Guide to Hiking Kohler-Andrae State Park - Southern Wisconsin
Trails, boardwalks, and beaches along Lake Michigan.
If you’re looking for new places to hike near Milwaukee or Green Bay, you’ll want to check out the dunes and trails at Kohler-Andrae State Park. It is well maintained and offers great amenities for just about anyone to enjoy their time in this beautiful Wisconsin state park.
I love how much the landscape changes as you started your hike from one end to the other. I would love to catch a sunrise over Lake Michigan here. Small patches of woods with tall pines and deciduous tress line the perimeter of the rolling hills of boardwalks and sand dunes. If you're looking for a fun hike along Lake Michigan in Southern Wisconsin, this one you definitely want to check out.
Tall white pines along the Creeping Juniper Natural Trail.
Excited to visit yet?! Let's jump into all the things you need to know, might be curious about and what to expect when you visit for yourself!
Directions to Kohler-Andrae State Park
Kohler-Andrae State Park is located in Sheboygan, Wisconsin, which is 52 miles north of Milwaukee and 70 miles south of Green Bay. It isn’t far from Highway 43 along the coast of Lake Michigan. Since it is a Wisconsin state park, the roads are very accessible and well maintained. There are signs along all of the roads to help guide you to where you want to go.
State park fees and rules
Paying to access State Parks is an important. It helps protects and supports the beautiful landscapes and creatures that inhabit our planet. So make sure you pay the pass and respect the rules you see on signs around the park. Carry trash with you, recycle, and do your part to protect our planet.
I usually just get a year pass because I end up visiting other state parks, but if you just in the state for a few days, a day pass would be your best bet.
How accessible are the trails and beaches at Kohler-Andrae State Park?
Most of the trails are not paved or gravel due to the nature of the land and the dunes. The only trail treated for wheelchair access is the Woodlands Dune Nature Trail located near the campground. There are also great viewing points of Lake Michigan that you can drive up to though that are handicap accessible as well. There are paved parking areas at each end of the park to allow you to easily access the trail system and beaches.
There are benches available along the trails for anyone that needs to take a rest or simple wants to take in the scenery or have a great conversation with someone. Be prepared for walking up and down hills if you go on any of the trails.
Trail descriptions and map of Kohler-Andrae State Park
With over 8 miles of trails, you can easily spend a full day exploring all of the trails at the park, but it’s also a great place to just go for a short walk and see some great sights. Below are are some short descriptions of the trails you can find within the park. You can click on the map images to see the full map together for a birds eye view.
Trail maps and info from state park website.
Black River Trails (2.5 mi.) - These trails begins at the northwest end of the park. You will see open field and forest filled with song birds and wildflowers. This area contains open field community and forested areas. Look for a variety of song birds and wildflowers. Horses and mountain bikes permitted.
Creeping Juniper Nature Trail (0.5 mi.) - It starts and ends at Sanderling Nature Center. Because of the sand dunes, you will need to stay on the cordwalk. This protects them from damage and preserves their beauty.
Dunes Cordwalk (2 mi.) - This trail runs along Lake Michigan. The north trail is 0.5 mi. and the south trail is 1.5 mi. On the trail you will see active and stabilized sand dunes, interdunal wetlands, and a dry-mesic white pine forest.
Woodland Dunes Nature Trail (1 mi.) - This trail begins and ends and the south end of the park near the playground. A 0.25 mi. loop has a crushed limestone surface for wheelchair access. Unfortunately, no pets allowed.
Black River Marsh Boardwalk (0.25 mi.) This boardwalk starts at the parking area west of the campground where you will see wetland plants and waterfowl.
Marsh Trail (0.5 mi.) - This trail connects the Marsh Boardwalk to the Accessible Cabin and the Woodland Dunes Nature Trail. This forested trail borders the Black River marsh where you can view both upland and wetland flora and fauna.
Fishing Pond Trail (0.3 mi.) - This is an easy walk with many benches where you will see waterfowl and other pond life.
Ancient Shores Hiking Trail: (1.3 mi.) - This starts and ends at Friends Fishing Pond Trail. The trail runs along two former beach ridges, including one, the Nipissing Transgression, from a period about 5,000 years ago. At that time, the Great Lakes rose to a level a few meters higher than current levels, leaving a distinctive former beach ridge.
Recommended Footwear
You’ll be okay with just about any footwear for the trails. Just be prepared to get sand in your shoes at some point. If you wander towards the beach or through the dunes, you will either want to wear sandals or just take your shoes off to walk through the sand or wade in the waters of Lake Michigan.
When I visited, I wore my Salomon CrossAmphibian Swifts.
Parking at Kohler-Andrae State Park.
Parking can be found at the beginning of just about every trail within the park. So no matter what trail you’re interested in checking out, if you just want to relax on the beach, it’s all easily accessible with your vehicle.
Restrooms
You will only find restrooms at the Sanderling Nature Center as well as near the campground. You will not find bathrooms along the trails. And since the trails are among wide open spaces, it would be easy to just find a tree in the woods if you really have to go. So be smart and use the restroom before you hit the trail. Fortunately, the trails aren’t too far from the nearest bathroom.
Rest areas and stops along the trails
You will find benches all over the state park to rest and have a take in the sights. There are also countless informative signs so you can learn about the plant life, history of the land, and animals you can spot throughout the park.
Are dogs allowed in Kohler-Andrae State Park?
Pets must be on a leash no longer than 8 feet and under your control at all times. Pets are not allowed on the beach area south of the Sanderling Nature Center, picnic areas, playgrounds, buildings or nature trails.
Pets are allowed at your campsite, along park roads, the Black River Hiking Trail, the Black River Marsh Boardwalk, Marsh Trail, designated sections of the Kohler Dunes Cordwalk, the Fishing Pond Trail and on the beach area north of the Nature Center only.
Taking care of pet waste - Pet owners must remove pet waste and dispose of it in trash containers. Do not bury waste in sand. Pet rule violations are subject to fines and are strictly enforced to provide a safe and clean state park for all our guests.
Swimming at Kohler-Andrae State Park
You can freely swim along the beach within the park, but please swim with caution because there are no lifeguards on duty.
Camping at Kohler-Andrae State Park
I’ve never camped there myself, but it seems like it would be a nice play to stay overnight if you are traveling along the coast or want a weekend near Lake Michigan.
Camping Reservations and Details
The History of Kohler-Andrae State Park
This Wisconsin state park is actually two parks combined. The northern half was donated to the state by the Kohler Company in 1966 as a memorial to John Michael Kohler. The southern half of the park is Terry Andrae State Park, who purchased the lakeshore property from a retired fisherman. He and his wife, Elsbeth built a home where the campground currently is and began to reforest the property. In 1927, she donated all 122 acres of her “pine dunes” to the state and now is a park we see today.
Read more about the history here.
Geology - Lake Michigan Dunes, Marsh, Forest, and Beaches
All around the park you will find signs that share information about what you see. Everything from the plants to the animals to the dunes. If you have kids with you, it’s a great chance to slow down and learn something together. Adults can learn too!
The Sanderling Nature Center
Open May-October / Closes at 4:30pm
The nature center is located in the northern area of the park. From there you can easily access the beach. The facility is catered to children, but inside you’ll find old school exhibits that show fish, plants, animals, bugs, and more. Don’t forget to head to the roof for nice overlook of the area.
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