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Pike Lake Beach

4.7 ★★★★★ 232 Google reviews · Running trail in Hartford, Wisconsin · Posted hours

Runner's snapshot

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

Confirmed from Pike Lake Beach'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.

ScenicDog-friendlyStroller / ADAHillyRestroomsTrailhead parkingMile markers

Lake with hiking trails and beaches for swimming.

What runners say about Pike Lake Beach

Pulled from public reviews of this trail (232 of them) — the things people bring up again and again, in their own words. Nothing here is written by us.

well-maintained 8 mentions

“It is a great place to take your water loving dog, as the water is clean and the park is well kept.”

🏞️ beautiful scenery 11 mentions

“There are some great views down by the lake, and we have seen plenty of deer on both of our visits.”

🪧 well-marked 2 mentions

“The trails are well marked, have some great hills and are moderately difficult.”

Pike Lake State Park has good picnic and beach areas. Ice Age National Trail goes through continuously (past Holy Hill & then Merton)

★★★★☆ — Johnathan , Sep 2024

The dog beach is adjacent to the "people beach", as you need to follow the wheelchair accessible path from the parking lot to the dog beach. The dog beach is nice, but small. It is a great place to take your water loving dog, as the water is clean and the park is well kept.

★★★★☆ — Mary , Dec 2018

Magnificent park, with a beautiful lake, and great for families, and kids throughout the year. Whereas the lake is full of boats during summers, expect a whole lot of snowmobiles and snowshoeing during the winters. The trails range from easy to moderate, and also have a dedicated bike route.

★★★★★ — Karan , Sep 2022

Beautiful park as a whole! I ran a race here this morning which included climbing their tall tower and snapped this fantastic overview of Pike Lake! The trails are challenging and very scenic!

★★★★★ — Rebecca , Aug 2019

Excerpts from public Google reviews. Read all 232 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.

🐕 Dog-friendly 15 mentions

“The dog beach is adjacent to the "people beach", as you need to follow the wheelchair accessible path from the parking lot to the dog beach.”

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🏞️ Scenic views 12 mentions

“There are some great views down by the lake, and we have seen plenty of deer on both of our visits.”

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🅿️ Trailhead parking 5 mentions

“The dog beach is adjacent to the "people beach", as you need to follow the wheelchair accessible path from the parking lot to the dog beach.”

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⛰️ Hills / elevation 3 mentions

“The trails are well marked, have some great hills and are moderately difficult.”

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🚻 Restrooms 2 mentions

“Plenty parking, clean bathrooms, well maintained.”

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Stroller / ADA accessible 2 mentions

“The dog beach is adjacent to the "people beach", as you need to follow the wheelchair accessible path from the parking lot to the dog beach.”

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📏 Mile markers 2 mentions

“The trails are well marked, have some great hills and are moderately difficult.”

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Plan your run at Pike Lake Beach

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, restrooms — 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(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

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 Pike Lake Beach

3250 Kettle Moraine Rd, Hartford, WI 53027

Get directions

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.

Day Use Area

4.8 ★★★★★ 154 reviews

Hartford, WI

ScenicDog-friendly

Popular outdoor recreation area featuring hiking trails through forests and prairies to a beach, a picnic area and a tower.

under a mile away

Powder Hill Observation Tower

4.9 ★★★★★ 89 reviews

Slinger, WI

Natural surfaceScenic

Steep destination with an observation tower offering scenic views of forests and a lake.

under a mile away

Kettle Moraine State Forest- Pike Lake Unit

4.7 ★★★★★ 562 reviews

Hartford, WI

Crushed gravelScenicDog-friendly

Forested park with hiking trails through glacial hills & valleys plus swimming, camping & fishing.

under a mile away

under a mile away

Independence Park

4.3 ★★★★☆ 189 reviews

Hartford, WI

ShadedDog-friendly

2.3 miles away

Willowbrook Park

4.6 ★★★★★ 228 reviews

Hartford, WI

Natural surfaceScenic

Park with a basketball court, a playground, picnic tables, and BBQ grills, plus a river.

2.3 miles away

All running trails in Hartford, WI →

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.