From Broughton Sheboygan Marsh, navigable, shallow waters stretch for 25 miles to Lake Michigan. Sheboygan County also offers water recreation along the coast, on inland waters and on rivers. You can choose between coastal activities and the Marsh’s shallow waters. Tours on the Sheboygan River are also available in the county; for coastal tours on Lake Michigan, you can rent stand-up paddleboards.
Beaches and Dunes on Lake Michigan
Sheboygan has two miles of public sandy beaches along the shores of Lake Michigan. Surfing, kitesurfing and stand-up paddleboarding are available there. When wind speeds reach 15 to 25 miles per hour, kiteboarders are often seen at South Beach near King Park.
Kohler-Andrae State Park features miles of golden beaches along Lake Michigan and is open to everyone for exploration and recreation. You can experience a different landscape at Kohler Dunes State Natural Area, where you can see active and stabilized sand dunes, dune ponds and a dry-mesic white pine forest. The beach and dunes showcase different aspects of the coastal landscape.
Wetlands and Nature Observation
Sheboygan Marsh Wildlife Area encompasses the largest restored wetland in the Lake Michigan and Lake Superior watersheds of Wisconsin. It serves as a resting, nesting and rearing area for numerous water and wetland birds. The waters around the Marsh offer a different perspective from the beaches: here, wetlands and birdlife shape the nature experience.
Sanderling Nature Center offers exhibits about local wildlife, interactive information kiosks and hands-on activities. From its rooftop terrace, you can watch ships on Lake Michigan and waterfowl. At Maywood Environmental Park, six different ecosystems meet across 135 acres; the grounds also include an arboretum and a butterfly and hummingbird garden. Hiking, cross-country skiing, walking and birdwatching are available there year-round and free of charge.
Trails, Recreation and Motorsports
Sheboygan County is home to more than 39 miles of paved, car-free multi-use trails that are part of the NOMO Network. For a different kind of circuit, consider a visit to Road America at Elkhart Lake: through the “4 Miles of Fitness” visitor program, visitors can bike, walk or run the four-mile course with 14 turns. Road America also offers public race weekends, karting and Supermoto at the Briggs & Stratton Motorplex, as well as motorcycle and advanced driving schools.
You’ll find more trails at Rocky Knoll Health Care: the Rocky Knoll trail system includes 7.5 miles of mountain biking and hiking trails. Jaycee Quarry Park offers year-round disc golf, mountain biking and hiking trails, as well as views of the Pigeon River shoreline. There’s also a winter option that depends on snow conditions: when there’s enough snow, Sheboygan County maintains 228 miles of public snowmobile trails. The county also maintains six public access points on various inland waters.
Gardens, History and Local Offerings
Bookworm Gardens is a botanical garden in Sheboygan inspired by children’s literature. More than 40 buildings in the Downtown Sheboygan Falls Historic District have been restored to their original 19th-century grandeur. Both destinations offer cultural perspectives that differ from nature and outdoor experiences.
In Elkhart Lake, the Farmers & Artisans Market at Village Square is a Saturday morning tradition. About 50 vendors sell locally grown Wisconsin vegetables, flowers and cheese, as well as crafts and specialty products.
Discover more destinations: Sheboygan Falls, Glenbeulah, Sheboygan, Kohler, Elkhart Lake, Random Lake, St. Croix County, Kewaunee County.
For the main travel overview: Wisconsin.
