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Kettle Moraine State Forest- Pike Lake Unit
4.7 ★★★★★ 562 Google reviews · Running trail in Hartford, Wisconsin · Posted hours
Runner's snapshot
- Surface
- Crushed gravel
- Distance
- Not reported
- Shape
- Not reported
- Shade
- Not reported
- Access
- Posted hours
Confirmed from Kettle Moraine State Forest- Pike Lake Unit'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.
Forested park with hiking trails through glacial hills & valleys plus swimming, camping & fishing.
What runners say about Kettle Moraine State Forest- Pike Lake Unit
“It is always clean and even when the parking lot seems full, it never feels crowded.”
“The area is well kept, and offers scenic views of the nearby Pike Lake from the top.”
“The trails are well marked(brown/orange/yellow, etc), and most of them intersect, so one can hike all day.”
Beautiful Park anytime time of year. Wonderful trails. Some minor elevation change makes it a nice workout. Small beach is perfect in the summer. Nice sunset views over the lake. $8 per car per day for residents. Plenty of parking, picnic tables. Bathrooms were solid and clean. Also has a short paved accessible loop!
10/02/21 Pike Lake Unit of Wisconsin Kettle Moraine State Forest. The Pike Lake Tower provides great views of this colorful forest. The hiking trails are easy for most visitors. Part of the lake front path is quite wet on 10/02/21. See more on Youtube, search: Pike Lake Unit Sweet Calming
Very nice State park in the Kettle Moraine chain. Park staff were very friendly and helpful. Park maps are available at the park entrance. We were there for hiking fall colors. The observation tower on powder hill was a pleasant surprise and very popular. Hiking trails are fairly well marked.
Absolutely gorgeous state park. The beach is great during the summer and kayak and SUP rentals are available seasonally. The boat launch is new, and they also have a dog beach. There are many trails to choose from for hiking, including part of the Ice Age Trail.
Trail conditions & character
“Always incredible views, volunteer was out today which was really nice to see and everyone on the trail was so kind.”
“Nature abounds at every turn with the trails being well groomed and hilly for those that want a little extra in their hike.”
“Went here on a whim just to get the kids and the dog out of the house.”
“Pets are allowed on leash, but not accessible for strollers.”
“The trail is made up of several types of surfaces to include grass, dirt, sand, rocks, pea gravel, and hard - packed dirt.”
“The trails are well marked(brown/orange/yellow, etc), and most of them intersect, so one can hike all day.”
Plan your run at Kettle Moraine State Forest- Pike Lake Unit
The practical stuff
- AccessPosted hours — posted hours below; park gates sometimes close earlier than the listing says
- SurfaceCrushed gravel — the rail-trail classic: softer than asphalt, still smooth enough for tempo work
- 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.
- At the trailheadrestrooms — reported by runners
- DogsWelcome, per reviewers. Leash rules vary by park — the trailhead sign is the authority.
- Stroller / wheelchairReported as smooth and step-free enough for a running stroller or a chair.
- Websitednr.wisconsin.gov
- Phone+1 262-670-3400
- Social Instagram · Facebook
Hours
| Monday | 6 am–11 pm |
| Tuesday | 6 am–11 pm |
| Wednesday | 6 am–11 pm |
| Thursday | 6 am–11 pm |
| Friday | 6 am–11 pm |
| Saturday | 6 am–11 pm |
| Sunday | 6 am–11 pm |
Running trails near Hartford
Other trails within easy driving distance — useful when this one is flooded, gated, or just not the run you had in mind today.
Rubicon River Bike Trail
4.7 ★★★★★ 3 reviews
Powder Hill Observation Tower
4.9 ★★★★★ 89 reviews
Steep destination with an observation tower offering scenic views of forests and a lake.
Day Use Area
4.8 ★★★★★ 154 reviews
Popular outdoor recreation area featuring hiking trails through forests and prairies to a beach, a picnic area and a tower.
Pike Lake Beach
4.7 ★★★★★ 232 reviews
Lake with hiking trails and beaches for swimming.
Willowbrook Park
4.6 ★★★★★ 228 reviews
Park with a basketball court, a playground, picnic tables, and BBQ grills, plus a river.
