HomeWisconsinElkhorn › Petersen Island Woods Preserve - Kettle Moraine Land Trust

Petersen Island Woods Preserve - Kettle Moraine Land Trust

4.5 ★★★★★ 13 Google reviews · Running trail in Elkhorn, Wisconsin · Posted hours

Runner's snapshot

Surface
Not reported
Distance
Not reported
Shape
Not reported
Shade
Not reported
Access
Posted hours

Confirmed from Petersen Island Woods Preserve - Kettle Moraine Land Trust'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.

ScenicTrailhead parking

What runners say about Petersen Island Woods Preserve - Kettle Moraine Land Trust

Pulled from public reviews of this trail (13 of them) — the things people bring up again and again, in their own words. Nothing here is written by us.

🏞️ beautiful scenery 3 mentions

“Beautiful scenery with lots birds and we even saw two deer.”

Short hike but very beautiful! Lots of birds and wildlife, plenty of shade so great for hike on a hot day. Very peaceful and rather hidden. The parking lot was almost completely full but the trail was pretty empty, must be residents of the neighborhood using the parking lot.

★★★★★ — Kyle , Jul 2020

The place is small with many fallen trees, it seems special to see woodpeckers, the place is surrounded by private properties with views to The Green Lake. It have a small parking lot. Some of the signs are broken, we should come back on Spring time looks really nice.

★★★★☆ — Heriberto , Feb 2023

Very nice trail not much parking where I entered but there might be another parking spot. Very natural and nice path.

★★★★★ — Michelle , May 2025

Excerpts from public Google reviews. Read all 13 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.

🅿️ Trailhead parking 7 mentions

“The parking lot was almost completely full but the trail was pretty empty, must be residents of the neighborhood using the parking lot.”

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🏞️ Scenic views 4 mentions

“The place is small with many fallen trees, it seems special to see woodpeckers, the place is surrounded by private properties with views to The Green Lake.”

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Plan your run at Petersen Island Woods Preserve - Kettle Moraine Land Trust

The practical stuff

  • AccessPosted hours — posted hours below; park gates sometimes close earlier than the listing says
  • 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 trailheadparking — reported by runners
  • Websitekmlandtrust.org
  • Phone(262) 949-7211
  • Social Facebook

Hours

Monday 5 AM–9 PM
Tuesday 5 AM–9 PM
Wednesday 5 AM–9 PM
Thursday 5 AM–9 PM
Friday 5 AM–9 PM
Saturday 5 AM–9 PM
Sunday 5 AM–9 PM

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 Petersen Island Woods Preserve - Kettle Moraine Land Trust

Oak Park Rd, Elkhorn, WI 53121

Get directions

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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.