HomeWisconsinSlinger › Powder Hill Observation Tower

Powder Hill Observation Tower

4.9 ★★★★★ 89 Google reviews · Running trail in Slinger, Wisconsin · Posted hours

Runner's snapshot

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

Confirmed from Powder Hill Observation Tower'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.

Natural surfaceScenicHilly

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

What runners say about Powder Hill Observation Tower

Pulled from public reviews of this trail (89 of them) — the things people bring up again and again, in their own words. Nothing here is written by us.

🏞️ beautiful scenery 12 mentions

“Great view point offering sweeping views of the Pike Lake, and the Kettle Moraine countryside, including views of the Holy Hill towers on a clear day.”

👟 good for all levels 3 mentions

“Steep gradients at times during the hike, but easy trail overall.”

Well, let's just say I worked off my lunch and bit the dust on our way back from hitting the trail for a geocache. We challenged our leg strength and climbed the tower to get a better view of the land before heading back to the car. Beautiful day but really muddy trail.

★★★★★ — Michelle , Mar 2019

A nice blend of various length trails with hardwood forest, small forest ponds, kettles to walk around and over, and the climb up the tower for a wonderful view of the county around you. Be aware that the trails can be muddy and slick.

★★★★★ — Roger , Dec 2019

Great park to go walk the puppies at. Also a great holiday my trail for a couples date. They have a super tall widen toweryou are able to climbup Andover look the park and a small lake! Definitely worth the visit. There is a parking charge of 5 dollars an hour or 8 for the day!

★★★★★ — Jb , Aug 2019

Trail was steep at times. Over 100 steps to climb, but so worth it. Truly a beautiful green place where the wind talks in the treetops!

★★★★★ — Karen , Jun 2025

Excerpts from public Google reviews. Read all 89 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 22 mentions

“Great view point offering sweeping views of the Pike Lake, and the Kettle Moraine countryside, including views of the Holy Hill towers on a clear day.”

More trails like this →

⛰️ Hills / elevation 13 mentions

“Great view point offering sweeping views of the Pike Lake, and the Kettle Moraine countryside, including views of the Holy Hill towers on a clear day.”

More trails like this →

🌲 Natural surface / singletrack 2 mentions

“Be aware that the trails can be muddy and slick.”

More trails like this →

Plan your run at Powder Hill Observation Tower

The practical stuff

  • AccessPosted hours — posted hours below; park gates sometimes close earlier than the listing says
  • SurfaceNatural surface — easiest on the joints and the most fun, but expect roots, rocks and mud after rain
  • 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.
  • 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 Powder Hill Observation Tower

Slinger, Wisconsin

Get directions

Running trails near Slinger

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

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

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

Pike Lake Beach

4.7 ★★★★★ 232 reviews

Hartford, WI

ScenicDog-friendly

Lake with hiking trails and beaches for swimming.

under a mile away

under a mile away

Heritage Trails County Park

4.6 ★★★★★ 107 reviews

Slinger, WI

Scenic

Park for hiking and biking with a playground, BBQs, disc golf course and more.

2.5 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.

2.9 miles away

All running trails in Slinger, 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.