Washington County is best explored through its landscape, shaped by the Ice Age. The entire stretch of the Ice Age Trail through the county lies within the Kettle Moraine; it runs through ridges, drumlin hills, till plains, and kames. The moraine formed when the Green Bay and Lake Michigan glacial lobes met and retreated. Along the way, you’ll encounter different landforms that tell the story of how this landscape came to be.
Ice Age Landforms and Varied Park Landscapes
The parks show how varied this landscape can be. Glacier Hills County Park covers 140 acres of mostly wooded land and about 1,200 feet of shoreline on Friess Lake. Homestead Hollow spans about 105 acres of prairie, open grassland, and woodland. Historic barns recall the site’s agricultural past.
The size and terrain also give each park its own character: Sandy Knoll covers 257 acres of prairie and woodland on gently rolling, mostly flat terrain. Ackerman’s Grove is smaller at 68 acres, but hilly and wooded; the park is on the southeastern shore of Little Cedar Lake. There you’ll find a boat launch, a sandy beach, a picnic area by the shore, and a short loop trail through the woods. Heritage Trails, meanwhile, combines Kettle Moraine hills, prairies, and woodlands across 234 acres.
Trails, Seasons, and Accessible Amenities
The Washington County Parks System includes six larger parks as well as numerous hiking trails, dog parks, beaches, and special events. At Erler Lake, Leonard J. Yahr County Park offers a beach, picnic areas, and a scenic trail; the beach is open seasonally. The parks’ varied landscapes can be appreciated for their distinct character, from woods and lakefront to open grassland and gently rolling terrain.
The Pike Lake Unit of Kettle Moraine State Forest has accessible campsites, an accessible fishing pier, and a boat launch with an accessible boarding pier. Amenities also include an amphitheater with accessible seating, universal access trails between parking lots and park areas, and accessible hiking trails. In winter, four miles are groomed for classic cross-country skiing and skating, when snow and operating conditions permit. Check current grooming conditions before your visit.
The 25-mile Eisenbahn State Trail runs from West Bend through Kewaskum and Campbellsport to Eden, following a former railroad corridor. The German name means “railway” and recalls the corridor’s former use. The towns along the route help orient visitors, while its former role as a rail line adds another layer of history to the trail.
Art, Vehicles, and Local History
The permanent exhibition at MOWA | West Bend’s Museum of Wisconsin Art is on view year-round. The Wisconsin Automotive Museum offers a different perspective on regional history: its changing display features more than 120 classic vehicles and numerous automotive objects. It includes the world’s largest assembled collection of Kissel luxury automobiles built in Hartford. Since the composition of the exhibition may change, it’s worth checking the latest information before your visit.
The Edward H. Wolf Schleisingerville to Slinger Historical Museum focuses on the local history of Slinger. Its special features include a fully functional theater organ, a model railroad club, and more than 4,000 square feet of exhibition space. The Tower Heritage Center is home to the Washington County Historical Society. At Richfield Historical Park, you’ll find a restored 1870 grist mill with its original equipment and a 19th-century house listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
Historic buildings at the Richfield Historical Society are open during events, including Maple Syrup Family Day, Art At the Mill, Thresheree & Harvest Festival, Blacksmith Day, and Luminary Walk. Dates and programs may change from year to year. Dheinsville Settlement also offers several historical points of interest: the settlement includes three museums and pre-Civil War buildings, including the Wolf Haus, the 1862 Christ Church, the Bast Bell Museum, and the Fire Hall. The complex also includes a genealogical research library.
Events and Experiences
Dheinsville Settlement hosts an Oktoberfest every year on the last weekend in September. As specific dates may vary, check the latest event information in advance. The Washington County Fair combines 4-H exhibits with food stands, a carnival featuring a Ferris wheel, and performances by national artists. Dates and programs also change from year to year.
For an encounter with farm animals, Magic Willow Alpacas welcomes groups, families, and individuals. There you can meet more than 30 alpacas and other farm animals. Washington County’s offerings range from Ice Age landforms and trails to art and automotive history, events, and a visit to an alpaca farm.
Discover more destinations: West Bend, Germantown, Barron County, Winnebago, Langlade, Richland County, Burnett, Vernon County.
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