hobbs woods nature area - fond du lac, wi
I first heard about Hobbs Woods this past summer, from someone I crossed paths with at the Greenway Arboretum in Fond du Lac. Hearing their great review, I decided to put it on my upcoming hike list. We recently made the trek back to Fond du Lac to hike the trails, and we were not disappointed. What a beautiful place to hike and enjoy the fall colors along Parsons Creek and the surrounding woodland trails.
Hobbs Woods is a 60-acre Fond du Lac County park and nature area about three miles south of the city. The parks origins start back in 1975, when it was named for Charles Hobbs, the last landowner of the property. The Winnebago Conservation Alliance facilitated the purchase of the property. Since that time, the trail system has been in development by local volunteers, the Youth Conservation Corp, and the Fond du Lac County Audubon Society.
There are approximately three miles of trails that wind through the woodlands, creek, and surrounding prairie. The outer trails are mostly easy going, but the inner trails, that wind along the path of Parsons Creek are a little trickier to maneuver, mainly due to mud, creek runoff, and a few steep dips in the terrain. Your boots will get muddy and wet, but it's manageable. At times the inner path is harder to pick out than the main trail. There are a lot of very steep paths downhill from the top outer trails. I'm pretty certain these are not true trails, and I myself would not take them. It also looks to be causing some damage to the terrain on the hill. So be forewarned.
There are multiple boardwalks and a bridge along the way that pass over the creek, and provide some truly scenic views in all directions. The creek itself curves along, flowing over large rocks, past fallen tree trunks, and was decorated with colorful autumn leaves. Once known as a prime local destination for trout anglers, work is being done to restore trout to this precious resource. Water that seeps from local Niagara Escarpment Ledge rock feeds the creek. The Escarpment, even the parts of it that are not visible, are found throughout Fond du Lac County.
As we walked the trails, squirrels and chipmunks scurried about. Woodpeckers could be heard working on away on nearby trees, smaller birds flitting from tree branches to brush. I'm nearly certain we heard a pair of Pileated Woodpeckers calling to each other somewhere in the woods, though we did not see them. Whether or not they really were there, I can see why Hobbs Woods would be a great bird watching spot. In addition to hiking the trails, cross-county skiing is a popular recreation during the winter months.
A new main parking lot replaces a smaller original lot just past a bank of trees. The original lot currently includes signage, picnic tables, and a portable restroom. There is plenty of parking in the new lot, along with a newer boardwalk entrance to the trails.
Open Daily, Year-round from 6am - 10pm.
Dogs are permitted on-leash. Owners must clean up after pets.
Location: N4197 Hickory Road, Fond du Lac, WI (Fond du Lac County)
For more information, click here. View a trail map here.
Hobbs Woods is a 60-acre Fond du Lac County park and nature area about three miles south of the city. The parks origins start back in 1975, when it was named for Charles Hobbs, the last landowner of the property. The Winnebago Conservation Alliance facilitated the purchase of the property. Since that time, the trail system has been in development by local volunteers, the Youth Conservation Corp, and the Fond du Lac County Audubon Society.
There are approximately three miles of trails that wind through the woodlands, creek, and surrounding prairie. The outer trails are mostly easy going, but the inner trails, that wind along the path of Parsons Creek are a little trickier to maneuver, mainly due to mud, creek runoff, and a few steep dips in the terrain. Your boots will get muddy and wet, but it's manageable. At times the inner path is harder to pick out than the main trail. There are a lot of very steep paths downhill from the top outer trails. I'm pretty certain these are not true trails, and I myself would not take them. It also looks to be causing some damage to the terrain on the hill. So be forewarned.
There are multiple boardwalks and a bridge along the way that pass over the creek, and provide some truly scenic views in all directions. The creek itself curves along, flowing over large rocks, past fallen tree trunks, and was decorated with colorful autumn leaves. Once known as a prime local destination for trout anglers, work is being done to restore trout to this precious resource. Water that seeps from local Niagara Escarpment Ledge rock feeds the creek. The Escarpment, even the parts of it that are not visible, are found throughout Fond du Lac County.
As we walked the trails, squirrels and chipmunks scurried about. Woodpeckers could be heard working on away on nearby trees, smaller birds flitting from tree branches to brush. I'm nearly certain we heard a pair of Pileated Woodpeckers calling to each other somewhere in the woods, though we did not see them. Whether or not they really were there, I can see why Hobbs Woods would be a great bird watching spot. In addition to hiking the trails, cross-county skiing is a popular recreation during the winter months.
A new main parking lot replaces a smaller original lot just past a bank of trees. The original lot currently includes signage, picnic tables, and a portable restroom. There is plenty of parking in the new lot, along with a newer boardwalk entrance to the trails.
Open Daily, Year-round from 6am - 10pm.
Dogs are permitted on-leash. Owners must clean up after pets.
Location: N4197 Hickory Road, Fond du Lac, WI (Fond du Lac County)
For more information, click here. View a trail map here.
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