Manitowoc County: Trails, Nature, and Culture

In Manitowoc County, trails open year-round meet seasonal offerings, historic sites, and landscapes along Lake Michigan. When planning a trip, you can choose from routes for different activities, museums with a variety of focuses, and natural areas. The time of year also matters: some experiences are available only during a specific window, while others are subject to a particular visitor condition.

Trails Along the Lake and Throughout the County

The Devils River State Recreational Trail is open year-round for walking, running, biking, cross-country skiing, and snowmobiling. Its 14 miles run from Rockwood Road to the Village of Denmark. Along Lake Michigan, the paved Mariners Trail connects Manitowoc and Two Rivers over seven miles. Five parking areas are located at rest stops along the trail.

The two routes differ both in length and in their described character: the Devils River State Recreational Trail features a longer route with several explicitly listed uses. The Mariners Trail is shorter, paved, and connects two lakeside communities. As you plan your trip, you can consider whether the variety of activities or the route along Lake Michigan better suits your plans.

Point Beach State Forest has 3.6 miles of horseback riding trails, open seasonally from May through October. This makes the seasonal window an important difference from the year-round uses available on the Devils River State Recreational Trail. The Point Beach Nature Center features exhibits on recreational opportunities, glacial landforms, the rare local ecosystem, shipwrecks, and the Rawley Point Lighthouse. The “Shipwrecks of Rawley Point” exhibit displays artifacts from ships that sank off Rawley Point.

Maritime History and Special Collections

The Rawley Point Lighthouse has been operated by the U.S. Coast Guard since 1853. You can view and photograph the lighthouse from the beach; tours are generally not available. When planning, keep in mind that you can see it from the beach, but you should not count on a tour.

The museums also offer very different points of interest. The USS Cobia was designated a National Historic Landmark and listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1986. The Wisconsin Maritime Museum is on the Maritime-Metro Transit Line; a stop is located directly in front of the museum building. The museum is within walking distance of the S.S. Badger Carferry dock.

The Hamilton Wood Type and Printing Museum’s collection includes 1.5 million wooden letters in more than 1,000 patterns, styles, and sizes. The Rahr-West Art Museum combines a late-19th-century Victorian mansion with an exhibition wing for art added in the 20th century. Those interested in design and architecture will find two distinct points of interest here: an extensive collection of wooden type and the combination of a historic residence with a later exhibition building.

Living History and Gardens

The Manitowoc County Historical Society Museum and Pinecrest Village is a 60-acre living history museum. The grounds include more than 30 structures brought together from across Manitowoc County. Immigrant homes, historic crafts, and village life around the turn of the 20th century shape its focus. The site is divided into “Newcomers,” “The Village,” and “Rural Settlement.”

In winter, visitors can explore the grounds on a walk while the historic buildings are closed. Advance registration is required for Manitowoc County Historical Society walking tours, which last about one to one and a half hours. A winter walk outdoors and a guided tour therefore differ both in access requirements and in the time they take.

West of the Lake Gardens were established by Ruth West in 1934 and expanded by 1950 to ten distinct gardens covering a total of 6.5 acres. Visitors can stroll through themed gardens and rest on benches. From Memorial Day weekend through early October, the gardens are open daily from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., weather permitting. Seasonal opening hours and the weather condition are part of planning a visit to this destination.

Landscapes and Nature Experiences

Lower Cato Falls is an 84-acre scenic park. The Manitowoc River forms the park’s northern boundary and flows through a narrow gorge with rock formations and a waterfall area. At Fischer Creek Conservation Area, meanwhile, land on both sides of Fischer Creek extends eastward to Lake Michigan. The habitats described include abandoned farmland, meadows, and lowland forests.

Woodland Dunes is especially well suited to observing Wisconsin raptors during the fall migration along the lakeshore. Ice fishing on Long Lake, a popular spot for the activity, is another seasonal option. Cherney Maribel Caves County Park offers developed facilities for picnicking and hiking. These places have different highlights: migration, a winter activity, or time outdoors with opportunities for hiking and picnicking.

Discover more destinations: Two Rivers, Manitowoc, Reedsville, Mishicot, Kewaunee County, Fond Du Lac County, Vilas County, Juneau County.

For the main travel overview: Wisconsin.