Wisconsin has a number of trails with minimal obstacles. Some are very easy and others are wheelchair accessible. Here are just a few of them.
These links were found through Internet search. I would love to have some first-hand recommendations. With your help, we can share our knowledge with disabled people everywhere and also increase awareness of the need for more accessibility. Please e-mail me with your suggestions using the form in the sidebar.
Federal
State
Local
Private
Miscellaneous
Federal
Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest
Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest covers more than 1.5 million acres of Wisconsin’s northwoods, forest landscapes and abundant wetlands”…northern hardwood, pine, and hemlock forests where some trees are over 400 years old. You can stop off to wade in Butternut Lake or contemplate a beautiful lake vista from a bench under huge hemlock trees. The boardwalk across the bog offers a chance to see many varieties of bog plants up close.”
Here is the Forest website. Phone 715-362-1300
Note that the “easy” trails listed below may have obstacles for you. Be sure to call the Ranger District for more information. Links to Maps
Eagle Lake-Franklin District Phone 715-479-2827
Franklin Nature Trail 1 mile, easy, mostly flat dirt path with “occasional” rocks and roots. It includes a 400′ long boardwalk through a tamarack bog. Trail Guide Trail Map
Assessor’s Interpretive Trail 1 mile “deep woods experience”Luna – White Deer Trail 4 miles along the shorelines of Luna and White Deer Lakes
Perch Lake Trail 1.33 mile around Perch Lake.Scott Lake Trail 0.5 mile through a “towering stand of white pines and hemlocks about 300 years old and follows the wetland around Scott Lake. ”Spectacle – Kentuck Lake Trail 2.5 miles one way
Great Divide Ranger District Phone 715-264-2511 or 715-634-4821
? Forest Lodge Nature Trail 3.5 mile interpretive trail. “…about 4 feet wide in the field but narrows to about 2 feet wide and has a somewhat rough tread in the woods.”
Morgan Falls Trail 1.2 miles round trip This trail was reconstructed in 2002 to make it accessible, but it is currently closed due to storm damage.Lakewood-Laona Ranger District Phone 715-276-6333
Halley Creek Bird Trail 1 mile birding trail through four habitats.Medford – Park Falls District Phone 715-748-4875 or 715-762-2461
Aldo Leopold Trail 1.2 mile “…self-guided, non-motorized nature trail, located along an esker near the Mondeaux Dam Lodge, helps to outline Aldo Leopold’s conservation ethics and his legacy. ”
Newman Springs Trail 7 miles “…non-motorized trails, with a variety of vegetation types and water with two spring ponds and two creek crossings. …..Hiking is pretty easy in that much of the hikeable trail follows old logging roads.”
? Drummond Woods Trail 0.75 mile. “The trail is relatively flat and easy to hike. The trail traverses through a northern hardwood forest and is a wonderful short hike for those who wish to see fall colors but don’t want to go a long distance.”Horicon National Wildlife Refuge
“At over 33,000 acres in size, Horicon Marsh is one of the largest freshwater marshes in the United States. Recognized as a Wetland of International Importance, as both Globally and State Important Bird Areas and a unit of the Ice Age Scientific Reserve, the marsh provides critical habitat for over 300 species of birds as well as muskrats, red foxes, turtles, frogs, bats, dragonflies, fish and much more.”
Here is the Refuge website. Phone 920-387-2658 Hiking Trails Map & Brochure
Horicon Habitat Hike “This trail is … marked with interpretive signs to introduce visitors to a variety of habitats and common wildlife of the area. A total of 26 signs introduce visitors to woodland, wetland and grassland habitats and their management. This trail offers easy walking and is surfaced with wood chips, mowed grass and gravel.”
Boardwalk is 0.25 miles and accessible.There are several other short loop hikes: Quick’s Point Loop – 1.9 miles, Indermuehle Island Loop – 0.8 miles, and Bachhuber Loop – 2.3 miles “Trails are all of easy grade, and relatively flat but are unsurfaced . Surface material is mowed grass and gravel and is not readily accessible by wheelchair or stroller.”Trempealeau National Wildlife Refuge
The 6,446-acre Trempealeau National Wildlife Refuge lies along the eastern edge of the Mississippi River. “It is an isolated backwater, cut off from the Mississippi and Trempealeau rivers by dikes. It is a resting and feeding area for waterfowl and other birds.”
Here is the Refuge website. Phone 608-539-2311 Map
4.5-mile self-guided Prairie’s Edge Tour Loop which is accessible by bikes, pedestrians and vehicles.
? There are two other short interpretive hiking trails. Call first to be sure they are suitable for your abilities.
State
Amnicon Falls State Park
“Amnicon Falls State Park features a series of delightful waterfalls and rapids along the Amnicon River. You can view them from a covered foot bridge or trails along the river…”
Here is the Park website. Map Phone 715-398-3000 Trail Descriptions Facebook Page
Thimbleberry Nature Trail 0.8 mile “…the place to observe a variety of trees, flowers, non-flowering plants, birds and animals. A side spur leads to a pond, which once was a brownstone quarry. A booklet keyed to numbered signposts tells more about the things you’ll see.”
“The two river walks are relatively flat and easy.”Bearskin State Trail
Phone 715-539-2035 715-536-8773 Map
18.4 mile rail-trail “…a wonderful, shaded ride through a beautiful northwoods forest of pine, spruce, oak, maple, elm, and birch. This scenic trail features: lakes, creeks, natural springs, several spruce/tamarack bogs, and plenty of wildlife. Development along the trail is limited. The grade is mostly flat with one small hill climb. This is a fun, scenic ride suitable for families and folks of all ages.” Wisconsin Trail GuideBig Bay State Park
“Located on Madeline Island, Big Bay State Park has a 1.5-mile beach, a family campground and outdoor group camp, picnic areas, a 1.3-mile boardwalk and more than seven miles of hiking and nature trails with incredible views of Lake Superior.”
Here is the Park website. Phone 715-747-6425 Map Trail Descriptions
Travel Wisconsin.com says the park has “adaptive equipment available for people with mobility impairment including beach wheelchair.”
Lagoon Boardwalk 0.5 mile “….flat, well-marked, accessible boardwalk with wooden benches at several points, interpretive signs and views of Lake Superior. The trail goes through a northern forest of red and white pines on the Big Bay Sand Spit.”
Bay View trail 1.3 mile, Lagoon Ridges trail 2.6 mile, and Point trail, a 1.7 mile loop all sound as if they are pretty easy walking. Call ahead to be sure.Big Foot Beach State Park
“This 271-acre park, on the shore of Geneva Lake, includes a 100-site campground, popular lakeside picnic area and miles of hiking trails. There is a swimming beach with 900 feet of shoreline.”
Here is the Park website. Phone 262-248-2528 Map Trail Descriptions
Yellow Trail 1.2 mile through “…the park’s mixed hardwood landscape and the woodland birds and animals who call it home.” Four of the seven trails at this park are described as “easy walking for most visitors.” Most of the trail surfaces are mowed grass or natural soil.Blue Mound State Park
“…Blue Mound State Park offers spectacular views and unique geological features. A swimming pool is available in during summer. “
Here is the Park website. Phone 608-437-5711 Map Trail Descriptions
The park has a pool “…equipped with an ADA lift chair for those in need of assistance.”
John Minix trail 1.0 mile loop “offers a gentle meandering jaunt through a dense hardwood forest.”Crex Meadows Wildlife Area
“Crex Meadows Wildlife Area is a 30,000-acre property of wetlands, brush prairies, and forests scattered across a gently rolling landscape.”
Here is the Area website. Phone 715-463-2896 Brochure and Map Some trail descriptions by Rob Bignell
“Handicapped accessible hiking trails include a 540 foot circular trail through Abel Prairie and a 780 foot paved trail from the Education and Visitors Center to a bridge over Dragonfly Pond. Crex also features two handicapped accessible hunting trails.” This is quoted from Wilderness Inquiry’s Accessible Places page.Devil’s Lake State Park
Devil’s Lake offers magnificent views from 500-foot quartzite bluffs overlooking a 360-acre lake.
Here is the Park website. Phone 608-356-8301 Map Trail Descriptions Be sure to check ahead to learn if these trails will be easy for you.
Grottos Trail 0.7 mile “A level gravel trail running along the south face of the East Bluff.”
Roznos Meadow Trail The whole trail is 1.8 miles, but you may just want to walk to the view of a glacial terminal moraine.
Steinke Basin Loop Trail 2.4 miles ” level and easy, partly grassy, partly wooded path…..”Harrington Beach State Park
“Harrington Beach State Park has more than a mile of beach along Lake Michigan. This 715-acre park also features a white cedar and hardwood swamp, old field grasslands with restored wetland ponds and a scenic limestone quarry lake.”
Here is the Park website. Phone 262-285-3015 Map Trail Descriptions
Quarry Lake Hiking Trail 0.75 circles Quarry Lake “The deep, serene waters of the 26-acre lake are surrounded by limestone ledges lined with white cedar trees.”
? “The shuttle bus trail also offers an excellent way for people with disabilities to see the woods and its wildlife.” This does not say “accessible” but it sounds like it. Call to inquire.
? White Cedar nature trail 0.5 mi., Meadowlark trail 0.25 mi., Lakeview Trail 0.75 mi., Whitetail Trail 0.5 mi., Hardwood Swamp Trail 0.25 mi., and Bobolink Loop Trail 0.5 mi. all are short and sound pretty easy but you should check with the Park to be sure.High Cliff State Park
High Cliff State Park on Lake Winnebago, gets its name from the limestone cliff of the Niagara Escarpment, which parallels the eastern shore of Lake Winnebago.
Here is the Park website. Phone 920-989-1106 Map Trail Descriptions
Butterfly Pond Trail 0.4 mile loop and 0.7 mile loop. “…paved for accessibility and features wetland, prairie and forest ecosystems.”
? Indian Mound Trail 0.6 mile is a self-guided, limestone-surfaced interpretive trail which “showcases effigy mounds built by Native Americans 1,500 years ago. ” Hiking Project calls it Easy/Intermediate. Check with the park to see if it is really easy enough for you.Kettle Moraine State Forest – Northern Unit
“The Kettle Moraine Northern Unit is comprised of about 30,000 acres stretching 30 miles across Sheboygan, Fond du Lac and Washington Counties. The forest is managed for multiple use, including recreation management, sustainable forest products, water quality and soil protection, terrestrial and aquatic wildlife, native biological diversity and aesthetics.”
Here is the website for the Northern Unit.
Map Phones: Mauthe Lake Recreation Area 262-626-4305, Long Lake Recreation Area 920-533-8612 Trail Descriptions
Moraine Nature Trail 0.75 Best to check at the Ice Age Visitor Center 920-533-8322 to be sure this self-guided trail is easy enough for you. Brochure
Spruce Lake Bog Trail 0.25 mile “easy boardwalk trail … through a unique open-lake bog community to Spruce Lake. … one can expect to see sundews, pitcher plants and other rare plant species.”Kettle Moraine State Forest – Southern Unit
“More than 22,000 acres of glacial hills, kettles, lakes, prairie restoration sites, pine woods and hardwood forests can be found in the Southern Unit…”
Here is the website for the Southern Unit. Phone 262-594-6200 Map Trail Descriptions
The Paradise Springs Nature Trail, 0.5 miles long. BrochureRice Lake Nature Trail 0.5 mile. Trail Guide “Walk along the edge of a small pond, hear frogs in the spring, visit the wildlife blind.” This one sounds easy, but better call ahead to be sure.Kettle Moraine State Forest – Pike Lake Unit
“The Pike Lake Unit of the Kettle Moraine State Forest is in the middle of the Kettle Moraine, a strip of glacial landforms which extends through southeastern Wisconsin to Lake Winnebago. The forest is named after the 522-acre, spring-fed kettle: Pike Lake”
Here is the Forest website. Phone 262-670-3400 Map Trail Descriptions
Boardwalk Trail 0.5 miles along the lakeshore near the north picnic area.Kohler-Andrae State Park
“Kohler-Andrae State Park in Sheboygan, Wisconsin, is the home of majestic sand dunes, miles of golden beach, shimmering blue Lake Michigan water, whispering pines, and an abundance of wildlife….”
Here is the Park website. Phone 920-451-4080 Map Trail Descriptions
Black River Marsh Boardwalk 0.25 mile “…features wetland plants and waterfowl. Signs explain the importance of wetlands.”
Woodland Dunes Nature Trail 1.0 mile “Signs describe the trees of this forested dune area.”
Fishing Pond Trail .30 mile is flat and has a crushed limestone surface and many benches for resting.
? Creeping Juniper Nature Trail 0.5 mile and Marsh Trail 0.5 mile sound as if they may be easy, but you should check first.Lake Kegonsa State Park
Lake Kegonsa State Park lies beside a glacier-hewed lake which encompasses 3,209 acres and has excellent fishing. Park visitors enjoy more than five miles of hiking trails along the lake and through prairie, forest and marsh habitats.
Here is the Park website. Phone 608-873-9695 Map Trail Descriptions
Prairie Trail 1.3 miles “The prairie plants are spectacular in the summer. This trail is wonderful for prairie enthusiasts and birders.”
White Oak Nature Trail 1.2 miles “….with it’s stately oaks and diverse habitats, gently winds through the 80-acre white oak woods. … It features 14 stops, each containing interesting information about the woods and the surrounding areas.”Mill Bluff State Park
This 1337 acre state park protects tall sandstone buttes that were sea stacks in Glacial Lake Wisconsin during the Ice Age, 12,000 years ago.
Here is the Park website. Phone 608-427-6692 (summer) 608-337-4775 (off-season) Map Trail Descriptions
Nature Trail 0.4 mile “Hikers will learn about wildlife, trees, wildflowers and geology. Part of this trail is accessible for people with disabilities.”Mirror Lake State Park
“Mirror lake reflects a wooded shoreline with cliffs up to 50 feet high, a swimming beach and wetlands that are home to a variety of wildlife.”
Here is the Park website. Phone 608-254-2333 Map Trail Descriptions
? There are seven trails rated as “easy” on the map. Be sure to check ahead to be sure that their easy doesn’t include obstacles such as stairs or roots and rocks that would be too difficult for you. The easy trails are Lakeview Trail 0.2 mi., Kilbourne Trail 0.8 mi., Fern Dell Trail 3 mi., Wild Rice Trail 0.6 mi., and Pulpit Rock Trail 0.7 mi.
Echo Rock Trail 0.6 mile pavedNorthern Highland American Legion State Forest
This more than 232,000 acre State Forest protects the headwaters of the Wisconsin, Flambeau and Manitowish rivers in northern Wisconsin.
Here is the Forest website. Phone 715-356-3668 or 715-542-3923 Map Trail Descriptions
Tom Roberts Nature Trail 0.55 mile This paved “….loop ambles through a mixed coniferous-deciduous forest of balsam, red pine, white pine, sugar maple, white birch and large-toothed and trembling aspen. The overlooks offer beautiful views of Muskellunge Lake. It’s an ideal spot to look for spring flowers and birds. Also keep an eye out for deer, ruffed grouse, coyote tracks and fisher tracks.”
? North Trout Nature Trail 1 mile. “…one of our easiest nature trails to hike. This trail is a 1-mile loop trail that meanders around a mature black spruce-tamarack bog. The trail also winds its way along the Trout Lake shoreline, offering a beautiful view of the lake. This is a wonderful trail to hike in spring because of the abundance of wildflowers. Watch for the moccasin flower, trailing arbutus, Canadian mayflower, start flower, blueberry and barren strawberry.” Call ahead to be sure it is easy enough for you.Peninsula State Park
Peninsula State Park offers a sand beach, bike trails, a lighthouse and eight miles of Door County shoreline as well as other amenities such as a campground and 18 hole golf course.
Here is the Park website. Phone 920-868-3258 Map Trail Descriptions Although the website does give ratings of some trails as “easy”, it is still wise to check ahead to be sure they are free of obstacles that could hinder you, given your abilities.
Sunset Bike Route 9.6 miles. “The trail traverses Weborg Marsh, cedar and maple trees and cliff communities.”
Sentinel Trail 2.0 miles loop “Trail signs interpret forest ecology. A .6-mile portion of the trail is graveled to facilitate mobility.”
Minnehaha Trail 0.7 mi. one way lakeshoreTrail Tramper’s Delight 0.5 mi. one wayWhite Cedar Nature Trail 0.5 mi. loopRed Cedar State Trail Phone 715-232-1242 Map
14.5 miles “shadows the steep walls of the Red Cedar Valley from Menomonie to its connection with the [paved 30 mile] Chippewa River State Trail. ….. The trail passes by prairies, marshland bottoms, forests and farmlands, including sandstone bluffs and other unique rock formations.” Calvin Kunkle writes that “The Red Cedar Trail is wheelchair accessible and there are ramps or on grade approaches from all the trail parking areas. There may be times when the trail is soft and wet that would make it difficult to use a wheelchair though. Many of our state trails are paved or covered in limestone screenings that make a hardened surface for wheel chair use.”Rib Mountain State Park
Rib Mountain, is a four mile-long ridge of ancient rock dating back about 1.7 billion years. It is among the oldest geological features on earth. Rib Mountain State Park is a premier day-use facility with picnicking, hiking trails ….”
Here is the Park website. Phone 715-842-2522 Map Trail Descriptions
“There are more than 13 miles of hiking trails at Rib Mountain, with over eight miles accessible to people with disabilities.” That is all the information given, so call ahead to learn which trails are accessible or easy.Roche-A-Cri State Park
“Roche-A-Cri State Park, established in 1948, protects a 300-foot-high rock outcropping and Native American petroglyphs and pictographs..”
Here is the Park website. Phone 608-339-6881 (summer) 608-565-2789 (off-season) Map Trail Descriptions
Chickadee Rock trail 0.3 mile “…follows a game path through oaks and jack pines. There are six interpretive signs along the trail. Blueberry and huckleberry bushes and various ferns grow along the trail.”
? Spring Peeper Trail 0.25 mile May be closed during high water.? Turkey Vulture Trail 0.9 mile Sounds easy, but check first.Schmeeckle Reserve
Schmeeckle Reserve is a 280-acre conservancy area on the campus of UW-Stevens Point, set aside to protect natural communities of central Wisconsin.
“Nearly 5 miles of trails meander through Schmeeckle Reserve. Most trails are surfaced with soft woodchips, creating a quiet and peaceful walk. Extensive boardwalks have been constructed over wetland areas. Rustic benches are scattered throughout the trail system.” Some of these trails sound like easy walking, but check with the Visitor Center first.
Here is the Reserve website. Phone 715-346-4992 Trail Map Trail Descriptions
Trail of Reflections 0.5 mile loop starts and ends at the Visitor CenterWildcat Mountain State Park
“On a steep ridge overlooking the scenic Kickapoo River Valley, Wildcat Mountain State Park offers hiking trails with spectacular views…”
Here is the Park website. Phone 608-337-4775 Map Trail Descriptions
Prairie Trail 925 feet “…winds…through a patch of re-established prairie. While in the prairie, surrounded by big bluestem grass and wildflowers, visitors can view the breathtaking Kickapoo Valley.”Willow River State Park
“With nearly 3,000 acres of prairie, forests and panoramic river scenery, Willow River State Park offers year-round recreation opportunities in western Wisconsin. The park is about five miles northeast of Hudson.”
Here is the Park website. Phone 715-386-5931 Map Trail Descriptions There are several other short trails that might be easy for you, but call ahead to be sure.
Hidden Ponds Nature Trail 0.5 mile “…goes through oak forest and wetlands. Located behind the Nature Center, this is an excellent trail to observe white-tail deer and birds. Trail guides are available at the beginning of the trail…”
Trout Brook Trail 1.4 mile loop “fairly level and easy to walk” Little Falls Trail 0.7 mile paved and roller blades allowed.Wisconsin State Trails There are 41 state trails, most of which are rail/trails. See the post below under Miscellaneous for the link to descriptions of these trails.
Local
Brunet Island State Park
“Brunet Island State Park, on the Chippewa and Fisher rivers, offers more than 1,300 acres of scenic beauty, wildlife and recreational opportunities. Quiet lagoons and channels are excellent for canoeing and wildlife watching.”
Here is the Park website. Phone 715-239-6888 Map Trail Descriptions
Jean Brunet Nature Trail 0.8 mile self-guided trail. “A 500-foot segment of the trail is paved for handicap accessibility, with a cul-de-sac and table provided at the end for fishing and picnicking.”Calumet County
Here is the Calumet County Parks website.
Disability Guide “Calumet Cares lists information on tourism attractions and various recreational activities which welcome and make provisions for visitors with physical, visual and cognitive impairments.”
Ledge View Nature Center is 105 acres of wooded ledges and open prairie including hiking trails, a 60-foot observation tower … and a nature center staffed full-time by a county naturalist and assistants. Caves and quarry are featured prominently in programs at Ledge View, but are not accessible or even easy. However visitors can enjoy an arboretum, interactive exhibits, and check out the flowers in the rain, butterfly, and hummingbird gardens. Call to learn if these gardens can be used with a wheelchair. Phone 920-849-7094
Ledge View Forest Loop is a 1.9 mile gravel loop trail described by All Trails as “good for all skill levels”.City & County of Milwaukee
Milwaukee has a ton of trails, many of them paved.
Milwaukee County Parks has the 43-mile “Forked Aster Trail System” connecting 28 parks. The trails pass through diverse woodlands, wetlands, and prairies in the Park System’s 9,200 acres of natural areas. Call Parks to learn more about which parks have trails suitable for your abilities.
Milwaukee County Parks Phone 414-257-7275 Links to Maps of County Parks
Accessibility in Milwaukee Parks. TrailLink lists 47 walking trails around Milwaukee!
There are accessible piers at Holler Park and Scout Lake Park, or you can fish along the seawall at Veterans Park.
Wehr Nature Center Phone 414-425-8550 Map Another Map 220 acres and 5 miles of trails going through forest, prairie, savanna, and wetland. There is an accessible boardwalk to a deck on the lake.
Oak Leaf Trail 125 miles. Although largely an urban trail, quite a bit of it runs along the shores of Lake Michigan. The trail system is mostly smooth asphalt. Map
Bugline Trail 15.6 mile asphalt rail/trail? Cudahy Nature Preserve
Cudahy Nature Preserve is an “outstanding example of the hardwood forests that once covered most of Milwaukee County” Phone 414-257-6521 Trails Greenfield Park 1.2 mile “paved loop featuring a lake with opportunities to see wildlife along your walk.”
? Bender Park Beach on Lake Michigan shoreline. Description in TripAdvisor. Phone 414-762-1550 MapBoerner Botanical Gardens
“Ramps throughout the Botanical Gardens take you to colorful and fragrant displays in 12 garden spaces.
Phone 414-525-5600 MapCity of Kaukauna
Here is Kaukauna Recreation Department’s website.
1000 Islands Environmental Center Phone 920-766-4733 Trails Map
One reviewer says that many of these trails are good with strollers another says no. Give them a call to get a better idea of the ease (or not) of these trails.
Black Top Loop Trail 0.75 mile? Valley Trail from Nature Center 1.7 miles round trip. This trail is described as hilly on one website and “suitable for all skill levels” on another.Outagamie County
Outagamie County maintains the Mosquito Nature Center on 441 acres adjacent to the Wolf River.
Here is the County Parks website. Parks Phone 920-832-4791
Mosquito Hill Nature Center Phone 920-779-6433 Brochure Trail System
All People’s Trail 0.6 mile one-way “…winds along forest edge, past Frog Pond, through a 12-acre prairie planting and ends at Oxbow Pond. ”
Landscaping for Wildlife Trail 0.14 mile “…leads around the main parking lot through the nature center’s Landscaping for Wildlife Demonstration Area.”
Stone Bridge Trail Map from AllTrails.com a 3.9 mile loop. “…paved trail winds through a wooded area and connects to a network of trails in the Town of Grand Chute.” I am finding contradictory information about this trail. Better call Outagamie Parks for help: 920-832-4791.Waukesha County
“The Nature Center focuses on environmental education, natural land management, community restoration, and wildlife habitat improvement. Today, restored prairies, a butterfly & rain garden, and an oak opening demonstration area greet visitors and compliment the Retzer’s original homestead. “
Here is the County Parks and Recreation website.
Retzer Nature Center Phone 262-896-8007 Trails Map
Adventure Trail 0.15 mi. “The award winning Adventure Trail provides the opportunity to use one’s sense of sight, sound, smell, and touch in discovering the wonders of nature. Native Wisconsin plants, birds, and animals are highlighted …… Raised bumps on the handrail encircling the trail mark the location of 30 interpreting Braille and raised letter signs. Printed guides and audio cassettes available at the nature center desk also explain the 30 special features.”
? There are other short trails which may be easy walking. They include the Nature Trail Loop, Fen Boardwalk Trail, and Prairie Vista Trail. Call to learn if they are easy enough for your abilities.
Private
Brillion Nature Center
The Brillion Nature Center has nearly 7 miles of hiking/snowshoe trails through prairie, marsh and woodland habitats and has a picnic area with wheelchair accessible tables. “The facility also caters to the elderly and has programming specific to senior citizens from an assisted living environment.”
Here is the Center website. Phone 920-756-3591 Trail Map
“An electric golf cart is available to transport participants with low mobility when using the trails (please call ahead to reserve the cart).
Cottonwood Trail 0.6 milesMarsh Platform Trail Length not given, but it looks on map as if a little over 1/2 mile.Carpenter St. Croix Valley Nature Center
The 425 acre Carpenter St. Croix Valley Nature Center is at at the confluence of the St. Croix and Mississippi Rivers near Hastings. The nature center has two campuses: Minnesota Campus Trail Map Wisconsin Campus Trail Map Admission is free. Here is their website . Phone 651-437-4359 Here is a page of trail descriptions. They sound easy and Explore Minnesota describes the center as “accessible to the disabled.”
Savannah trail 1 mile paved “through several habitats including a grassland, a deciduous forest, an oak savanna, and an apple orchard. Visit the Ravine Lookout & the River Overlook.”
North Loop trail 1 mile paved circles an old plantation.Big Bluestem Trail 1.25 miles “easy stroll” that circles a restored prairie.Maywood
Ellwood H. May Environmental Park, called Maywood, is supported through the Environmental Park Trust of Sheboygan County. support comes from private donations, grants, bequests, and annual fund raising events.
Maywood offers six diverse ecosystems, an Arboretum, and a butterfly & hummingbird garden on its 135-acres.
Here is Maywood’s website. Phone 920-459-3906 Trail Map
Accessible Trail 0.5 mile “… limestone chipped loop through the maple forest that is wheel chair accessible.”North Lakeland Discovery Center
North Lakeland Discovery Center has a 12-mile trail system open from dawn to dusk. “The terrain is gentle and winds through the woods, along the lake, bog and nearby Manitowish River allowing you to explore a variety of habitats each with their own unique plants and animals. ”
Here is the Center website. Phone 877-543-2085 Trail Map
The Center has a number of short trails, including the 0.5+ Interpretive trail and the 0.4 Bog Boardwalk. Emily Anna, Naturalist/Program Volunteer Coordinator, writes that, “Our trails are relatively flat, however I would not say that they are totally wheelchair accessible. They are hard-packed dirt. The Interpretive trail is the most flat, but it is quite narrow in some spaces, so it would be challenging for a wheelchair to make it through. For someone walking, the Interpretive Trail is gentle and flat with very minimal tree roots and rocks. I don’t think there would be any issues for an elderly person without a wheelchair.”Riveredge Nature Center
A visitor to Riveredge will find a “diverse and beautiful landscape to wander on foot, on skis or snowshoes. Our 379-acre sanctuary has ten miles of trails around ponds and fens, through woodlands and prairies, and along the Milwaukee River.”
Here is the Center website. Brochure & Map Phone 262-375-2715
Riveredge has a Track Chair, which can be checked out for use at Riveredge Nature Center, but it can also be used offsite as well.
Larsen Prairie Loop 0.75 mileMayapple Loop 0.75 mileRiver Walk 1 mile There are tree roots on this trail, which may be a difficulty for you.Schlitz Audubon Nature Center
This Milwaukee birding hotspot has six miles of trails through forests, prairies, wetlands, and the Lake Michigan shoreline.
Phone 414-352-2880 Trail Map
Green Tree Accessible Loop 0.26 mileMystery Lake Boardwalk.
There are other short trails at the center. Give them a call to learn if they are easy enough for you.Woodland Dunes Nature Center & Preserve
“Woodland Dunes Nature Center and Preserve contains over 1,500 acres of hardwood & conifer forests, wetlands, and prairies located between Two Rivers and Manitowoc Wisconsin with 7 miles of hiking trails to enjoy.”
Here is the Preserve website. Trail Descriptions Phone 920-793-4007
Yellow Birch Trail 0.3 mile “…boardwalk takes visitors through woods and wetland where many unusual birds, amphibians and plants can be seen.”
Cattail Trail 0.3 mile “…The whole family will enjoy this boardwalk that meanders through a shrub swamp, a sedge meadow and a cattail marsh where birds and wetland animals live or visit.” You might want to call ahead to be sure this is easy enough for your abilities.
Miscellaneous
Access Ability Wisconsin™ is a non-profit organization dedicated to facilitating and providing the means for individuals with mobility challenges to access and enjoy Wisconsin ‘s natural resources.
Nature For The Blind has a directory of Braille trails for almost every state in the US and for many other countries.
The Rails-to-Trails Conservancy lists over 75 wheelchair accessible trails in Wisconsin.