12 Snowshoe Trails to Stride this Winter

The winter is slowly creeping in on us in and around the Lake Country area. Our family still likes to try and get out even in the colder months. I have always wanted to get our family out snowshoeing. I have great memories of trekking through the snow as a child in a pair of snowshoes. This year is the year!

To get you started, here are some basic snowshoeing terms to know:

Binding – Device with straps that connects boot to snowshoe
Crampon – A toothed traction device, located on the underside of the snowshoe
Stride – Walking forward on snowshoes with a gait
Breaking Trail – Making tracks through untouched snow\
Note: It is important to note that snowshoeing is never allowed on packed, cross country skiing trails. Don’t be that person 🙂

Here are 12 great Waukesha County snowshoe trails to check out with your family. Don’t forget to share your fun snowshoeing adventures with us on social media! Go Break Trails!

In this guide you will find:

12 SnowShoe Trails in Waukesha County

1. Fox River Park – Waukesha*

Wooded trails with varying difficulty levels.
Park in the lower parking lot.

2. Minooka Park – Waukesha*

Some packed trails for snowshoeing.
Park at Picnic Area #5.

3. Menomonee Park – Menomonee Falls*

Some trails open for snowshoeing.
Park at the Pow Wow Lot, Family Camp Lot or the Picnic Area #2 Lot.

4. Retzer Nature Center – Waukesha*

Snowshoeing is permitted on these trails.
Daily snowshoe rental is also available at Retzer.
Rentals must stay on the Retzer Nature Center Property.
Wooden and aluminum style snowshoes are available for rental,pending conditions.
Rentals open at 8:15 am and must be returned by 4:15 pm.
½ Day (4 Hours) $5.00
Full Day (8 Hours) $9.00
Check if open here.

5. Muskego Park – Muskego*

Some packed trails for snowshoeing.
Park at Picnic Area #4.

6. Nashotah Park- Nashotah*

Packed trails for snowshoeing.
Park at Picnic Areas #1 or #2.

*Snowshoeing is permitted at all Waukesha County Parks with winter hiking trails. Snowshoers are NOT permitted on the packed and tracked cross country ski trails. Check the Waukesha County Parks Alerts page + Snow Conditions report page for status of parks.

7. Emma Carlin Trails – Palmyra

Choose from three trail loops ranging from 2 – 6 miles through the rolling Kettle Moraine.
These trails are a moderate to hard difficulty level.
The Green ( 2 miles) and Orange ( 4 miles) loops are the best options for snowshoers.

8. Lapham Peak – Delafield

The Prairie Trail and a 9 kilometer section of the Ice Age Trail are open to snowshoers and hikers in winter. Snowshoes are NOT allowed on the paved cross-country skiing trails.
There are two paved parking lots with restrooms. The Evergreen parking lot has a heated warming shelter and is the main cross-country ski trailhead for the Man-Made Snow Trail, Meadow Trail, Kettle View Trail, and the Moraine Ridge Trail. The snowshoe trails are accessed from this trailhead.
State Park Fees Apply

9. Scuppernong Springs Trails – Kettle Moraine Southern Unit

Enjoy rolling hills and spring water streams on a hike/snowshoe through Scuppernong Springs.
Trail maps here.
This 1.5-mile trail has moderate hills.
Parking lot is at S59 W36630 Cty Rd ZZ, Dousman 53118.
State Park Sticker required.

10. Lake Country Recreational Trail – Oconomowoc to Waukesha

Snowshoe hiking is permitted on the trail during the winter months. Find out more about this trail here.

11. Glacial Drumlin Trail – Waukesha to Cottage Grove

Snowshoe hiking is permitted on the trail during the winter months. Find out more about this trail here.

12. HAWS Schallock Center for Animals in Delafield

See their Facebook post announcement below:

SnowShoe Trails in Milwaukee County

Havenwoods State Forest- Milwaukee

Various loop trails for snowshoeing.
A total of 6 miles of easy level snowshoe trails.
Snowshoes are available at the nature center to borrow.
Center Hours: Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday 9:00 a.m. – 3 p.m.

Wehr Nature Center – Franklin

Five miles of easy difficulty trail loops within Whitnall Park.
Snowshoes are available for rent at the Whitnall Park Club House for $15/day.

Where to buy Snowshoes locally

Sherper’s – Oconomowoc
REI – Brookfield
Dick’s Sporting Goods – Brookfield
Dunham’s – Brookfield
Les Mois – Brookfield
Costco – Pewaukee / New Berlin
Bicycle Doctor Nordic Ski Shop – Dousman
VéloCity Cycling – Pewaukee
Sierra Trading Post – Brookfield and Delafield

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