Northern Trails

Northern Trails is a short, easy hike in Sauk Prairie State Recreation Area in Wisconsin, managed by the State Department of Natural Resources. The route is an out-and-back of about 1.7 miles, with a total elevation gain of 43 feet, so it's a flat walk that starts and ends at nearly the same elevation. The most comfortable months for a visit are late spring through early fall. Typical averages from the nearby Baraboo weather station run from highs around 70°F in May to about 83°F in July, with September easing back to the mid-70s. The trip takes about half an hour, and the trail is close to other outings. Central Trails is about 0.8 miles away, and Southern Trails is about 1.7 miles off. Climbers can head to Boomtown, about 2.2 miles away, and the Habitat Diversity Trail is about 3.3 miles away.