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Point Beach State Forest in Two Rivers, Wisconsin offers six miles of Lake Michigan shoreline for visitors to enjoy. The shoreline is a sandy beach featuring sand dunes and a light house. The state forest offers swimming, picnicking, and nature programs in addition to wonderful trails. The forest offers camping for those who would like to spend more time in the forest. The forest is open from 6AM to 11PM daily so visitors can enjoy the wonderful sunrises over Lake Michigan. The forest offers a variety of trails from a simple half mile nature trail, to a 3.1 mile Red Pine Trail, to the combination trails of the Ridges. All of the trails are close to parking so they are perfect for a day or partial day hiking trip.

The Swales Nature Trail is a half-mile self-guided nature trail where nature enthusiasts can learn how the natural terrain was created and observe the wild flowers, trees, birds and animals. This trail is close to the forest's nature center which is home to exhibits and programs.

The 3.1 mile Red Pine Trail is close to the Swales Nature Trail but is further inland and across the highway. The trail is open to mountain bikers and hikers. In winter it is also open to cross country skiers. This trail offers a longer trail to observe the parks natural settings and wildlife.

The Ridges Trail offers three different hikes. The Red Loop is 3 miles. The Red and Blue Loop are 5.5 miles. The Red, Blue and Yellow Loops offer 7.25 miles. These trails like the Red Pine Trail can be enjoyed by cross country skiers in the winter. The loops all connect so you can vary your hike. These trails are closer to Lake Michigan and offer the opportunity to enjoy the natural settings.

The park also has six miles of shoreline where park visitors could do a day hike on the beach or a smoother walk on the parks boardwalk. These options would allow the visitor to enjoy the scenery of the dunes, Lake Michigan, the shorebirds, and the light house. Hikers to the park could enjoy the opportunity to possibly see deer, fox, chipmunks, birds and other wildlife. The trails are close to the shoreline so the elevation change is minimal and the trails are relatively level. The trails are perfect for spending a day enjoying nature near the banks of Lake Michigan.

sources:

site maps and information from

WDNR Point Beach State Forest Site

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