This year, more than ever, families are asking:
What can we do outside or in the outdoors?
After a spring of doing our part to stay at home, people are itching to get outside and do fun outdoor things. However, many of our beloved fall events have been cancelled due to safety concerns and the logistics concerning them and the planning process (fall festivals, the zoo Spooktacular and more). However, there are still lots of way to have fun outside and be socially or physically distant.
Although many events have been cancelled, postponed or modified, one thing will NEVER close:
NATURE IS ALWAYS OPEN
We hope that this guide inspires you to get outside this fall and enjoy nature, outdoors, family and this beautiful area we live in. Personally, we are going to try out more Kayak locations, corn mazes and some of the County parks that we’ve never been to.
Please thank our guide sponsor:
lake country pediatrics
Lake Country Pediatrics, S.C. provides quality medical care to families in our community. With greater than 60 years of pediatric office experience, our providers are accepting patients from birth to late adolescence. Our independent practice is based on providing customized, quality care for your family. We base our brand of medicine on the education of patients and families and we empower them to make informed choices toward ultimate health and wellness. We place a strong emphasis on preventative medicine, diet, exercise, wellness and fitness.
Our physicians are on staff at OMH, WMH and Aurora Summit and provide inpatient services at these facilities. We review growth, development and immunizations at each well visit, as we strongly support compliance with American Academy of Pediatrics recommendations. We work closely with all specialists in southeastern Wisconsin and refer to the sub specialists there when needed. We offer home visits* to our newborn patients and have a variety of other office based services including allergy and concussion evaluation/treatment, lactation consultation, and infant massage classes.
We've put together the ultimate guide to an outdoor fall with 10 ideas for outside fun for 2020!
There are 16 SE Wisconsin corn mazes that are open this year. They are taking precautions to socially distance attendees, but what’s great is there is so much space!
Take the family and enjoy getting lost (and found) in a corn maze ths fall! You won’t regret getting outdoors.
Click here or the image below for 16 corn mazes:
Even if you don’t own a boat (or have friends who do), there are still many ways to enjoy the Lakes of Lake Country. From fishing to kayaking to renting a boat/kayak/SUP and more – there are tons of ways to have fun on a lake this fall. Fall fishing anyone?
A family favorite event is walking along Pewaukee Beach or around Fowler Lake. Just seeing the water is a great way to spend the day.
Click here or the image below for the Lake Guide to Lake Country:
- Do you own a Kayak but struggle where to put in and enjoy?
- Are you looking for a place to rent Kayaks in the area?
Lake Country Family Fun has you covered with the Kayak Guide to Waukesha County and Lake Country. Yes, you can kayak in fall!
Click here or the image below for the Kayak Guide:
It’s not hard to be socially distant in the vast nature that encompasses Lake Country and the Kettle Moraine. *When hiking in the fall, be mindful of your surroundings if you are near public or private hunting grounds. Wear bright colors. There are paved and non-paved hiking trails. Some local favorite walks/trails include:
- Fowler Lake Loop – Two mile trail around the lake and you’ll be sure to see lots of nature in Oconomowoc
- The Lake Country Recreational Trail – is a great trail for those with strollers.
- Nature Hill Trail in Oconomowoc – is a great trail with and even has some incline in this normally flat area
- Paradise Springs Nature Trail in Eagle – This trail is disability-friendly and has an awesome self-guided tour map you can use here
- Ice Age Trail – Has various segments that are great for hikes with the family including sections including:
- Elm Grove Village Park – has scenice hiking trails around some fishing lakes and a playground along the way
- Emma Carlin Trail – This State Park trial is located in Palmyra and great for wanting to avoid crowds with 3 loop options
- State Parks in Waukesha County with trails:
- Kettle Moraine State Forest – Lapham Peak Unit
- Kettle Moraine State Forest – Mukwonago River Unit
- Kettle Moraine State Forest – Southern Unit (Eagle)
- Ottowa Lake State Park Trails
In fall 2020 – join the Mammoth Hike Challenge!
Celebrate the 40th anniversary of the Ice Age Trail becoming a National Scenic Trail (the official signing took place on October 3, 1980) by joining us for the Mammoth Hike Challenge!
Hike 40 miles on the Ice Age Trail during the month of October 2020 and visit three of our Trail Communities to earn a hiking certificate and a limited-edition patch celebrating the 40th anniversary.
You may hike, walk, run, or backpack – whatever suits your lifestyle – and log your miles over days, weekends, weeks, or one big adventure.
You have the entire month of October to do it!
All abilities. All ages. All welcome.
There are a few things that staying at home this spring led our family to do more, and one of them is Family Bike Rides! The neighborhood may be a great spot to bike, but if you are looking for more options, we’ve got you covered.
Click here or the image below for 8 Biking Trails in Waukesha County & Lake Country:
Local parks are open back up for kids to play on. It’s probably best to bring sanitizer with you to the parks and remind kids not to touch their faces. Are we missing your favorite playground? Tell us and we’ll add it to the guide!
Click here or the image below for the guide to the Best Local Parks here:
Our County Park system is amazing; can I just say that!? There is so much outdoor fun to be had at County parks including:
- Beaches
- Playgrounds
- Golf & Disc Golf
- Picnic Areas
- Hiking
- Biking
- more!
Golf is a great outdoor activity to play outide. Golf can be fun for the WHOLE family because there are golf courses, mini-golf courses, disc golf courses, and driving ranges in our county!
Many golf locations, including mini-golf, are open for the 2020 season with safety precautions and sanitizing in place.
Click here or the image below to view the Waukesha County Golf Guide:
- Camping is open for Waukesha County Park campgrounds starting May 26. View details in the camp section of this County Park guide.
- For State Park camping locations, all campgrounds, day use facilities (shelters and amphitheaters) and marina boat slips are closed through June 7.
- You can always pop up a tent in your living room or backyard for a fun at-home camping experience.
Check out our *NEW* GUIDE TO CAMPING IN AND AROUND WAUKESHA COUNTY BY FAMILYFUNJOY! ARTICLE SERIES:
You can find tons of outdoor fun when you look for it. For example, Sunflower Farms go into September/October around here. They are great for fall mini-sessions (inquire with farm on rules about photography). Pumpkin farms bring excitement as well. Many are open, but may be limiting activities (no corn pits this year, sorry!)
Click here for Sunflower Patchess or here for Pumpkin Farms or the images below.
