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Winter Trail at Honey Creek

Complete your 5K on any DNR Property! / Photo Credit: Wisconsin DNR

Happy Little 5K Routes

The Happy Little 5K is a virtual race for the trees. You pick the pace and place to walk, run or roll your way to 3.1 miles anytime between Earth Day and Arbor Day (April 22-26, 2024).

Wisconsin State Parks and Forests are a great place to finish your 5K! Registration is available now at Run For The Trees: Happy Little 5K (RunSignup.com)Now, check out these suggested routes below.

Universal Routes/Trails

These are relatively flat, with many paved or crushed limestone sections. These trails are great for all abilities to complete a 5K. Just head out for 1.5 miles before turning around, walk in one direction for about 30 minutes and then head back. The average adult walks at a pace of 20 minutes per mile.

To view universal trail routes for your Happy Little 5K, view the OutWiGo Happy Little 5K Map Routes page.

The following are fantastic State Park route recommendations:

Copper Falls State Park
Meadow Trail – This 1.5-mile loop trail is gently rolling and winds along a forest- perimeter. Park at the Loon Lake parking lot and take the loop twice to run the entire 5K.

High Cliff State Park
Red Bird Trail – 1.5 mile loop. To complete the 5K, run the loop twice! You can hop on the trail at either Indian Mound Trail Head or the Tower parking lot. 

Mirror Lake State Park
Check-in at the park office for directions to the 5K route. This is the same route as the October S’More Fun Trail Run – get your practice steps in early.

Pattison State Park
Start the run on the Little Manitou Trail and complete the Beaver Trail loop before returning along Little Manitou for a full 5K.

Potawatomi State Park
South Road Loop – This route follows S Norway and Shoreline Roads to complete a 5K loop before finishing at the Picnic Shelter. Find your starting location where the Ice Age Trail crosses Shoreline Road. Head south on Shoreline Road. Once you reach your starting point, continue on the paved trail to complete the loop before finishing at the Picnic Shelter.

Rib Mountain State Park
Road to Rib Mountain – Start at the base and run the road to the top and back to complete a 5K. Parking is available just east of the park property.

Wyalusing State Park
White Tail Meadows Trail – a 3.1-mile loop. The loop starts at the Huser Astronomy Center Parking Lot. Relatively flat, traveling through meadows and woods. Enter the park on State Park Lane off County Road X.

FOR LOCAL TRAILS where you can Run For The Tree’s click this link ICORE TRAILS