Fischer Creek State Recreation Area (Blog Hike #1088)

Trail: (unnamed)
Hike Location: Fischer Creek State Recreation Area
Geographic Location: south of Manitowoc, WI (43.93450, -87.72100)
Length: 1.4 miles
Difficulty: 1/10 (Easy)
Date Hiked: October 2025
Overview: An out-and-back passing views of Lake Michigan leading to an old silo.
Park Information: https://dnr.wisconsin.gov/topic/parks/fischercreek
Hike Route Map:

On The Go Map

Photo Highlight:

Hike Video: (coming July 21, 2026)

Directions to the trailhead: South of Manitowoc, take I-43 to CR XX (exit 137).  Exit and go east on CR XX.  Drive CR XX east 2.2 miles to Lakeshore Drive and turn left on Lakeshore Dr.  Drive Lakeshore Dr. north 1.3 miles to the signed park entrance on the right.  Turn right to enter the park, and park in the small paved parking lot.

The hike: Owned by the State of Wisconsin but developed and maintained by Manitowoc County, Fischer Creek State Recreation Area protects 124 acres along Lake Michigan.  The park straddles its namesake creek, and it protects more than a mile of Lake Michigan shoreline, which forms its east boundary.  The land was purchased in 1991 using money from the state's Knowles-Nelson Stewardship Fund with a contribution from Manitowoc County.  Today the park remains the newest county park in Manitowoc County.

            Fischer Creek State Recreation Area protects both blufftop and lakeshore areas, but its limited amenities include only a small Lake Michigan beach and some picnic shelters.  In particular, the Area is open for day-use only.  The park's single trail parallels Lake Michigan; it has both developed and natural sections.  This hike uses almost all of that trail, thus squeezing almost all of the hiking possible out of this small Recreation Area.

Trail leaving south parking lot

            Fischer Creek State Recreation Area has two parking lots; start at the south parking lot to do this hike as a single out-and-back instead of a double out-and-back.  The wide gravel trail heads northeast through a mowed-grass area dotted with small trees, cooking grills, and benches.  Both parking lots are located on the blufftop, and quickly you reach the edge of the bluff and a fantastic view east over Lake Michigan.  A stiff breeze was blowing off the lake on the late afternoon that I came here, and the long shadows extended well into the lake.

Blufftop view of Lake Michigan

            Next the trail descends steeply to reach the Recreation Area's small sandy beach; a short spur trail to the right leads down to the beach.  The beach was scenic but blustery on my visit.  After crossing Fischer Creek on an iron bridge with wooden deck, you reach another lakeside viewpoint that offers a fantastic view north along Lake Michigan.  Continuing north, the trail climbs moderately to top the next bluff.

Small Lake Michigan beach

View north along Lake Michigan

            Just shy of 0.4 miles, you reach a trail intersection with the north parking lot visible to the left.  The trail going sharply right leads a short distance to more blufftop benches.  This hike angles softly right to continue a northbound course.

Concrete silo

            Soon the gravel trail surface turns to dirt, and the trail crosses a small stream on a wooden footbridge to enter a dense brushy young broadleaf forest.  At 0.7 miles, you reach an old concrete silo, a relic from this land's agricultural history.  The trail continues north past the silo, but it gets increasingly narrow and overgrown before reaching a dead end at the park's north boundary.  Thus, the silo is a good place to turn around.  Retrace your steps south through the developed area to return to the south parking lot and complete the hike.