6 Best Fall Hikes in Whitewater, WI
Fall is one of the best times to explore Whitewater, Wisconsin. With the Kettle Moraine State Forest – Southern Unit, Ice Age Trail, Whitewater Lake and several local nature preserves nearby, there are trails for everything from a short fall color walk to an all-day hike. From lake overlooks to hardwood forests filled with fall color, here are six of the best places for fall hiking in Whitewater, WI.
Our 6 Favorite Fall Hikes
1. Natureland Park
🌟 Best for: Lake views, shorter hikes and varied scenery
📍 W8338 Territorial Rd, Whitewater, WI 53190
Natureland Park offers more than 122 acres along Whitewater Lake and four hiking trails that can be explored individually or combined for a longer outing. The mix of woods, prairie, wetlands and lake views makes it an especially scenic place to hike in fall.
The park's trails include:
High Wilderness Trail | 0.6 miles: A woodland hike through hilly terrain and pines.
Prairie Trail | 1 mile: A fairly flat trail passing a pond, prairie and woodlands.
Trail of Many Terrains | 0.9 miles: A varied route featuring boardwalks, wetlands, forests and lakeshore scenery.
Vista Trail | 0.5 mile: A woodland trail alongside Whitewater Lake.
The Vista Trail and Trail of Many Terrains provide views of Whitewater Lake, giving hikers a chance to see fall colors reflected across the water. Natureland is also a good choice for families or anyone who wants the flexibility of a shorter fall hike. Dogs are welcome but are required to be on a leash no longer than 5 feet.
2. Ice Age Trail: Whitewater Lake Segment
🌟 Best for: Fall color, Whitewater Lake views and classic Kettle Moraine scenery
📍 W8141 Clover Valley Rd, Whitewater, WI 53190
For a more challenging fall hike, head to the Whitewater Lake Segment of the Ice Age National Scenic Trail. The approximately 4.6-mile segment travels through hilly terrain shaped by glaciers, including wooded moraines and kettles. The elevation changes and forest make this an excellent hike for seeing fall color!
From the trail access parking area on Clover Valley Road, you will pass through pines, follow the bridge to cross over Whitewater Creek, and then pass through the Whitewater Lake Recreation Area where you will find a spur trail that connects to the Rice Lake Nature Trail. If you continue the Ice Age trail, you will cross Hi-Lo Road, find another spur trail that connects to the DNR contact station, start an upward climb past the Whitewater Lake Campground, and arrive at an overlook that provides views of Whitewater Lake. For a shorter hike of about 2 miles, the Whitewater Lake overlook makes a good turnaround point.
For a longer hike, continue north on the Ice Age Trail toward US Highway 12, where the Blackhawk Segment begins.
3. Ice Age Trail: Blackhawk Segment
🌟 Best for: Fall color, a longer hike and changing landscapes
📍7206 US-12, Whitewater, WI 53190
The Blackhawk Segment of the Ice Age Trail offers approximately 7 miles of hiking through the Kettle Moraine State Forest – Southern Unit.
From the parking lot off Highway 12, the segment briefly climbs a hill then descends and meanders around Lake La Grange. It passes along marshes surrounding the lake and then through the woods and grass prairie. There are a few benches along the way for a break offering scenic views of Lake La Grange.
The segment intersects with a white-blazed path that heads south along the lake and returns to the parking lot. For a shorter fall hike, follow the white blazed trail south along Lake La Grange to create an approximately 3-mile loop back to the parking area.
Alternatively, you can continue the Ice Age Trail through a hardwood forest, past a spur trail to Backpack shelter 3, a spur trail to the Pioneer Lime Kiln, a spur trail to the historic Ole Oleson cabin, along a small lake, and through hilly forest terrain.
The variety of landscapes makes the Blackhawk Segment particularly appealing in fall. Colorful hardwoods give way to open areas where hikers can take in wider views of the surrounding Kettle Moraine.
4. Bald Bluff Nature Trail
🌟 Best for: A short hike with elevation and history
📍 Co Rd H, Palmyra, WI 53156
The Bald Bluff Nature Trail leads to one of the highest points in Jefferson County at 1,050 feet. The 1 to 1.5-mile challenging trail takes you from the parking lot to the overlook and back. It is a great destination when you want a shorter hike during fall color season.
Bald Bluff was originally named for its lack of trees. Although the landscape has changed over the years as trees have filled in, hikers can still find prairie and native plants along the trail.
For hikers interested in extending the trip, continue on the Ice Age Trail – Blue Spring Lake Segment. This up-and-down 7.1-mile segment passes a spur trail to a massive granite erratic known as the Stone Elephant, traverses through the Kettle Moraine Oak Opening State Natural Area, and along the Horseriders Campground.
Bald Bluff Nature Trail Information
5. Nordic Hiking Trails
🌟 Best for: Fall color and scenic vistas from the northern Blue Trail
📍 N9084 Co Rd H, Whitewater, WI 53190
Located in the Kettle Moraine State Forest – Southern Unit, the Nordic trails wind through hardwood forests, pine plantations, open meadows and rolling Kettle Moraine terrain. Six trails of varying lengths and difficulty levels give hikers several options for exploring the area.
For some of the best views, take the Blue Triangle Trail near the north end of the trail system. It can be added to either the Red or Orange route and provides scenic vistas over the surrounding fall landscape.
The combination of hardwood forest and elevated views makes Nordic one of the best places around Whitewater to plan a hike near peak fall color.
Nordic Trail Hiking Information and Maps
6. UW-Whitewater Nature Preserve
🌟 Best for: Convenient hiking close to town
📍 910 Schwager Dr, Whitewater, WI 53190
The UW Whitewater Nature Preserve provides a network of trails through natural areas on the university campus. The trail system includes the 2-mile Leopold Trail, 1.5-mile Friars Woods Trail, 1.5-mile James Trail and several shorter routes. Together, they provide opportunities to explore woods, prairie and restored natural areas without leaving Whitewater.
The preserve is a convenient option for a morning walk or an afternoon hike.
UW Whitewater Nature Preserve Information
When Is the Best Time for Fall Colors in Whitewater, Wisconsin?
Fall color timing varies each year depending on temperatures, rainfall and other weather conditions. In Whitewater, fall colors are typically at their best during the second and third weeks of October. To view current conditions, check out the Travel Wisconsin Fall Color Report.
Plan a Fall Hiking Trip to Whitewater
Whitewater is surrounded by some of southeastern Wisconsin's most distinctive natural scenery. The Kettle Moraine State Forest – Southern Unit alone encompasses more than 22,000 acres of glacial hills, kettle lakes, prairies and forests, with an extensive network of hiking and nature trails.
Whether you want an easy walk along Whitewater Lake, a colorful hike through the Nordic trails or several miles on the Ice Age Trail, there is a fall hike for nearly every experience level.
If you are looking for a challenge, consider the Mammoth Hike Challenge. To complete the challenge, hike 46 miles on the Ice Age Trail, visit three Ice Age Trail Communities, including Whitewater if you are hiking locally, and submit your completion form.
Before heading out, check current trail information and review a trail map. A Wisconsin state park vehicle admission sticker is required for parking in designated areas of the Kettle Moraine State Forest – Southern Unit.
Kettle Moraine State Forest – Southern Unit Hiking Information
Looking for an itinerary to help you start planning? Check out The Best Fall Weekend.