Four hiking trails wind through the Kettle Moraine landscape in Natureland Park. Riverbanks, wetlands and lakes add further dimensions to outdoor experiences around Walworth. If you enjoy spending time outdoors, the variety of landscapes may be the deciding factor: sometimes a hiking trail takes center stage, sometimes a view of the river and marsh, or an observation from the water.

Hiking Trails, Riverbanks and Diverse Habitats

White River County Park covers nearly 200 acres and stretches for two miles along the White River. Its riverside setting gives the park a different character from the hiking trails in Natureland Park. There are five places in Walworth County where you can park and access the White River State Trail.

The nature preserves also differ considerably from one another. The landscape of Troy Wildlife Area includes open wetlands, lowland brush, oak and lowland forests, and a small section of restored prairie. By contrast, Turtle Valley Wildlife Area consists mostly of shallow marshes, wet meadows and tallgrass prairie on the surrounding uplands. If you find different habitats interesting, you can consider these descriptions side by side rather than looking for just one type of landscape.

Marshes, Lakes and Special Plants

Lulu Lake is a 95-acre drainage kettle lake, 40 feet deep, fed by the Mukwonago River. The wetlands at Lulu Lake are best seen from watercraft via the channel from nearby Eagle Spring Lake to the north. This recommendation highlights the difference between viewing the area from the water and hiking through a nature preserve.

At Beulah Bog, a boardwalk leads visitors to the edge of the bog lake. Six species of carnivorous plants grow there. Young Prairie offers a different botanical point of interest: more than 80 native plant species have been found there. The figures represent different highlights—in Beulah Bog, carnivorous species; in Young Prairie, the diversity of native plants.

On Geneva Lake: Shorelines and Views

Big Foot Beach State Park sits on the shore of Lake Geneva and offers a family campground. Black Point Estate & Gardens, by contrast, is perched on a hill with views over Geneva Lake. The descriptions of these places thus present two different perspectives on the lake: the State Park’s shoreline and the elevated view from Black Point Estate & Gardens.

The Lake Geneva Shore Path is a 21- to 26-mile route around Geneva Lake that can be walked in sections. You therefore don’t need to think of the entire route as a single hike: the option to walk it in sections is a practical point to consider when planning. Nature trails, lake shores and longer routes can thus be explored according to your interests.

Regional History and Other Discoveries

At the Geneva Lake Museum, visitors can walk along a paved Main Street from an earlier era. The homes and shops along the street represent the Geneva Lake region from 1830 to 1980. The exhibit brings regional history to life through a recreated streetscape rather than presenting it solely through individual objects.

The historic railway cars of the East Troy Electric Railroad travel a 14-mile route through southeastern Wisconsin. The East Troy Railroad Depot Museum features model trains, artifacts and exhibits about electricity. The Whitewater Historical Society Museum is housed in the historic Whitewater Passenger Depot. Together, these places offer different ways to explore history: a recreated streetscape, a railroad route and a museum in a historic depot.

Barnyard Adventure also brings together a variety of themes. These include an official Monarch Waystation garden. The Learning Coop covers topics including cooking, agriculture and home life. Its range therefore extends beyond landscapes and regional history to butterfly gardens and practical everyday subjects.

Discover more destinations: Elkhorn, Lake Geneva, Whitewater, Fontana-On-Geneva Lake, Delavan, East Troy, Marathon, Grant County.

For the broader travel overview: Wisconsin.