Oak Openings Hiking Trail

Dogs Leashed

Features Birding · Fall Colors · River/Creek · Spring · Wildlife

This trail shares the way from time to time with horses and bikes, so stay alert and share the trail!

This is the only long distance running trail in the area, and while markings can be a little confusing, watch for the yellow and you'll be just fine. You can access the trail from multiple points in the park, and you may hear it referred to as the Scout Trail—this is because in this area local boy scouts have used this trail for over 60 years to earn their hiking badge. It also shares a little more than a third of its length with the incredible North Country Trail (over 4600 miles from North Dakota to NY marked with the triangle blue and white blaze with a star in the center).

Depending on which trailhead you choose, your route will be different, but no matter where you start you'll end up seeing a little of every feature this region has to offer, including sand dunes, lakes, open prairie, deep oak forests, seasonal swamp, aging pine forests, stands of cherry, rare wildflowers, and beautiful curling ferns.

White, red, and pin oaks, cherry, hickory, pine, more birds than I can remember, and unbelievably rare plants can all be found here!