Schlitz Audubon Nature Center
This Milwaukee birding hotspot has six miles of trails through forests, prairies, wetlands, and the Lake Michigan shoreline.
Phone 414-352-2880 Trail Map
Green Tree Accessible Loop 0.26 mile
Mystery Lake Boardwalk.
There are other short trails at the center. Give them a call to learn if they are easy enough for you.
Riveredge Nature Center
A visitor to Riveredge will find a “diverse and beautiful landscape to wander on foot, on skis or snowshoes. Our 379-acre sanctuary has ten miles of trails around ponds and fens, through woodlands and prairies, and along the Milwaukee River.”
Here is the Center website. Brochure & Map Phone 262-375-2715
Riveredge has a Track Chair, which can be checked out for use at Riveredge Nature Center, but it can also be used offsite as well.
Larsen Prairie Loop 0.75 mile
Mayapple Loop 0.75 mile
River Walk 1 mile There are tree roots on this trail, which may be a difficulty for you.
Waukesha County
“The Nature Center focuses on environmental education, natural land management, community restoration, and wildlife habitat improvement. Today, restored prairies, a butterfly & rain garden, and an oak opening demonstration area greet visitors and compliment the Retzer’s original homestead. “
Here is the County Parks and Recreation website.
Retzer Nature Center Phone 262-896-8007 Trails Map
Adventure Trail 0.15 mi. “The award winning Adventure Trail provides the opportunity to use one’s sense of sight, sound, smell, and touch in discovering the wonders of nature. Native Wisconsin plants, birds, and animals are highlighted …… Raised bumps on the handrail encircling the trail mark the location of 30 interpreting Braille and raised letter signs. Printed guides and audio cassettes available at the nature center desk also explain the 30 special features.”
? There are other short trails which may be easy walking. They include the Nature Trail Loop, Fen Boardwalk Trail, and Prairie Vista Trail. Call to learn if they are easy enough for your abilities.
North Lakeland Discovery Center
North Lakeland Discovery Center has a 12-mile trail system open from dawn to dusk. “The terrain is gentle and winds through the woods, along the lake, bog and nearby Manitowish River allowing you to explore a variety of habitats each with their own unique plants and animals. ”
Here is the Center website. Phone 877-543-2085 Trail Map
The Center has a number of short trails, including the 0.5+ Interpretive trail and the 0.4 Bog Boardwalk. Emily Anna, Naturalist/Program Volunteer Coordinator, writes that, “Our trails are relatively flat, however I would not say that they are totally wheelchair accessible. They are hard-packed dirt. The Interpretive trail is the most flat, but it is quite narrow in some spaces, so it would be challenging for a wheelchair to make it through. For someone walking, the Interpretive Trail is gentle and flat with very minimal tree roots and rocks. I don’t think there would be any issues for an elderly person without a wheelchair.”
Outagamie County
Outagamie County maintains the Mosquito Nature Center on 441 acres adjacent to the Wolf River.
Here is the County Parks website. Parks Phone 920-832-4791
Mosquito Hill Nature Center Phone 920-779-6433 Brochure Trail System
All People’s Trail 0.6 mile one-way “…winds along forest edge, past Frog Pond, through a 12-acre prairie planting and ends at Oxbow Pond. ”
Landscaping for Wildlife Trail 0.14 mile “…leads around the main parking lot through the nature center’s Landscaping for Wildlife Demonstration Area.”
Stone Bridge Trail Map from AllTrails.com a 3.9 mile loop. “…paved trail winds through a wooded area and connects to a network of trails in the Town of Grand Chute.” I am finding contradictory information about this trail. Better call Outagamie Parks for help: 920-832-4791.
Maywood
Ellwood H. May Environmental Park, called Maywood, is supported through the Environmental Park Trust of Sheboygan County. support comes from private donations, grants, bequests, and annual fund raising events.
Maywood offers six diverse ecosystems, an Arboretum, and a butterfly & hummingbird garden on its 135-acres.
Here is Maywood’s website. Phone 920-459-3906 Trail Map
Accessible Trail 0.5 mile “… limestone chipped loop through the maple forest that is wheel chair accessible.”
Calumet County
Here is the Calumet County Parks website.
Disability Guide “Calumet Cares lists information on tourism attractions and various recreational activities which welcome and make provisions for visitors with physical, visual and cognitive impairments.”
Ledge View Nature Center is 105 acres of wooded ledges and open prairie including hiking trails, a 60-foot observation tower … and a nature center staffed full-time by a county naturalist and assistants. Caves and quarry are featured prominently in programs at Ledge View, but are not accessible or even easy. However visitors can enjoy an arboretum, interactive exhibits, and check out the flowers in the rain, butterfly, and hummingbird gardens. Call to learn if these gardens can be used with a wheelchair. Phone 920-849-7094
Ledge View Forest Loop is a 1.9 mile gravel loop trail described by All Trails as “good for all skill levels”.
Brillion Nature Center
The Brillion Nature Center has nearly 7 miles of hiking/snowshoe trails through prairie, marsh and woodland habitats and has a picnic area with wheelchair accessible tables. “The facility also caters to the elderly and has programming specific to senior citizens from an assisted living environment.”
Here is the Center website. Phone 920-756-3591 Trail Map
“An electric golf cart is available to transport participants with low mobility when using the trails (please call ahead to reserve the cart).
Cottonwood Trail 0.6 miles
Marsh Platform Trail Length not given, but it looks on map as if a little over 1/2 mile.
Harrington Beach State Park
“Harrington Beach State Park has more than a mile of beach along Lake Michigan. This 715-acre park also features a white cedar and hardwood swamp, old field grasslands with restored wetland ponds and a scenic limestone quarry lake.”
Here is the Park website. Phone 262-285-3015 Map Trail Descriptions
Quarry Lake Hiking Trail 0.75 circles Quarry Lake “The deep, serene waters of the 26-acre lake are surrounded by limestone ledges lined with white cedar trees.”
? “The shuttle bus trail also offers an excellent way for people with disabilities to see the woods and its wildlife.” This does not say “accessible” but it sounds like it. Call to inquire.
? White Cedar nature trail 0.5 mi., Meadowlark trail 0.25 mi., Lakeview Trail 0.75 mi., Whitetail Trail 0.5 mi., Hardwood Swamp Trail 0.25 mi., and Bobolink Loop Trail 0.5 mi. all are short and sound pretty easy but you should check with the Park to be sure.
Wisconsin State Trails There are 41 state trails, most of which are rail/trails. See the post below under Miscellaneous for the link to descriptions of these trails.