HomeWisconsinPleasant Prairie › Hackbarth & Ponderosa Pit Trail System

Hackbarth & Ponderosa Pit Trail System

4.6 ★★★★★ 42 Google reviews · Running trail in Pleasant Prairie, Wisconsin · Open 24 hours

Runner's snapshot

Surface
Mixed
Distance
Not reported
Shape
Not reported
Shade
Not reported
Access
Open 24 hours

Confirmed from Hackbarth & Ponderosa Pit Trail System's own listing, the park or land manager's website, and runner reviews. Blank cells mean we could not verify that fact — we would rather say "not reported" than invent one. There is no Easy / Moderate / Hard rating on this page on purpose: a one-word difficulty score tells you nothing about whether a trail suits your run. Surface, distance, shade and hours do.

MixedOpen 24hScenicDog-friendly

Kid-friendly hiking area featuring trails in a picturesque forest.

What runners say about Hackbarth & Ponderosa Pit Trail System

Pulled from public reviews of this trail (42 of them) — the things people bring up again and again, in their own words. Nothing here is written by us.

well-maintained 3 mentions

“Very well maintained and plenty of parking.”

🏞️ beautiful scenery 8 mentions

“Beautiful boardwalk, nature photography spot, and nice trails for mountain biking and hiking away from Lake Andrea.”

🐕 dog-walking favorite 3 mentions

“My dog is friendly, but only when not rushed upon by another dog!”

My first time exploring these trails, the wooden board walk is pretty cool. I did not see much wildlife at all. It could be me timing, it was the middle of the day. If you are biking Lake Andria you should check these trails out.

★★★★★ — John , Jul 2023

Start at the trailhead at the Pleasant Prairie Rec Center (go around the lake to the left and you’ll find it right across from the beach area). The boardwalk crosses the river and has a loop at the end you can walk around. Beautiful in the fall with all the leaves, but recommend bug spray in summer!

★★★★★ — Nate , Dec 2020

Beautiful boardwalk, nature photography spot, and nice trails for mountain biking and hiking away from Lake Andrea. Packed asphalt, gravel, and smooth dirt exist between the boardwalk and Lake Andrea. After the boardwalk is a field mowed by a tractor and not much more for improvements, yet.

★★★★★ — Johnathan , Aug 2016

Nice flat trail in the woods, flood plains and over a creek. Short less than a mile. Don't bring pets as active animal trapping is going on. LOTS of mosquitoes in late spring through first frost.

★★★★★ — Andrew , Oct 2018

Excerpts from public Google reviews. Read all 42 reviews →

Trail conditions & character

What this trail is actually like underfoot and overhead, taken from its own listing and from reviews. Each one links to every other trail with the same character. Busy or quiet is reported as a plain fact, not a plus or a minus — a runner heading out alone at dawn often wants company on the path, and someone running intervals wants an empty one.

🏞️ Scenic views 8 mentions

“Beautiful boardwalk, nature photography spot, and nice trails for mountain biking and hiking away from Lake Andrea.”

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🐕 Dog-friendly 7 mentions

“It looks like dogs are allowed and there were a couple times I found feces on the trail.”

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🪵 Boardwalk 4 mentions

“Beautiful boardwalk, nature photography spot, and nice trails for mountain biking and hiking away from Lake Andrea.”

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🌲 Natural surface / singletrack 2 mentions

“It wasn't too muddy but be careful as there may be some muddy spots.”

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Plan your run at Hackbarth & Ponderosa Pit Trail System

The practical stuff

  • AccessOpen 24 hours — no gate to beat, so a 5am or a 10pm run both work
  • SurfaceMixed — more than one surface along the route, so check the segment you plan to run
  • DistanceNot reported. Trail systems often quote total path mileage rather than a single loop, so measure the route you actually want before you drive out.
  • ShadeNot reported. Assume some of it is exposed and carry water in summer.
  • DogsWelcome, per reviewers. Leash rules vary by park — the trailhead sign is the authority.

Hours

Monday Open 24 hours
Tuesday Open 24 hours
Wednesday Open 24 hours
Thursday Open 24 hours
Friday Open 24 hours
Saturday Open 24 hours
Sunday Open 24 hours

Posted hours for the park or trailhead. Gates and parking lots often close earlier than the trail itself, and seasonal hours change — worth a check before a pre-dawn or after-dark run.

Where to find Hackbarth & Ponderosa Pit Trail System

Pleasant Prairie, Wisconsin

Get directions

Running trails near Pleasant Prairie

Other trails within easy driving distance — useful when this one is flooded, gated, or just not the run you had in mind today.

Jerome Creek Nature Preserve

4.9 ★★★★★ 14 reviews

Pleasant Prairie, WI

Boardwalk

under a mile away

Prairie Springs Park

4.9 ★★★★★ 7 reviews

Pleasant Prairie, WI

under a mile away

Donald Hackbarth Trail

4.5 ★★★★★ 6 reviews

Pleasant Prairie, WI

Scenic

under a mile away

Trailhead

4.9 ★★★★★ 10 reviews

Pleasant Prairie, WI

under a mile away

Prairie Farms Trail

4.3 ★★★★☆ 3 reviews

Pleasant Prairie, WI

under a mile away

1.1 miles away

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Nearby towns

Listing verified July 2026 from public records, the trail's own website and runner reviews. Trail conditions change — paths flood, gates close at dusk, and shaded woods stay muddy for days after rain. Something out of date? Report a correction. Manage this trail? Send us the details — it is free.