by Wendy Lafond

Created on: November 06, 2008

Point Beach State Park covers 2,900 acres of mixed forest, wetland meadows, and Lake Michigan shoreline in Southeastern Wisconsin. Located 4 miles north of Two Rivers on County Road O, it is home a multitude of birds and waterfowl and boasts the tallest octagonal lighthouse in the world. The Rawley Point Lighthouse is the only one of it's kind on the Great Lakes shores. The park is open year-round and requires a state park sticker.

Point Beach State Forest is criss-crossed with trails for hiking, biking, and snowmobiling in the winter. There is a total of 22 miles of various levels of trails from foot paths through forests and sand dunes to paved trails that are accessible to handicapped persons, there is a natural beauty awaiting you somewhere in Point Beach Park.

The Ridges Trail system is a series of 3 intersecting looped trails of different lengths and difficulties. They are color coded and well marked for your safety. The shortest is the Red Loop at 3 miles. Dogs are allowed as long as they are leashed. For a bit more nature or exercise add in the Blue Loop and the hike distance goes up to 5.5 miles. If it is early evening be sure to listen for the frogs singing in the lowlands surrounding the trails. Finally, if that just isn't enough add in the Yellow Loop to make the complete 7.25 mile hike. All three trails begin and end at the Lodge parking lot.

Across the County road there is a parking lot and the trail head for the Red Pine Trail. This is a 3.1 mile hiking and mountain biking trail that allows leashed dogs in the summer. In the winter it is a cross-country ski trail and closed to foot traffic.

The Swales Nature Trail is a .5 mile trail that utilizes a self-guided approach to amateur and professional photographers and nature lovers alike who are hunting for that perfect picture or just looking to enjoy the wide variety of wildflowers, birds, and animals of the area. There are placards at various points along this trail to explain to newcomers how this interesting and beautiful land was formed.

The Rawley Point Bicycle Trail is a 5 mile stretch that begins at the lodge and heads south. This trail winds through pine and hemlock forest before connecting with the Mariners Trail. The Mariners Trail is a 7 mile paved trail the traverses the Lake Michigan shoreline to Two Rivers and Manitowoc. The Rawley Point Bike Trail is made of hard packed limestone for easy walking or biking.

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