Dark Lake Trail

Dark Lake Trail is a short, easy hike in Chippewa Moraine State Recreation Area in Wisconsin, managed by the State Department of Natural Resources. The trail is about 0.77 miles long, and the round trip adds up to roughly 1.5 miles with a total elevation gain of about 35 feet. The route is an out-and-back, and the steepest part comes at about half a mile in, with a grade of about 7 percent. Summer is the most comfortable time to go. Typical averages from a nearby weather station in Jim Falls show July highs around 81°F and lows near 59°F, while winter highs stay in the 20s. Several other trails sit close by. The Iat - Chippewa Moraine Segment is about 0.7 miles away, and the Cahow Trail Loop is about a mile off. Farther out, the Iat - Harwood Lakes Segment is about 3.3 miles away, and the Ski Trail is about 3.8 miles away.