Outdoor Winter Recreation in Jefferson County

Looking for fun outdoor experiences that will allow you to enjoy the winter season without breaking the bank? Find a variety of activities for the whole family to keep you active and entertained without leaving Jefferson County!

Skating in West Side Park, Cambridge. Photo by Meghan Barthel

Ice Skating

Ice skating is one of the most popular winter activities with ice rinks throughout Jefferson County.

• Westside Park @ 300 W. Water Street, Cambridge/with warming shelter
• Bark River Nature Park & Haumerson’s Pond @ 550 S. 4th Street E, Fort Atkinson
• Ice Skate Rentals in Fort Atkinson @ 2 Rivers Bicycle & Outdoor, 33 W. Sherman Avenue, Fort Atkinson
• Ice Skate Rentals at Watertown Park & Rec
• Silver Creek Pond @ North Water Street, Watertown/with warming house. Contact Watertown Park & Rec for current conditions.
• Oakridge Park @ 333 E. Ogden Street, Jefferson, as weather permits
• 720 West Madison Street, Waterloo

* Ice needs to be at least 8 inches thick to be safe. People are advised to use extreme caution when venturing out onto river ice, as ice depths are not consistent. Ice conditions that are near bridges and dams are especially dangerous. Ice needs to be at least 8 inches thick to be safe. People are advised to use extreme caution when venturing out onto river ice, as ice depths are not consistent. Ice conditions that are near bridges and dams are especially dangerous.

Sledding hill at Korth Park, Lake Mills.

Sledding

Sledding is one of the most fun & economical winter activities. You can simply hop on your vessel of choice, launch yourself off the incline, and experience an amazing thrill! This simple experience can give you hours of fun and don’t forget the hot chocolate when you’ve finished!

While you can sled just about anywhere that has an obstacle-free incline and a layer of snow, there are designated sledding spots in Jefferson County:

• Near the Water Tower in Jefferson (behind the Aquatic Center)
• Korth Park @ Korth Lane, Lake Mills
• Fireman’s Park @ 500 Park Avenue, Waterloo
• Holy Family School & Parish @ 205 Milwaukee Avenue, Waterloo
• Holzhueter State Park @ W7664 Island Road, Waterloo
• Watertown High School @ 825 Endeavour Drive, Watertown
• Riverside Middle School @ 131 Hall Street, Watertown
• Killer Hill at Trippe Lake Park @ 407 S. Wisconsin Street, Whitewater

 

Interurban Trail in Watertown

Snowshoeing

Snowshoeing is like hiking in the snow except to keep your feet from sinking, you’ll need to strap on some special snowshoes. These tennis racket-looking shoes distribute your weight so you won’t sink as far down into the snow.

• Camrock Trailhead located at Westside Park @ 300 W. Water Street, Cambridge
• Dorothy Carnes Park – Mason Farm @ N3220 Radloff Lane, Fort Atkinson. *keep off the cross-country ski trails
• Haumerson’s Pond & Bark River Nature Park @ 550 S. 4th Street E, Fort Atkinson
• Jefferson County Dog Park/Crossroads Landing @ W5098 Canine Drive, Johnson Creek
• Korth Park @ Korth Lane, Lake Mills. *keep off the cross-country ski trails
• Snowshoe rentals for the family at Lake Mills Rec Department
• Carlin Weld Park @ County Rd. H, Palmyra *keep off the cross-country ski trails
• Snowshoe rentals at Watertown Park & Rec Department
• Brandt-Quirk Park Trails @ 800 Carriage Hill Drive, Watertown
• Tivoli Island @ 101 Tivoli Drive, Watertown
• Interurban Trail @ 423 Humboldt Street, Watertown
• Ice Age Trail – Whitewater Segment Trailheads @ W8141 Clover Valley Rd., W7796 Kettle Moraine Dr., 7206 US-12, Whitewater
• Ice Age Trail – Blackhawk Segment Trailheads @ 7206 US-12, Kettle Moraine Oak Opening on Young Rd. off of Kettle Moraine Scenic Drive, Whitewater
• Ice Age Trail – Blue Spring Lake Segment @ Kettle Moraine Oak Opening on Young Rd. off of Kettle Moraine Scenic Drive, Whitewater

Ice Fishing on Lake Ripley in Cambridge.

Ice Fishing

When compared to sledding and snowmobiling, Ice fishing is definitely one of the more slow-paced outdoor winter activities. Essentially, ice fishing is like normal fishing but much, much colder! In order to even reach the fish, you’ll need to carve a hole into the ice into which you can drop your line. Then, you just wait around until you feel something bite!

• Rock River throughout Jefferson County
• Lake Ripley @ 4310 Park Road, Cambridge
• Rock Lake, Lake Mills
• Rice Lake @ State Park Drive, Whitewater
• Whitewater Lake @ 7658 State Park Road, Whitewater

ICE FISHING EVENTS:

• JANUARY 20-21, WINTER FREE FISHING WEEKEND, STATEWIDE
• JANUARY 27, LION’S CLUB FISHEREE, SPRING LAKE, PALMYRA, 6AM-2PM
• FEBRUARY 10, DIP FOR DOZER 1PM & LIL’ D FISHEREE, 7AM-4PM, LAKE RIPLEY, CAMBRIDGE
• ANNUAL LION’S CLUB FISHEREE, Check Facebook page for date

* Dates may change depending on ice conditions.

Skiing

Skiing is arguably one of the most popular outdoor winter activities. There are several locations for cross country skiing in Jefferson County.

• Camrock Trailhead -Westside Park @ 300 W. Water Street, Cambridge
• Dorothy Carnes Park – Mason Farm @ N3220 Radloff Lane, Fort Atkinson
• Haumerson’s Pond & Bark River Nature Park @ 522 S. 4th Street E, Fort Atkinson
• Crossroads Landing @ 500 Resort Drive, Johnson Creek
• Korth Park @ Korth Lane, Lake Mills
• Carlin Weld Park @ County Rd. H, Palmyra
• Fireman’s Park @ 500 Park Avenue, Waterloo
• Waterloo Trailhead @ 760 McKay Way, Waterloo
• Morrison Field @ 127 Minnetonka Way, Waterloo
• Indian Hills Nature Area @ 127 Minnetonka Way, Waterloo
• Holzhueter State Park @ W7664 Island Road, Waterloo
• Youker Park @ 291 Mills Street, Waterloo
• DeYoung Farms @ 500 McKay Way, Waterloo
• Southside Park @ 905 Julia Way, Waterloo
• Garman Preserve @ 701 Fox Lane, Waterloo
• Brandt/Quirk Park and High School grounds, Watertown (access point and parking at the north end of both Carriage Hill Drive and Hiawatha Street)
• Nordic Skiing & Hiking Trails @ N9084 Co Rd H, Whitewater
• Natureland County Park @ W8338 Territorial Road, Whitewater
• Whitewater Nature Preserve @ 910 Schwager Drive, Whitewater
• Ice Age Trail – Clover Valley Segment @ Island Rd. off Hwy 89, Whitewater

SKI/HIKE EVENT

• JANUARY 20, CANDLELIGHT HIKE & SKI, NORDIC SKIING & HIKING TRAILS, WHITEWATER

Snowmobiler on Trail west of Fort Atkinson

Snowmobiling

Visit Jefferson County Snowmobile Alliancefor Trail Map & conditions

Trail Hotline & Information: 1-920-699-SNOW

• Direct access to trails at Crossroads Landing @ 500 Resort Drive, Johnson Creek
• Trailheads off of Hwy 89, Hwy 12, County Rd P, Anderson Rd, R & W Townline Road in Whitewater

SNOWMOBILE EVENTS

• SATURDAY, JANUARY 20, 12-4pm – MEAT RAFFLE @ ANN’S FARMINGTON INN. HOSTED BY WATERTOWN SNOWMOBILE ASSOCIATION 
• SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 4, 7:30 AM-12PM – SLIDE BREAKFAST @ CRAWFISH JUNCTION. HOSTED BY TWIN RIVER RIDERS

See www.jcsawi.org/calendar-events for upcoming winter events.

 

Photo by Mike Repyak

 

Winter Hiking

Winter hiking is a great way to remain active all year long. Enjoy the calming serenity of the winter landscape in Jefferson County.

• Along the Rock River Trail, Fort Atkinson
• Haumerson’s Pond @550 S. 4th Street E, Fort Atkinson
• The Parks, Recreation, & Forestry Department and the Watertown Unified School District together provide a four-mile trail system for hiking and cross-country skiing. The trail is located on the Brandt/Quirk Park and High School grounds. There is an access point and parking at Brandt-Quirk Park & Watertown High School in Watertown at the north end of both Carriage Hill Drive and Hiawatha Street. The ski trail is groomed for skiing when there is sufficient snow.
• Nordic Skiing & Hiking Trails @ N9084 Co. Rd. H, Whitewater

WINTER HIKING EVENTS

• SATURDAY, JANUARY 20, CANDLELIGHT HIKE & SKI, NORDIC SKIING & HIKING TRAILS, WHITEWATER 
• SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 10, 6-8PM, CANDLELIGHT HIKE, BRANDT-QUIRK PARK, WATERTOWN

 

Andres-Siimon on unsplash

Disc Golf

Disc golf isn’t just for summer! Improve (and Keep!) your skills over the winter. Just be sure to dress warm and in layers and enjoy the beauty of winter!

• 9 hole (par 3-4) course located at Corner of E. Lake Park Place & Pinnacle Drive, Lake Mills is open year-round.
• Lake Mills Rec Department offers disc golf rentals, call for availability at 920.648.8035
• 21-hole Rock River Disc Golf located at 800 Carriage Hill Drive (High School) Watertown is open year-round and is FREE to use!

 

In addition to all of these exciting outdoor winter activities, there are all of the classics, of course. You can make snow angels, build a snowman, construct a snow fort, and roast marshmallows over a fire pit. Before you head out on any of your winter adventures, be sure to check the weather conditions, wear appropriate winter clothing, and always practice safety!