Summer is winding down and kids are heading back to school, but these nearby hiking spots make it easy to get outside before winter starts. Hiking doesn’t have to be limiting — there are tons of trails and parks all over the state that offer access and beautiful views no matter your ability. Here are 13 spots you can take hikers of all ages to get out in nature:

  1. Kettle Moraine State Park — Lapham Peak Unit, Delafield

Flickr/bquad There’s trails for all abilities here, including a relaxing and beautiful meadow loop. If your group is able, the short hike to the observation tower and the climb reward you with gorgeous, sweeping views. Located at W329 N846 County Road C, Delafield, WI 53018.

  1. Holy Wisdom Monastery — Middleton

Facebook/HolyWisdom Located on the north shore of Lake Mendota, this Benedictine monastery invites the public on their restored lands to hike and enjoy the prairie as well as some awesome views of the lake and Madison. Located at 4200 Co Hwy M, Middleton, WI 53562.

  1. Schlitz Audubon Nature Center — Fox Point

Facbeook/SchlitzAudubonNatureCenter Located right on the shores of Lake Michigan, there’s tons to learn and explore here and much of it is on a boardwalk. The walk here is low-impact and gorgeous. Located at 1111 E Brown Deer Rd, Milwaukee, WI 53217.

  1. Lake Kegonsa State Park — Stoughton

GoodFreePhotos The trails here wind around small lakes and through restored prairies. Located at 2405 Door Creek Rd, Stoughton, WI 53589.

  1. Gibraltar Rock State Natural Area — Lodi

Flickr/JoshuaMayer There is some climbing here if your group is up to that, but you can also find plenty of flat spots to explore on the 4.5 miles of trails, including some on the Ice Age Trail. Located at Gibraltar Rock Rd, Lodi, WI 53555.

  1. Wehr Nature Center — Franklin

Flickr/Kristina Zuidema You’ll be stunned by how remote you feel in a park just off some major streets. A few different paths wind around a lake and show some beautiful trees, wetlands, and more. Located at 9701 W College Ave, Franklin, WI 53132.

  1. Owen Conservation Park — Madison

Yelp/Pravleen On a hilltop overlooking Madison’s west side, this park has 97 acres for you to explore. Located at 6021 Old Sauk Rd, Madison, WI 53705.

  1. Peninsula State Park — Fish Creek

Flickr/Michael McDonogh A gorgeous place to escape for a day in nature while up in Door County, you’ll find paths for all ages and abilities here. Located at 9462 Shore Rd, Fish Creek, WI 54212.

  1. Indian Lake County Park -— Cross Plains

Flickr/JoshuaMayer There are some hills here, so take that into account. But a hike here takes you to a historic chapel and views of Indian Lake. Located at 8183 WI-19, Cross Plains, WI 53528.

  1. Havenwoods State Forest — Milwaukee

Flickr/JuanAlbertoGarciaRivera A true hidden gem in the big city, this place has more than 230 acres of forest within the city limits. Located at 6141 N Hopkins St, Milwaukee, WI 53209.

  1. Willow River State Park — Hudson

Flickr/WIDNR With its tiered waterfalls and river gorge, this is a stunning park. Meander along the riverbed for an easy hike that has spectacular scenery. Located at 1034 County Highway A, Hudson, WI 54016.

  1. Bearskin State Trail — Minoqua

Flickr/Amy Bayer One of Wisconsin’s rails-to-trails converted spaces, this is an 18-mile way to explore the Northwoods.

  1. Seven Bridges — South Milwaukee

Flickr/DanMullen Located in Grant Park, this trail dates back to the early 20th century, and leads you through the woods and eventually right to the beach on Lake Michigan. Located at Seven Bridges Trail, South Milwaukee, WI 53172.

Where are your favorite easy and accessible trails? Let us know in the comments.

Flickr/bquad

There’s trails for all abilities here, including a relaxing and beautiful meadow loop. If your group is able, the short hike to the observation tower and the climb reward you with gorgeous, sweeping views. Located at W329 N846 County Road C, Delafield, WI 53018.

Facebook/HolyWisdom

Located on the north shore of Lake Mendota, this Benedictine monastery invites the public on their restored lands to hike and enjoy the prairie as well as some awesome views of the lake and Madison. Located at 4200 Co Hwy M, Middleton, WI 53562.

Facbeook/SchlitzAudubonNatureCenter

Located right on the shores of Lake Michigan, there’s tons to learn and explore here and much of it is on a boardwalk. The walk here is low-impact and gorgeous. Located at 1111 E Brown Deer Rd, Milwaukee, WI 53217.

GoodFreePhotos

The trails here wind around small lakes and through restored prairies. Located at 2405 Door Creek Rd, Stoughton, WI 53589.

Flickr/JoshuaMayer

There is some climbing here if your group is up to that, but you can also find plenty of flat spots to explore on the 4.5 miles of trails, including some on the Ice Age Trail. Located at Gibraltar Rock Rd, Lodi, WI 53555.

Flickr/Kristina Zuidema

You’ll be stunned by how remote you feel in a park just off some major streets. A few different paths wind around a lake and show some beautiful trees, wetlands, and more. Located at 9701 W College Ave, Franklin, WI 53132.

Yelp/Pravleen

On a hilltop overlooking Madison’s west side, this park has 97 acres for you to explore. Located at 6021 Old Sauk Rd, Madison, WI 53705.

Flickr/Michael McDonogh

A gorgeous place to escape for a day in nature while up in Door County, you’ll find paths for all ages and abilities here. Located at 9462 Shore Rd, Fish Creek, WI 54212.

There are some hills here, so take that into account. But a hike here takes you to a historic chapel and views of Indian Lake. Located at 8183 WI-19, Cross Plains, WI 53528.

Flickr/JuanAlbertoGarciaRivera

A true hidden gem in the big city, this place has more than 230 acres of forest within the city limits. Located at 6141 N Hopkins St, Milwaukee, WI 53209.

Flickr/WIDNR

With its tiered waterfalls and river gorge, this is a stunning park. Meander along the riverbed for an easy hike that has spectacular scenery. Located at 1034 County Highway A, Hudson, WI 54016.

Flickr/Amy Bayer

One of Wisconsin’s rails-to-trails converted spaces, this is an 18-mile way to explore the Northwoods.

Flickr/DanMullen

Located in Grant Park, this trail dates back to the early 20th century, and leads you through the woods and eventually right to the beach on Lake Michigan. Located at Seven Bridges Trail, South Milwaukee, WI 53172.

Looking for more short hikes? Check out 11 Amazing Wisconsin Hikes Under 3 Miles You’ll Absolutely Love.

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