Trails at Peninsula State Park

Select from the list below to learn more about Peninsula's trails. For cross-country skiing, snowshoeing and snowmobiling, see winter recreation.

• Hiking
• Biking
• Off-Road Biking

Biking Trails

Adult and youth bike rentals are available in Fish Creek and at the Nicolet Beach Concession stand.

Sunset Bike Route (9.6 miles): Starting near the Fish Creek entrance to the Park, the fine gravel on the relatively flat Sunset Trail accommodates bicycles, wheelchairs and hikers. The trail traverses Weborg Marsh, cedar and maple trees and cliff communities. The Sunset Bike Route connects to a return route at Nicolet Beach, for four additional miles on the Park's scenic back roads. Remember to use extreme caution on all hills and curves, and always ride single file.

Watch for mile markers along Sunset Bike Route.
DNR Photo

Hidden Bluff is a scenic .75-mile spur of the Sunset Trail providing access to the Nature Center and a shortcut for bicyclists traveling to and from Nicolet Bay.

Off-Road Biking

Off-Road Bike Trails traverse 12 miles of rugged, unsurfaced terrain in the park's interior. Bicyclists who use off-road trails must be equipped and prepared to take on the challenge. State trail passes are required for riders age 16 and older.

Hiking Trails

Do you like to hike? Peninsula provides 20 miles of hiking trails, varying in difficulty, coursing through all areas of the park.

Eagle Trail (2 mile loop). Difficult. Remarkable 150-foot cliffs, springs, and forested terraces make Eagle Trail memorable. Several steep, rocky sections offset a level segment that parallels Eagle Harbor. Trilliums and thimbleberry brighten the trailside, as does less common cranberry vibernum. Access at Eagle Terrace, Eagle Panorama, or Tower.

Take a virtual tour of the Eagle Trail.

Hemlock Trail (1.8 miles, one way). Moderate. Lake iris greets hikers at the edge of a cedar-hemlock forest. Skirt up a low bluff and catch a glimpse of the Strawberry Islands through birch and pine trees. Access near Weborg Campground or Tennison Bay Campground.

Lone Pine Trail (0.5 miles, one way). Moderate. This trail connects to several convenient loops. Ascend a dolostone bluff then hike a forest dominated by beech, maple, and oak trees. Can you spot the solitary white pine, the trail's namesake, now lying on the forest floor? Access at the southeast corner of South Nicolet Campground.

Minnehaha Trail (0.7 miles, one way). Easy. This refreshing lakeshore trail links South Nicolet Bay Campground and Eagle Trail. Access near campsite 844.

Nicolet Bay (2.2 miles, one way). Moderate. Watch for wild turkeys and pileated woodpeckers in a forest of basswood, white ash, and hemlock trees. This trail passes within a quarter mile of Nicolet Beach with convenient access gained from the amphitheater parking lot or Welcker's Campground.

Sentinel Trail (2 mile loop). Easy. Walk past stands of maple, beech, and red pine. Trail signs interpret forest ecology. A .6-mile portion of the trail is graveled to facilitate mobility. Access at Eagle Tower.

Skyline Trail (3 mile loop). Moderate. Climb to Sven's Bluff through rolling terrain. Watch for stone fences and open meadows, which are remnants of long ago farms. Hikers can connect to other trails via Skyline. Access at Skyline parking lot on Shore Road.

Trail Tramper's Delight (0.5 miles, one way). Easy. This trail name originated in the early 1920s when hikers walked from Nicolet Bay to Eagle Bluff Lighthouse. In the hot summer the shaded path provided a cool walk, which was a trail tramper's delight. Access near Eagle Bluff Lighthouse.

Vita Course (1 mile loop). Eleven exercise stations wind through beautiful forest scenery. Stations develop strength, stamina, and coordination for different ability levels. Access at the southwest corner of the amphitheater parking lot.

White Cedar Nature Trail (0.5 mile loop). Easy. Self-guided nature trail teaches about deer ecology. Access at Nature Center.

For more information, ask:

Peninsula State Park
9462 Shore Road
Fish Creek, WI 54212
(920) 868-3258