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Wisconsin is home to dozens of state parks. Each of these protected natural spaces are vital, vibrant, and beautiful in their own way, but one such parcel of Wisconsin State Park land is unlike pretty much any other place within our borders. Its look, layout, and topography and both unique and remarkable. Oh, and this gorgeous landscape and undisputed Wisconsin hiking destination is less than an hour from Milwaukee.
In the small town of Wilson, Wisconsin—east of I-43 and a few miles south of Sheboygan city limits—sits Kohler-Andrae State Park. The park, which is the product of a merger of Terry Andrae State Park and John Michael Kohler State Park, offers camping opportunities in proximity of a wide range of wildlife and features amenities like the Sanderling Nature Center, a variety of picnic areas and shelters, and miles of beaches that straddle Lake Michigan.
The most compelling and iconic aspect of Kohler-Andrae State Park is undoubtedly its Cordwalk Trail. The distinctive pathway (the trailhead of which can be accessed from Parking Lot 5) is made up of wooden planks set atop miles of sand. The eponymous cords help to guide hikers across rows of dunes that are flanked by trees, shrubs, patches of tall grass, and an abundance of other plants in the protected ecosystem.
At various points of the hike (which is a breezy, approximately three-mile walk round trip that takes about 90 minutes for most hikers to complete), the cords lead out to the beach so travelers can either enjoy a dazzling vista or step out onto the beach itself to get a closer look at—or even take a dip in—Lake Michigan.
If you’ve never been to this marvelous natural wonder that’s within an hour’s drive of Milwaukee, we suggest you change that before the summer is through. Kohler-Andrae State Park and especially its Cordwalk Trail is absolutely worth the price of admission ($13 for a daily pass and $28 for a 12-month State Parks pass for vehicles with Wisconsin plates; $16/$50 for vehicles with out-of-state plates) to explore some protected terrain that might make you temporarily forget you’re in Wisconsin.
These photos don’t do it justice, but give them and gander then hit the Cordwalk Trail to experience it for yourself. Happy hiking!
