Hartman Creek in the SPRING is a sight to see!
Spring is coming! We have 21 more days and it’s here. We all live in Wisconsin, and it takes time, but facts are facts guys! I have been counting down for weeks…….I know you all know that LOL!
Spring hiking is the best!
Don’t you guys just ❤️ to get out and enjoy the parks and forest during spring? It’s one of my favorite things to do in life.
You get to hear the frogs and crickets again, take a walk, sit in the sunshine, and smell the earth during the melting process. The earth smells different in spring, almost fresh. It’s like it’s waking up and taking a big yawn, stretching, and saying…….here I come!
There is nothing like it. The lawn starts to get some water as the snow melts, the sun does it thing, and before you know it we have life… all OVER THE PLACE AGAIN!
Hartman Creek State Park is incredible in spring!
Hartman Creek State Park is right outside of Waupaca, WI.
It’s a very pretty 50 minute drive from Seymour. Hartman Creek is an hour and 15 minutes from Green Bay and only 50 minutes from Appleton. It’s worth the trip if you haven’t been, I PROMISE!
Located on the beautiful Chain O’ Lakes, Hartman Creek State Park is a quiet and friendly, natural gem and a popular destination in central Wisconsin. The park offers camping, boating, swimming, horseback riding and mountain biking opportunities, the historic Hellestad House log cabin, and four picnic areas including Whispering Pines along crystal-clear Marl Lake.
https://dnr.wisconsin.gov/topic/parks/hartmancreek
There are bathrooms and shelters to rent and use daily. 
The views of the lake can not be beat! 
It’s flat and easy to get to if you have a heavy cooler. 
There are plenty of picnic tables to use. 
The lake breeze is very soothing and calm.,
We love to picnic, relax, take the hike around the lake, and just be outside. There are so many things to do.
You can also stop in Waupaca for lunch, breakfast or a great coffee. I will link another post I did on Waupaca for you guys.
Waupaca is a small town but there is quite a bit to do…..and the people are really, really nice! You can find more info on Waupaca here.
Hartman Creek has a great vibe to it!
It’s all about family at this park. There are so many great places to set up for a family reunion, picnic, or to just enjoy the scenery of the park. It is almost hard to choose.
I have to admit I had never been there prior to the quarantine in 2020. My husband worked through it as he was essential, and I was stuck working from home. Every weekend we went on an adventure to find a new place to hike or be outside, and lucky us, we found Hartman Creek State Park.
There is so much life waking up! 
If you take your walking sticks the trail is easy! 
So much plant life popping up everywhere. 
We had a sunny day and it was awesome. 
The lake is so calm. 
The beginnings of the summer wetlands. The trail is easy to follow. 
It has some hills and valleys so it’s a great hike!
Map of the park from the DNR website
You can also download a copy here!
Our favorite trail is Deer Path!
DEER PATH TRAIL
The Deer Path Trail, a 1-mile loop trail around Allen Lake, is especially scenic, offering a wonderful view of wildlife and the springs that supply all of the water to this lake.
DIKE TRAIL
The Dike Trail is 1-mile long and crosses a narrow strip of land between Mid and Hartman lakes.
ICE AGE NATIONAL SCENIC TRAIL
Hartman Creek State Park includes 3 miles of the Ice Age National Scenic Trail, crossing through Waupaca and Portage counties. The trail winds north-south through the western end of the park and adjacent Emmons Creek Fish and Wildlife Area. It’s marked with yellow paint blazes and signs. The segment of trail in the wildlife area is closed to hikers during the gun deer season and blaze orange clothing is recommended during other hunting seasons.
OAK RIDGE TRAIL SYSTEM
The most extensive hiking trail is the Oak Ridge System, 4.87 miles total.
POPE LAKE TRAIL
Pope Lake Trail (1 mile) circles a pine plantation and is relatively flat.
WINDFELDT TRAIL
The Windfeldt Trail is about 2 miles long and more open, going through parts of old orchard area and oak forest.
If you haven’t hiked Hartman Creek or spent the day there you need to go!
I think spring at this park is one of the best, if NOT the best, in Wisconsin, and we have been to a lot of parks. Waupaca tends to warm early, and on a sunny day it’s worth the drive.
Have a great week and make some plans to get out and enjoy WISCONSIN!
I hope you ALL get to enjoy some spring hikes soon! If you have any questions feel free to reach out to the people at the park. You can contact them here: Jarrod.Kehring@wisconsin.gov
~ Amy
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