By OMC Staff Writers
Note: The contents of this guide were checked for accuracy when this article was posted on April 20, 2006. We continually update the thousands of articles on OnMilwaukee.com, but it's possible some details, specials and offers may have changed. As always, we recommend you call first if you have specific questions for the businesses mentioned in the guide.
Want to escape the city? Get wrapped up in Wisconsin's outdoors at nearby state parks. You can experience pristine nature, complete with waterfalls, camping and lots of wildlife.
There are plenty of parks only a few hours away, or less, from Milwaukee. Just hop in the car and head in any direction, except east, of course. Here are just a handful of them:
1. Aztalan State Park
Located at a 12th century Indian village near Lake Mills, this park is a historic archaeological site. It offers picnic areas, hiking trails and fishing. 1213 S. Main, Lake Mills 53551, (920) 648-8774
2. Big Foot Beach State Park
On the shores of Lake Geneva, the park offers wooded campsites, a sand beach and picnic areas. Open mid-May through October. 1452 Hwy. H, Lake Geneva 53147, (262) 248-2528
3. Bong State Recreation Area
More than 4,500 acres of fun await visitors at this multi-use recreation area in Kenosha County. 26313 Burlington Rd., Kansasville 53139, (262) 652-0377 or (414) 878-5600
4. Capital Springs State Park
This park was established during the Wisconsin State Parks' 2000 centennial year. You can hike, bike, fish, watch wildlife, picnic and camp. 3101 Lake Farm Rd., Madison 53711, (60
224-3606.
5. Fischer Creek State Recreation Area
Fischer Creek stretches for nearly a mile of the Lake Michigan shoreline. Explore the wooded bluffs, grasslands and wetlands. There is no camping, though. 4319 Expo Dr., Manitowoc 54220, (920) 683-4185.
6. Governor Nelson State Park
Situated on Lake Mendota, recreation and nature mingle within sight of the State Capitol. Effigy mounds in the woodlands, prairie and savannah restorations. 5140 Cty. Hwy. M, Waunakee 53597, (60 831-3005
7. Harrington Beach State Park
Peacefulness and serenity draw people to this mile-long stretch of Lake Michigan shoreline. You can go hiking, fishing, eat at the picnic areas, cross-country ski in the winter, but there is no camping. 531 Hwy. D, Belgium 53004, (262) 285-3015
8. Havenwoods State Forest
Enjoy a 237-acre island of nature within Milwaukee's urban environment. You do not need a state park sticker to get in. Hike, visit the arboretum, bike, go cross country skiing or watch the birds. 6141 N. Hopkins, Milwaukee 53209, (414) 527-0232 or (414) 527-0761
9. Heritage Hill State Park
Experience "living history" at this 40-acre outdoor museum in Green Bay. The park features 25 structures from Wisconsin's past. You pay per person, not per car here. 2640 S. Webster Ave., Green Bay 54301, (920) 448-5150
10. High Cliff State Park
This park, overlooking the largest inland lake in Wisconsin, is situated on limestone cliffs, once sacred to Native Americans. History and geology buffs will enjoy the park's effigy mounds, lime kiln and quarry. N7630 State Park Rd., Sherwood 54169, (920) 989-1106
11. Kettle Moraine State Forest-Northern Unit
A 29,000-acre forest offers a glacial panorama with rolling, wooded hills dotted with serene lakes. There is a wide range of recreational activities for you to enjoy on the 133 miles of trails. The Ice Age Visitor Center is open daily. N1765 Hwy. G, Campbellsport 53010, Monday-Friday (920) 626-2116, Weekends (920) 533-8322
12. Kettle Moraine State Forest-Southern Unit
Roughly 21,000 acres of glacial hills and lakes close to Milwaukee make this a very popular recreation area. Group camping is available as well as a cabin for people with disabilities. S91 W39091 Hwy. 59, Eagle 53119, (262) 594-6200/6201
13. Kohler-Andrae State Park
This 1,000-acre scenic park on the shore of Lake Michigan offers a peaceful getaway. Wooded campsites and two miles of sandy beach. 1520 Old Park Rd., Sheboygan 53018, (920) 451-4080
14. Lake Kegonsa State Park
Grab your poles because Kegonsa means "lake of many fishes," and it is one of southern Wisconsin's most productive fishing holes. The woodlands, prairies and wetlands attract campers, hikers and skiers. 2405 Door Creek Rd., Stoughton 53589, (60 873-9695
15. Lapham Peak-Kettle Moraine State Forest
Climb a 45-foot observation tower atop the highest point in Waukesha County. The park's glaciated topography provides excellent hiking, backpacking, cross-country skiing on lighted trails and ice skating. Enclosed shelters mean you can come all year long. W329 N846 Cty. C, Delafield 53018, (262) 687-0127
16. Lowe Lake Unit, Kettle Moraine State Forest
This picturesque valley includes the winding east branch of the Oconomowoc River and the 23-acre Loew Lake. It is open to low-impact recreation like hiking, hunting and horseback riding, but there is no camping. 3544 Kettle Moraine Rd., Hartford 53027, (262) 670-3400
17. New Glarus Woods State Park
Located near the Sugar River Trail, you'll find camping as it was intended, with drive-in or hike-in campsites of quiet solitude. Nature trails lead to wildlife and the beauty of undisturbed woods. Box 805, W5446 Cty. Trunk Hwy. NN, New Glarus 53574, (60 527-2335
18. Pike Lake Unit-Kettle Moraine State Forest
Powder Hill, a 1,350-foot glacial kame, offers panoramic views of the park's unique glacial topography. It is part of the Ice Age Trail. 3544 Kettle Moraine Rd., Hartford 53027, (262) 670-3400
19. Point Beach State Forest
Located on a point jutting into Lake Michigan, the forest's six-mile beach is a great place to catch a wave or walk in the sand. Indoor and outdoor group campsites. 9400 Cty. Hwy. O, Two Rivers 54241, (920) 794-7480
Note: The contents of this guide were checked for accuracy when this article was posted on April 20, 2006. We continually update the thousands of articles on OnMilwaukee.com, but it's possible some details, specials and offers may have changed. As always, we recommend you call first if you have specific questions for the businesses mentioned in the guide.
Want to escape the city? Get wrapped up in Wisconsin's outdoors at nearby state parks. You can experience pristine nature, complete with waterfalls, camping and lots of wildlife.
There are plenty of parks only a few hours away, or less, from Milwaukee. Just hop in the car and head in any direction, except east, of course. Here are just a handful of them:
1. Aztalan State Park
Located at a 12th century Indian village near Lake Mills, this park is a historic archaeological site. It offers picnic areas, hiking trails and fishing. 1213 S. Main, Lake Mills 53551, (920) 648-8774
2. Big Foot Beach State Park
On the shores of Lake Geneva, the park offers wooded campsites, a sand beach and picnic areas. Open mid-May through October. 1452 Hwy. H, Lake Geneva 53147, (262) 248-2528
3. Bong State Recreation Area
More than 4,500 acres of fun await visitors at this multi-use recreation area in Kenosha County. 26313 Burlington Rd., Kansasville 53139, (262) 652-0377 or (414) 878-5600
4. Capital Springs State Park
This park was established during the Wisconsin State Parks' 2000 centennial year. You can hike, bike, fish, watch wildlife, picnic and camp. 3101 Lake Farm Rd., Madison 53711, (60
224-3606. 5. Fischer Creek State Recreation Area
Fischer Creek stretches for nearly a mile of the Lake Michigan shoreline. Explore the wooded bluffs, grasslands and wetlands. There is no camping, though. 4319 Expo Dr., Manitowoc 54220, (920) 683-4185.
6. Governor Nelson State Park
Situated on Lake Mendota, recreation and nature mingle within sight of the State Capitol. Effigy mounds in the woodlands, prairie and savannah restorations. 5140 Cty. Hwy. M, Waunakee 53597, (60
831-30057. Harrington Beach State Park
Peacefulness and serenity draw people to this mile-long stretch of Lake Michigan shoreline. You can go hiking, fishing, eat at the picnic areas, cross-country ski in the winter, but there is no camping. 531 Hwy. D, Belgium 53004, (262) 285-3015
8. Havenwoods State Forest
Enjoy a 237-acre island of nature within Milwaukee's urban environment. You do not need a state park sticker to get in. Hike, visit the arboretum, bike, go cross country skiing or watch the birds. 6141 N. Hopkins, Milwaukee 53209, (414) 527-0232 or (414) 527-0761
9. Heritage Hill State Park
Experience "living history" at this 40-acre outdoor museum in Green Bay. The park features 25 structures from Wisconsin's past. You pay per person, not per car here. 2640 S. Webster Ave., Green Bay 54301, (920) 448-5150
10. High Cliff State Park
This park, overlooking the largest inland lake in Wisconsin, is situated on limestone cliffs, once sacred to Native Americans. History and geology buffs will enjoy the park's effigy mounds, lime kiln and quarry. N7630 State Park Rd., Sherwood 54169, (920) 989-1106
11. Kettle Moraine State Forest-Northern Unit
A 29,000-acre forest offers a glacial panorama with rolling, wooded hills dotted with serene lakes. There is a wide range of recreational activities for you to enjoy on the 133 miles of trails. The Ice Age Visitor Center is open daily. N1765 Hwy. G, Campbellsport 53010, Monday-Friday (920) 626-2116, Weekends (920) 533-8322
12. Kettle Moraine State Forest-Southern Unit
Roughly 21,000 acres of glacial hills and lakes close to Milwaukee make this a very popular recreation area. Group camping is available as well as a cabin for people with disabilities. S91 W39091 Hwy. 59, Eagle 53119, (262) 594-6200/6201
13. Kohler-Andrae State Park
This 1,000-acre scenic park on the shore of Lake Michigan offers a peaceful getaway. Wooded campsites and two miles of sandy beach. 1520 Old Park Rd., Sheboygan 53018, (920) 451-4080
14. Lake Kegonsa State Park
Grab your poles because Kegonsa means "lake of many fishes," and it is one of southern Wisconsin's most productive fishing holes. The woodlands, prairies and wetlands attract campers, hikers and skiers. 2405 Door Creek Rd., Stoughton 53589, (60
873-969515. Lapham Peak-Kettle Moraine State Forest
Climb a 45-foot observation tower atop the highest point in Waukesha County. The park's glaciated topography provides excellent hiking, backpacking, cross-country skiing on lighted trails and ice skating. Enclosed shelters mean you can come all year long. W329 N846 Cty. C, Delafield 53018, (262) 687-0127
16. Lowe Lake Unit, Kettle Moraine State Forest
This picturesque valley includes the winding east branch of the Oconomowoc River and the 23-acre Loew Lake. It is open to low-impact recreation like hiking, hunting and horseback riding, but there is no camping. 3544 Kettle Moraine Rd., Hartford 53027, (262) 670-3400
17. New Glarus Woods State Park
Located near the Sugar River Trail, you'll find camping as it was intended, with drive-in or hike-in campsites of quiet solitude. Nature trails lead to wildlife and the beauty of undisturbed woods. Box 805, W5446 Cty. Trunk Hwy. NN, New Glarus 53574, (60
527-233518. Pike Lake Unit-Kettle Moraine State Forest
Powder Hill, a 1,350-foot glacial kame, offers panoramic views of the park's unique glacial topography. It is part of the Ice Age Trail. 3544 Kettle Moraine Rd., Hartford 53027, (262) 670-3400
19. Point Beach State Forest
Located on a point jutting into Lake Michigan, the forest's six-mile beach is a great place to catch a wave or walk in the sand. Indoor and outdoor group campsites. 9400 Cty. Hwy. O, Two Rivers 54241, (920) 794-7480