A 30-mile paved trail gives Ozaukee a distinctive thread: the Ozaukee Interurban Trail runs the entire length of Ozaukee County, connecting historic town centers with natural landscapes. Here, local history and landscape meet as two sides of the same discovery. Along Lake Michigan and the rivers, nature reveals itself in very different forms.
Bluffs, Beach and Trails Along Lake Michigan
Lion’s Den Gorge Nature Preserve includes one of the last undeveloped bluff sections on the shore of Lake Michigan. Stairs lead down to the lakeshore. At the peak of spring migration, more than 20 warbler species can be found within a short walk of the parking lot. This makes birdwatching clearly seasonal: the timing coincides with the peak of spring migration.
Harrington Beach State Park offers a different coastal experience. It has more than a mile of beach on Lake Michigan and a mile of shoreline, as well as seven miles of hiking trails. The beach, shoreline and trails give the park several distinct dimensions, without prescribing a set order for exploring them. Visitors can also walk along the 0.5-mile breakwater and stand beneath the lighthouse arches.
Riverbanks, Forest and Paddling Access
At Tendick Nature Park, a canoe and kayak launch provides access to the Milwaukee River. River Oaks Park also offers river access with a canoe and kayak launch. At Hawthorne Hills Park, by contrast, the forest takes center stage: the 57.1-acre park is mostly undeveloped woodland. Hiking trails run through the eastern part of the property, and there is also access to the Milwaukee River for fishing. Paddling access, forest trails and fishing opportunities offer different ways to experience the area.
The riverbank is also an important part of the experience at Ehlers Park, with approximately 2,200 feet of shoreline along the Milwaukee River. It is used as a canoe and kayak launch or as an access point for groups taking part in the annual “Canoe Runs.” If you plan to attend one of these events, check the event dates before your trip.
Covered Bridge, Museums and Local History
Covered Bridge Park is home to Wisconsin’s last original covered wooden bridge, built in 1876. History also comes to life at Pioneer Village. A road leads to the parking lot, from which gravel paths run throughout the village. Stony Hill School offers another historic highlight: the stone, one-room schoolhouse is where Bernard Cigrand taught and recognized the very first Flag Day celebration in 1885.
The 1860 Light Station includes a lighthouse with a lantern room, as well as the lighthouse keeper’s living quarters. Tours include a climb to the lantern room, where a replica of a fourth-order Fresnel lens is on display. Check tour availability before your trip. The station’s accessible entrance leads to the ground-floor museum; check accessibility information before your visit.
Art and crafts complement the historic sites: the Wisconsin Museum of Quilts & Fiber Arts is dedicated to preserving fiber art. At the Cedarburg Art Museum, the wheelchair-accessible entrance is at the rear of the building and leads to the ground-floor galleries and museum shop. Check this accessibility information again before your trip, too.
A guided tour of Cedar Creek Winery includes tastings of several wines. Alongside the museums and historic sites, it offers another way to discover Ozaukee: in addition to landscapes and outdoor activities, visitors can choose from concrete experiences in art, history and guided wine tasting.
Discover more destinations: Cedarburg, Port Washington, Grafton, Mequon, Belgium, Saukville, Sauk County, Barron County.
For the broader travel overview: Wisconsin.
