nature hill nature center - oconomowoc, wi
I ventured out to Oconomowoc recently to hike the trails at Nature Hill Nature Center. The preserve is owned by the Oconomowoc Area School District, and is located next to Nature Hill Intermediate School. It is used by the school for outdoor/ecology education, and available to the public for trail hiking. The preserve includes prairie, forest, and some marsh area in its terrain. The forested trails, in particular, I found very lovely. With the advent of spring and summer the prairie soon will be. Rosenow Creek winds its way through the preserve, and is exceptionally scenic at the entrance to the walking trails.
There are three marked trails here to hike. The longest trail is the Red trail, which follows the perimeter of the preserve, and winds through prairie, past the Harvey Anderson Amphitheater, and through the forest. Some trails are steeper than others, but the inclines are mostly gradual. The Red trail is 1.2 miles long, and loops back to the beginning of the trail. The Blue trail, inset from the perimeter, is a .8 mile long loop. The Green trail, is the smallest looped trail at .6 miles, but is the shortest, steepest incline. The steepness of the hill along the Green trail, from the top, looks to be a great sledding hill in winter.
It's a good birdwatching spot. I saw and heard several birds as I hiked the trails here. American Goldfinch, Blue Jay, Song Sparrow, American Robins, and Turkey Vultures soaring overhead. More to come, certainly, as spring migration continues. Dog walking seems to be a popular activity here as well.
Near the entrance of the preserve, just to the right of the parking lot, is a short trail to a fitness circuit, with various outdoor fitness equipment available for use. There are no restroom facilities on site.
Location: The parking lot is at the corner of N. Lapham Street and Parkview Drive, behind the Nature Hill Intermediate School.
The parking lot holds, maybe, 8 vehicles. Oconomowoc, WI (Waukesha County)
For viewing on Google maps, click here.
There are three marked trails here to hike. The longest trail is the Red trail, which follows the perimeter of the preserve, and winds through prairie, past the Harvey Anderson Amphitheater, and through the forest. Some trails are steeper than others, but the inclines are mostly gradual. The Red trail is 1.2 miles long, and loops back to the beginning of the trail. The Blue trail, inset from the perimeter, is a .8 mile long loop. The Green trail, is the smallest looped trail at .6 miles, but is the shortest, steepest incline. The steepness of the hill along the Green trail, from the top, looks to be a great sledding hill in winter.
It's a good birdwatching spot. I saw and heard several birds as I hiked the trails here. American Goldfinch, Blue Jay, Song Sparrow, American Robins, and Turkey Vultures soaring overhead. More to come, certainly, as spring migration continues. Dog walking seems to be a popular activity here as well.
Near the entrance of the preserve, just to the right of the parking lot, is a short trail to a fitness circuit, with various outdoor fitness equipment available for use. There are no restroom facilities on site.
Location: The parking lot is at the corner of N. Lapham Street and Parkview Drive, behind the Nature Hill Intermediate School.
The parking lot holds, maybe, 8 vehicles. Oconomowoc, WI (Waukesha County)
For viewing on Google maps, click here.