10 Muskego Park
The hardwood forest in Muskego Park is the subject of state scientific research, and the park’s wetlands give a nice balance to the hike. A sort of open-air museum—or graveyard of the agriculture days—is an interesting distraction along the trail.
Distance: 1.4-mile loop
Approximate hiking time: 30 minutes to 1 hour
Trail surface: Wood chips, packed dirt
Best seasons: Year-round
Other trail users: Equestrians
Canine compatibility: Leashed dogs permitted; you are required to pick up after your pet
Fees and permits: A daily entrance fee is charged, or you can purchase a yearly vehicle sticker.
Schedule: Open from sunrise to 10 p.m. year-round
Maps: USGS Muskego
Trail contact: Muskego Park, S83 W20370 Janesville Rd., Muskego 53150; (262) 679-0310; www.waukeshacountyparks.com
Finding the trailhead: From Milwaukee take I-43 south toward Beloit. Get off at the CR Y/Racine Avenue exit and go left (south) for 2.4 miles. Turn right (southwest) on CR L/Janesville Road, and the park entrance is 1 mile farther on your right (north). Drive straight into the park to picnic area #4 on your right (east). The trailhead is behind the restrooms and handicap parking space. GPS: N42 53.92' / W88 09.86'
The Hike
Another one of Waukesha County’s fine parks, Muskego Park includes a two-acre swimming pond and a twenty-four-site campground. The trees this trail passes through are part of a sixty-acre hardwood preservation area populated primarily by old-growth white and red oaks but also maples, shagbark hickory, walnut, basswood, and, notably, Kentucky coffee tree and blue ash.
From the trailhead go right (south) on the trail loop. Whereas dog owners are obliged to pick up their companions’ droppings, horse riders aren’t. Watch your step.
The next trail, coming in on your right (west), is the bridle trail entrance; keep going straight (south). At 0.3 mile you come to a trail juncture. The path straight ahead is actually the cutoff trail, which curves north and goes straight up through the center of the loop, crossing a similar path that bisects the loop from east to west. At this juncture take the right (south) branch to stay on the outer loop trail.
The trail curls around the south end of the park and on your left (north) you will see wetlands with some open water. At 0.6 mile the trail passes right along the edge of the backyards of local residences. Keep along the brush line and continue to where the trail heads back into the woods. After another 0.1 mile you will pass the second cutoff trail on your left (west). Stay right (northeast). Just around the next bend you’ll start passing through old, rusting hulks of farm equipment and an antique truck.
At 1.3 miles a trail to the right (west) heads out to the park road; stay left (south) to continue on the loop. A couple hundred feet past this trail you will pass the outlet from the east-west cutoff trail on your left (east). The next trail on the right (west) takes you back to the trailhead.
Miles and Directions
0.0Start from the trailhead in picnic area #4.
0.3Take the trail to the right (south) at the juncture with the cutoff trail.
0.6Pass along the edges of some backyards.
0.7Continue on the trail to the right (north) at the juncture with the cutoff trail.
1.3Pass the spur trail to the park road on your right (west).
1.4Arrive back at the trailhead on the right (west).