Step outside your cabin at Emrick Lake and you’ll have 550 acres of woods, lake overlooks, and shoreline paths to wander before breakfast. Push further out and the country around Oxford, Wisconsin will keep a hiker busy for a week: 500-foot quartzite bluffs, sandstone gorges narrow enough to touch both walls, marsh boardwalks, and rail-trails flat enough for a stroller are all available.
We’ve sorted every trail below by driving time from our front gate, so whether you’ve got two hours or a full day, you can pick up and go.
Hike at Emrick Lake: Starting Right on the Property
One of the best things here at Emrick Lake is that you don’t have to leave the campsite to enjoy a great hike.
Step outside your cabin or campsite and you’re already surrounded by 550 acres of trails through the woods, shorelines, and peaceful walking paths along the lake and bordering the pond. This isn’t your typical jaunt through a campground either. You can spend an hour or more exploring our woods, catching glimpses of water as the scenery opens around you. On those quiet mornings, you can take a leisurely stroll and appreciate the stillness of it all and the wonders of nature.
Of course, the hiking doesn’t stop at Emrick Lake. Some of the area’s best trails and outdoor spots are all within a close drive of the campground.
The Three-Ring Trail Guide: Hiking Near Emrick Lake
Inner Ring: Easy to Reach (30 Minutes or Less)
These are the trails you can squeeze in before lunch. No cooler needed, no long commitment – just a quick hop from the front gate.
Roche-A-Cri State Park
The Mound Trail at Roche-A-Cri State Park and Stairway is popularly known for the 300-foot mound and stairway overlook. Hikers can wander through oak and pine woods, restored prairie, wetlands, and rock formations. Whether you take the full Acorn Trail loop or one of the shorter nature trails, it’s an easy place to spend a few hours.
✅ Dogs welcome throughout the park and on the hiking trails – leashed
Page Creek Marsh State Natural Area
Page Creek Marsh North Trail is especially scenic, offering an easy walk through meadows and wetlands to a small pond at the end. In winter, the old roads also become great routes for snowshoeing and cross-country skiing.
The area has been carefully protected and restored over the years by the Nature Conservancy, helping preserve one of central Wisconsin’s most important wildlife habitats.
❌ No dogs allowed, in an effort to protect the sensitive ecosystem and wildlife
If you have more time during the day, the next ring of trails is worth the drive.
Middle Ring: Mid-Range (30–60 Minutes Distance)
Pack a water bottle, snacks, and give yourself a longer adventure. These are the trails that reward a little effort and a slightly earlier start.
Devil’s Lake State Park
As Wisconsin’s most-visited state park, Devil’s Lake State Park has it all – 500-foot quartzite bluffs on either side of a 360-acre lake, with the trails threading through all of it. Below is a variety of great trail options at Devil’s Lake.
Mirror Lake State Park
Mirror Lake State Park is where you’ll want to go for the quieter version of Devil’s Lake. You’ll find water, sandstone cliffs, and forests – all great places to slow down and enjoy the scenery without the chaos.
✅ Leashed dogs granted throughout the park – a solid option for visitors bringing pets along
Rabbit Rock Trail
Rabbit Rock Trail is a short loop circling a sandstone outcrop filled with rugged rock formations, narrow passages, and even a mini slot canyon. In spots where the weathered surface has worn away, the sandstone glows with a deep orange color.
Despite its short length, Rabbit Rock packs a surprising amount of scenery and geological history into one quick and memorable stop.
When you’re ready to make a whole day of it and the drive is part of the adventure, the outer ring delivers.
Outer Ring: Day Trips (1–2 Hours Away)
Say you want a full commitment – longer drives, longer days, and the kind of memories that make the drive worth it. One where you can plan ahead, leave early, and bring snacks. The following options are ideal.
Elroy-Sparta State Trail
This trail follows an old railroad corridor through forests, farmland, and small towns, but the real highlights are three massive railroad tunnels built more than 140 years ago, where cool air, darkness, and dripping water from the rock ceiling follow you the entire way through.
The trail is mostly flat, making it perfect for hiking or biking. Along the route, you'll find small-town stops, scenic open stretches, and plenty of wildlife.
✅ Leashed dogs welcome, making this an easy trail to enjoy with the whole family
Ice Age National Scenic Trails
These trails have rolling moraines, forested bluffs, kettles, and ridgelines included. Most people choose a segment and go as far as they feel like that day. Here are two segments well worth the drive from Emrick Lake – both pet-friendly if your dog is leashed.
🟦 Kettle Moraine Southern Unit
Though it features 3,479 feet of climbing from end to end, most people pick a stretch and turn around when they’ve hit their goal. Rated a perfect 5 out of 5 on Hiking Project, the Kettle Moraine State Forest is the one for people who want to actually work for their views.
🟦 Devil’s Lake Segment
This segment within the Ice Age Trail takes you through the Baraboo Hills. It pairs naturally with a Devil’s Lake visit if you want to make a full day of the area.
Before you hit the trails, here are a few helpful things to know ahead of time.
Planning Ahead: Practical Tips
- Timing – Spring and fall are the most comfortable and least crowded times to go. Summer is busier and more humid, but everything’s open. In winter, most bluff trails close, though you can still enjoy rail-trails and open areas for snowshoeing.
- Dogs – Most Wisconsin state park trails allow dogs on a leash, but there are a few sections where they’re not permitted (like Page Creek Marsh). Always check ahead.
- Trail conditions – Storms, spring flooding, and seasonal closures can change conditions quickly. It only takes a couple of minutes to check the Travel Wisconsin Trail Report, and it can easily save you from a wasted drive.
- State park pass – You’ll need a Wisconsin vehicle admission sticker for most parking areas. Grab one before you go, because it covers all state parks for the year and pays for itself on the first visit.
FAQs
Where is the best hiking near Oxford, Wisconsin?
The West Bluff trail at Devil’s Lake State Park is a popular option and relatively close to Emrick Lake. A little closer to home, Roche-A-Cri State Park, is also well-admired.
Are there hiking trails at Emrick Lake?
Yes! Emrick Lake has 550 acres of woods, lakeshore, and pathways to explore.
Is Oxford, Wisconsin a good place for a hiking trip?
Absolutely. Within an hour of Oxford, you’ve got sandstone gorges, quartzite bluff trails, marsh boardwalks, and some of the best rail-trails in the Midwest.
