuring great interpretive trails, exhibits, and museums. The State Game Farm is connected to the Center and is adjacent to the arboretum on the western half of the property. It's the perfect spot for a family day outside and the trail is one of the most popular kid-friendly hikes in Wisconsin. The entrance to the MacKenzie Center is located at the intersection of County Road CS & Park Road in Poynette.
13. Wildcat Mountain State Park - Ice Cave Trail
Wildcat Mountain State Park, E13660 WI-33, Ontario, WI 54651, USA
Flickr/Al
If you're looking for easy hikes in Wisconsin, the Ice Cave Trail is a great option. It begins and ends at a picnic area, making it a perfect place for a family meal. It also, true to its name, actually leads to an ice cave. Though it looks like a cave on approach, it's more a rock depression with a small spring running over the upper edge. In the winter, the natural spring waters freeze into a giant icicle! Located at E13660 State Highway 33, Ontario, WI 54651.
14. Harrington Beach State Park - Quarry Lake Trail
Harrington Beach State Park, 531 Co Rd D, Belgium, WI 53004, USA
Flickr/WIDnr
At Harrington Beach State Park there are four short trails here worth taking. But if you do just one, it should be the Quarry Lake trail. This 0.75-mile hiking trail circles Quarry Lake and the deep, serene waters of this 26-acre lake are surrounded by limestone ledges lined with white cedar trees. Located at 531 County Road D, Belgium, WI 53004.

Have you hiked along any of these trails? What other short hikes do you love? Let us know in the comments!

Think you can handle a slightly longer hike? Then check out these amazing trails extending 3 miles or less!

Address: Kohler-Andrae State Park, 1020 Beach Park Ln, Sheboygan, WI 53081, USA
Address: Horicon Marsh, Wisconsin, USA
Address: University of Wisconsin–Madison Arboretum, 1207 Seminole Hwy, Madison, WI 53711, USA
Address: Rock Island State Park Road, Rock Island State Park Rd, Washington, WI, USA
Address: Hartman Creek State Park, E470 Golke Rd, Waupaca, WI 54981, USA
Address: Interstate State Park, 1275 WI-35, St Croix Falls, WI 54024, USA
Address: Cedarburg Bog State Natural Area, WI-33, Saukville, WI 53080, USA
Address: Governor Dodge State Park, 4175 WI-23, Dodgeville, WI 53533, USA
Address: MacKenzie Center, W7303 County Rd Cs And, Q, Poynette, WI 53955, USA
Address: Wildcat Mountain State Park, E13660 WI-33, Ontario, WI 54651, USA
Address: Harrington Beach State Park, 531 Co Rd D, Belgium, WI 53004, USA
Address: State Park Lane, State Park Ln, Wyalusing, WI 53801, USA
Address: Mirror Lake, Wisconsin, USA
The OIYS Visitor Center

Best hikes in Wisconsin

July 23, 2022
Lysa Allman-Baldwin

Are there any waterfalls in Osceola?

As a matter of fact, there is a wonderful waterfall in Osceola! And perhaps the best part is, you don’t have to hike to get there. Located right in the middle of downtown, Cascade Falls are a favorite spot for locales and visitors alike. The falls are about 25 feet high and you can even walk behind them to take in a different perspective of their beauty.

Where can I find a Wisconsin fish fry?

In Wisconsin, fish frys are iconic events that take place all over the state. Locals and visitors alike love this typically outdoor (at least during the cooking part) gathering where a wide variety of fish — Bluegill, Lake Perch, Grouper, Barramundi, Catfish, and Walleye Pike, just to name a few — are cooked on a roaring fire, then carefully deboned by fish fry “artisans” at your table. Add boiled potatoes, corn, bread, and a host of other sides and you’ve got one of the most delicious and fun dinners you can imagine! The fish frys are also great ways to meet people, as sometimes the meals are served community style.

I’m looking for a fun day trip in Wisconsin.

There are lots of fun day trip options in Wisconsin and one of them is a wonderful small town called Spring Green. Only about an hour’s drive west of downtown Madison, Spring Green is home to a wealth of cultural attractions. If you enjoy theater productions, be sure to visit the 1,148-seat outdoor American Players Theatre. In the little downtown area, you can meander in and out of numerous galleries, and patronize a wide array of delicious eateries. And if you’re a Frank Lloyd Wright fan, his former home called Frank Lloyd Wright’s Taliesin, and another of his creations, House on the Rock, are both located here.

Address: Kohler-Andrae State Park, 1020 Beach Park Ln, Sheboygan, WI 53081, USA
Address: Horicon Marsh, Wisconsin, USA
Address: University of Wisconsin–Madison Arboretum, 1207 Seminole Hwy, Madison, WI 53711, USA
Address: Rock Island State Park Road, Rock Island State Park Rd, Washington, WI, USA
Address: Hartman Creek State Park, E470 Golke Rd, Waupaca, WI 54981, USA
Address: Interstate State Park, 1275 WI-35, St Croix Falls, WI 54024, USA
Address: Cedarburg Bog State Natural Area, WI-33, Saukville, WI 53080, USA
Address: Governor Dodge State Park, 4175 WI-23, Dodgeville, WI 53533, USA
Address: MacKenzie Center, W7303 County Rd Cs And, Q, Poynette, WI 53955, USA
Address: Wildcat Mountain State Park, E13660 WI-33, Ontario, WI 54651, USA
Address: Harrington Beach State Park, 531 Co Rd D, Belgium, WI 53004, USA
Address: State Park Lane, State Park Ln, Wyalusing, WI 53801, USA
Address: Mirror Lake, Wisconsin, USA