Waushara County: Lakes, Trails and Natural Areas

Waushara County offers a variety of outdoor experiences: trails for hiking, biking or horseback riding, lakes and river areas, and diverse habitats. To start planning your trip, choose a focus: Would you like to explore a named trail, discover waterside landscapes or get to know the county's natural areas?

Trails and Tours Through Rural Landscapes

In south-central Waushara County, the seven-mile-long Bannerman Trail is designated for hiking, biking, horseback riding and snowmobiling.

The Ice Age Trail offers a different scale for planning: in the county, it covers 23 designated miles, divided into six segments. At the Bohn Lake segment, there is a trailhead on 9th Lane with an ADA-accessible parking lot.

You can also plan bike tours using the county's bike routes. They follow low-traffic, paved roads through rural landscapes.

Lakes, Shorelines and Fishing Areas

Kusel Lake County Park is on the eastern shore of shallow Kusel Lake, which has a sandy bottom. At Lake Alpine, the county park provides access to more than 1,900 feet of shoreline. The man-made Lake Alpine covers 66 acres.

Activities available at Willow Creek Fishery Area include fishing, hunting, canoeing and snowshoeing. Numerous parking areas along the site serve as access points. The area includes high-quality trout waters. Its scattered parcels extend along 10 miles of stream corridors and cover 2,172 acres.

The Mecan River Fishery Area supports natural trout reproduction along 31.1 miles of its total 48.7 miles of stream. Canoeing is also available there. Willow Creek combines fishing, hunting, canoeing and snowshoeing with numerous access points; at the Mecan River, canoeing is complemented by natural trout reproduction along 31.1 of its total 48.7 miles of stream.

Springs, Prairie and Wildlife

Mecan Springs protects large, clear springs that form the headwaters of the Mecan River. Fen vegetation grows in waterlogged areas.

About 650 acres of prairie have been restored in the Greenwood Wildlife Area. Oak-dominated forest communities cover about 700 acres. The area is also home to populations of the federally listed endangered Karner blue butterfly.

Culture and Seasonal Activities

The Waushara County Historical Society provides a specific connection to local history. It was founded in 1942 to take over the collections of Frank Briggs of Poy Sippi.

Seasonal activities in Waushara County include boating, skiing, snowshoeing, cross-country skiing, golf and hiking. Since the options vary by season, your desired activity should be a factor in choosing when to travel.

Discover more destinations: Wautoma, Polk, Iron County, Oconto County, Vilas County, Sawyer County, Marinette County, Milwaukee.

For the broader travel overview: Wisconsin.