This large Wisconsin state park has something for everyone! The park is over 1,400 acres! It has six lakes with multiple places to fish or launch a canoe. There are several swimming areas, and the water is crystal clear! They have trails catering to hikers and horse riders, as well as various bike trails, including paved, gravel, and single-track options. There is a large sandy swimming beach, a concession stand, a playground, and a campground. Whatever you’re looking for in a state park, Hartman Creek has it! Read on below for details on the park and recommendations for nearby food and activities.
If you’re looking for other parks in central Wisconsin, check out Rib Mountain State Park for a challenging hike, scenic views, or rock scrambling. If you are looking for information about other Wisconsin State Parks, check out the list of parks I’ve written about so far here.
Hiking
There are approximately 10 miles of trails to choose from for hiking, all of which are fairly flat. I love that there are several short options, which is always nice for young hikers or those who like to get outside but don’t feel like committing to a long hike. The Deer Path trail is scenic and goes around Allen Lake. It begins near one of the parking areas and features a beautiful picnic area in the shade, offering a great view of the water. The DNR map marks it as having a playground, but at this time, it consists only of a couple of swings.
Dike Trail is also under a mile, but it isn’t a loop. It’s a fun trail that goes between Hartman Lake and an inlet of another lake. There are lots of water views. I haven’t had the chance to try the Pope Lake trail, but it is also about a mile.
If you are feeling more ambitious or have more time, the Oak Ridge Trail system is the most extensive trail in the park and has several options depending on how far you want to go. There are also a couple of miles of different options on the Windfeldt Trail. The famous Ice Age National Scenic Trail also crosses through Hartman Creek State Park. There are a total of 3 miles of trails in the park. It is just over half a mile to the campground from the Ice Age Trail.
Swimming
There is a 300-foot sandy beachfront with plenty of areas to play or sunbathe. The water is clear and lots of fun to splash around in. There are simple changing rooms and pit toilets as well. There is a small playground close to the beach. Next to the beach is a large, grassy area with picnic tables and ample space for a game of catch. Adventure Outfitters, based in nearby Waupaca, has a rental stand there. They have kayaks, canoes, paddle boards, and pedal boats for rent. They also rent bicycles. One of the multi-use hike/bike trails goes right by the beach. Occasionally, the beach closes down due to blue-green algae.
If you’re less interested in a sandy beach and more interested in diving right in, go to the whispering pines entrance. The water here is beautiful! It is at the east end of the park and has a medium-sized parking area. Follow the short path under the towering pine trees to find a rustic stone stairway. At the bottom, you’ll find a fishing/swimming pier where you can jump into the crystal-clear water. This would not be a good option if you have a lot of stuff to carry. Whispering Pines and Marl Lake just might be the most beautiful part of the park!
Biking
There are 12 miles of biking trails in Hartman Creek State Park. This includes paved trails and off-road multi-use trails. There are several loop options for biking within the park. You can also add a little mileage by following the park road, but the trail system is robust enough that you don’t need to go off the trails if you don’t want to. If you are looking to extend your ride, there are plenty of surrounding roads with minimal traffic.
There are 6-8 miles of single-track mountain biking trails. There are a few miles designated as easy, a few more miles are moderate, and just under 2 miles are designated as “very difficult.” The entire park is quite sandy and dries out quickly. This allows Hartman Creek State Park to generally open earlier in the spring than surrounding trails. The trails are sandy and flowy. The advanced trail has a few larger man-made obstacles, which are fun to try.
Boating and Fishing
If you’re renting from Adventure Outfitters, their location is right near the beach at Hartman Lake. They rent a variety of paddlecrafts (details above), which launch directly from the beach on Hartman Lake. Adventure Outfiters will also drop you off at Knight Landing, which is a motor-free chain of lakes that connects to Marl Lake with a quick paddle.
You can, of course, also bring your own boat too. Then, you can launch from Allen Lake or Hartman Lake within the park.
You can also put a boat into Marl Lake just southwest of the Whispering Pines entrance. There is no space to turn around, but the road to the launch is straight. Motorized boats are permitted, but the lakes accessible from the state park are designated as no-wake zones. There are several lakes in the chain of lakes that allow faster boating. Check out the map for Chain O’Lakes here.
Camping at Hartman Creek
With so many fun activities, you might as well set up camp and spend a night or two. There are 90 campsites with a couple of shower houses and flush toilets. There are several additional pit toilets. Sites 20-30 have views of the lake but are not electric. They sell firewood and fire starters at the entrance to the park. All the sites feature a picnic table and a fire ring with a grill.
Campsites are a short walk to Allen Lake, where you can get on the Deer Lake Path, which connects to the Oak Ridge trail system. Campsites are perhaps a half mile away from the beach. A paved multi-use trail connects the campground to the beach. They are also approximately half a mile from the mountain bike trails.
Horseback Riding
Hartman Creek Wisconsin State Park has seven miles of dedicated horse trails. I’ve never ridden here myself, but my sister has done a lot of trail riding. She tells me the trails are well-marked and easy to follow. The terrain is sandy and easy to ride. There is also a creek crossing, which can be a lot of fun. The parking is a bit tight if you have a larger horse trailer.
All seasons fun
I have visited the park in the early spring, summer, and fall, but haven’t had the pleasure of seeing it in the winter. I might have to change that this winter! They have 6 miles of cross-country skiing, and their mountain bike trails are open to fat tire bikes. They also have 3.5 miles of snowshoeing trails. The website states you can ice fish as well. Snowmobile trails also run through the park.
Waupaca, Wisconsin
The closest town is Waupaca, located approximately 5-10 minutes east. According to Travel Wisconsin, it is a town with “terrific water resources, timeless charm…and a place that draws visitors during all seasons.” It is home to the Chain of Lakes, which boasts beautiful, crystal-clear water. We always find plenty of outdoor activities to do here. Waupac is big enough to have some nice restaurants and a downtown area, as well as grocery stores, coffee shops, and ice cream stands.
Nearby Food
Clearwater Harbor is a solid choice at any time, offering a great view of the water. They even have chairs in the water during the warmer months! They open for lunch and stay open into the early morning hours. Check their website as they often have free live music. They have a playground with toy trucks, fish food to throw off the dock, and cornhole. There is an attached ice cream shop serving premium Wisconsin-made Chocolate Shop ice cream.
For dinner, we also love Wheel House . They serve pizza, sandwiches, burgers, and pasta, and have been a locals’ favorite for years. Scoopers is right next door and a great place for ice cream. Chain of Lakes Bar and Grill is also quite popular for dinner. It is a bar-type atmosphere with a large deck for outdoor dining. Central Waters Brewing is approximately 20 minutes away, offering a great selection of craft brews.
For breakfast, we recommend Waupaca Woods Restaurant, which serves breakfast all day! You can also check out Little Fat Gretchen’s in downtown. For coffee (and ice cream and gifts) we like Red Mill Gift shop. There is space for a beautiful walk over an old covered bridge to wander around while you enjoy your treats.
Nearby Activities
If you don’t get enough swimming at Hartman Creek, you can check out South Park Beach. They have a large beach area which has lifeguards throughout the summer months. There are plenty of shallow areas for the kids to swim and splash. There is also a swimming pier with a tall diving board and several slides. A great way to enjoy the lake! There are changing rooms and flush toilets nearby. Next to the beach is a large playground.
Adventure Outfitters, the same place that rents kayaks and other equipment at the park, also does guided paddle tours. We had a great time on their lighted night paddle with clear-bottom boats. It was a beautiful and peaceful way to enjoy the evening. The best thing about the Chain of Lakes is the crystal clear water, so any way you can get out there is a win! A few other things to do include paintball, mini golf and batting cages, Waupaca Falls, and tubing.
In Conclusion…
I wasn’t expecting much from Hartman Creek State Park, maybe because it seemed to be in the middle of nowhere. But as usual with Wisconsin State Parks, I was not disappointed! There are so many lakes, and the views are truly lovely. There is a wide variety of hikes, with something to suit everyone. The beach is large, the paddling opportunities are fun, and there is so much biking to do! Swimming in the crystal clear water on a warm day at Marl Lake is amazing! We’ve been here several times, and I still feel there is more left to explore. If you’re in central Wisconsin and want to check out more State Parks, visit Rib Mountain State Park (an hour away) for a great hike, beautiful views, and rock scrambling, or Council Grounds State Park (an hour and a half away) for more water fun and camping. Check out Roche-A-Cri State Park (an hour away) for hiking and a 303-step climb to amazing views. On Wisconsin!
