Looking for somewhere new to see the fall colors or a unique hike any time of year? We’ve got you covered! These are all places to hike where hunting is not allowed, so you can enjoy autumn and feel safe while doing it.

Colorful leaves on a sunny trail at Kemper Woods in Lake Hallie, Wisconsin, CCLC — Kemper Woods @dez lezotte

1. Kemper Woods, Lake Hallie

Sunlit trails wind through upland woods and young pines in this 80-acre preserve, originally acquired by CCLC and now part of the 630-acre Hallie Marsh Wildlife Area. It’s excellent for bird watching, as it is the site of over 50 years of continuous bird banding records.

Location: 15433 50th Ave., Chippewa Falls, 1⁄2 mile east of Highway 29. There is a well-marked parking area.

Sunny, oak savanna with rolling hills at Huettner Preserve in Chippewa Falls, Wisconsin — Huettner Preserve @dezlezotte

2. Huettner Preserve, Chippewa Falls

Hidden on a dead-end road, the trails in this CCLC preserve near Chippewa Falls take you through 67 acres of upland oak woods and floodplain low-lands on Paint Creek. Be aware that the trails are not maintained, so this one is a bit more adventurous.

Location: 19900 50th Ave, Chippewa Falls. The trailhead is marked with a small Chippewa County Land Conservancy sign on the left, halfway down the dead-end road.

A sunny trail surrounded by pine trees at Pine Harbor Woods Park in Chippewa Falls, Wisconsin.jpg

3. Pine Harbor Woods Park, Chippewa Falls

If you want to get lost in the woods without any chance you’ll be truly lost, head to Pine Harbor Woods. This smaller-sized park has lots of winding trails and is near Lake Wissota State Park for even more hiking adventures.

Location: Navigate to 77th Avenue, Chippewa Falls. There are multiple entrances to this woods, so note where you park.

Sun lit grasses on a trail at City Well in Eau Claire, Wisconsin — City Well Field @dezlezotte

4. City Well Field, Eau Claire

For trails covered by mossy carpets with towering trees overhead, plus 14 structures that look like tiny homes out of an old storybook (Spoiler: they’re well houses!), check out the City Well Field. Hidden right in Eau Claire, you’ll find over three miles of trails swirling through the woods at different elevations for hiking, biking, or cross-country skiing.

Location: There are two parking areas on Riverview Drive across from Riverview Park. Coming from the North Crossing, one parking area is right before the water treatment plant and one is a bit past Riverview Park.

Sherman Creek Park bridge with tall pines and sunshine @dezlezotte — Sherman Creek Park @dezlezotte

5. Sherman Creek Park, Eau Claire

With trails that go up and down into the meandering Sherman Creek ravine, crisscrossed with bridges, this smaller 30-acre park that is part of Landmark Conservancy makes for an interesting and beautiful hiking spot. It’s perfect for taking pictures or chilling on one of the benches high above the creek.

Location: GPS will take you to a residential neighborhood, so instead, navigate to Sherman Elementary School and continue down the road just a bit. You’ll see the small parking area marked with a sign on the right if you’re coming from Eau Claire.

Colorful treetops in fall at Guettinger Woods @dezlezotte — Guettinger Woods @dezlezotte

6. Guettinger Woods, Mondovi

Expansive, rolling upland oak woods greet you at this hidden gem located between Eau Claire and Mondovi. While there are lots of trees, the woods aren’t dense and brushy, so you may see some wildlife. Go far enough into this 123-acre woods and you’ll reach a pond!

Location: Head to Sandberg Road off Highway 37. The parking area is on the left side of Highway 37 if you’re heading from Eau Claire, and it is marked by a sign.

Fairway Park trail surrounded by trees in Altoona, Wisconsin, @dezlezotte — Fairway Park @dezlezotte

7. Fairway Park, Altoona

For a hike with meadow, creek, and a unique mix of flora including lots of wildflowers, head to this park, right off the beaten path beyond the new builds in Altoona off Highway 12. Pair it with a hike at Altoona’s Otter Creek Hiking Area for a day of creekside goodness.

Location: The parking lot is on Whistling Straits Drive next door to apartment complexes. Follow the paved path next to the parking lot down past the basketball courts to hike along the creek.

Tall trees with sunshine in spring at Krank Nature Preserve in Cornell, Wisconsin, by@dezlezotte — Krank Nature Preserve @dezlezotte

8. Krank Nature Preserve, Cornell

CCLC’s largest preserve at 598 acres, this gorgeous land outside Cornell winds through upland mesic forests, tamarack bogs, alder thickets, and sedge meadows, right next to the Chippewa River Segment of the Ice Age Trail. Be sure to check out lush Brunet Island State Park, just across the river, for camping and more hiking!

Location: 23200 Hwy CC, Cornell, WI. Park on the driveway with the closed gate on the west side of the road (south of the Ice Age Trail parking on east side of the road). Walk up the driveway. Trail is on the right, before the shed on the left.

Trail through lush green woods in summer with tall trees at Otter Lake Esker Preserve near Owen, Wisconsin @dezlezotte — Otter Lake Esker Preserve @dezlezotte

9. Otter Lake Esker Preserve, Stanley

Small but mighty, this 13 acre preserve features a stunning trail along the spine of an esker (glacial ridge) that leads to Otter Lake. This preserve will become part of the Ice Age Trail in the future.

Location: 14233 360th St, Stanley, WI, 6.5 miles north of Stanley via Co Hwy H. Park in the lot.

Tall pines and sunshine at Joas Park Nature Preserve in Chippewa Falls, Wisconsin by @dezlezotte — Joas Park Nature Preserve @dezlezotte

10. Joas Park Nature Preserve, Chippewa Falls

Near the heart of Chippewa Falls, this 52 acre preserve was never logged off or developed, a unique feat in this area. It is a bit hidden, but worth the hike or bike ride! It contains beautiful trails through upland prairie terrace and lowland forest with old growth trees, a creek, stone outcrops, and a pond. See if you can find the geocache!

Location: Near 300 Old Eau Claire Rd., Chippewa Falls, WI. Park along the road near the wide driveway with a Stelter Inc. sign on the gate. Walk ~20 feet south on the road to the trail on your left (east). Follow the trail a ways until you see the Joas Park archway sign on your left.

(Article was originally published in Volume One.)