 |
Hartman Creek State Park is a popular destination in Central Wisconsin for camping, boating, fishing, mountain biking, and hiking. The Ice Age Trail flows through the Hartman Creek State Park as the easy 6.8-mile linear single track Hartman Creek Segment. This segment connects the Waupaca River Segment to the Emmons Creek Segment. Services such as campsites, showers, water, and restrooms can be accessed by thru-hikers, and day hikers at Hartman Creek State Park.
{tocify} $title={Table of Contents}
$ads={1}
advertisement
 |
| Allen Lake at Harman Creek State Park |
The Ice Age Trail - Hartman Creek Segment is set off from the hubs of activities surrounding the Chain O'Lakes at Hartman Creek State Park. The trail does not directly encounter the lakes or streams which define this area, rather it maintains a secluded distance and is designed for through hikers. Several poorly marked hiking and ski trails intersect with the Ice Age Trail and can be used to access the lakes and camping areas of the park.
I've GPS recorded this trail to be 6.8 miles linear, but that number disagrees with the IATA guidebook which puts it at 5.6 miles. I'm not sure where the difference is. At any rate, I also added a few miles to this hike by taking a ski trail to the Deer Trail which circumnavigates Allen Lake and passes through the drive-in campgrounds.
Thru-hikers will find all that they need at the Hartman Creek Campgrounds: running water, flush toilets, showers, and pleasant forest shaded campsites. Campsites #22-#28 are the most popular and have elevated views of Allen Lake.
Getting on and off the Ice Age Trail at Hartman Creek can be challenging as there is a maze of unmarked hiking and ski trails which intersect the IAT mainline. While this offers numerous opportunities to create loop hikes, it also presents the opportunity to get lost. Have a good park map in hand when hiking this trail.
Heading south through the park the Ice Age Trail cuts through a vast network of mountain bike trails. Stay alert at trail intersection to avoid be plowed over by a biker. Further south the IAT leaves the park boundaries and enters the Emmons Creek Barrens State Natural Area which presents a more challenging set of hill climbs to hikers. Keep an eye out for the endangered Karner Blue Butterfly in the meadows and prairies.
The Hartman Creek Segment finishes out in the Emmons Creek State Fishery at the Emmons Creek Segment trailhead on Stratton Lake Road. Overall, for me this hike was easy as an out-and-back though not very scenic. I enjoyed the adjacent Emmons Creek Segment and Waupaca River Segment more.
 |
| Ice Age Trail Hartman Creek Segment |
Overview: Ice Age National Scenic Trail - Hartman Creek Segment
COUNTYPORTAGE COUNTY
COMMUNITIES
WAUPACA
TOTAL MILES
6.8-MILE POINT-TO-POINT
DIFFICULTY
EASY
LOWEST ELEVATION
940 AMSL
HIGHEST ELEVATION
1110 AMSL
TOTAL ELEVATION GAIN
1410 FT
TOTAL ELEVATION LOST
-1410 FT
CAMPING
Hartman Creek State Park
POINTS OF INTEREST
Emmons Creek Barrens State Natural Area, Hartman Creek State Park, Allen Creek, High Point
NEXT IAT SEGMENT EASTBOUND
EMMONS CREEK SEGMENT
NEXT IAT SEGMENT WESTBOUND
WAUPACA RIVER SEGMENT
Directions and Trail Map
DOWNLOAD PRINTABLE PDF USGS TOPOGRAPHIC MAPKING QUADRANGLE
Click Map Image to load the full interactive map.
Address for your GPS: 9588 Stratton Lake Rd Waupaca, WI 54981
| coordinates:44.301264, -89.242947 |
| From Milwaukee | 2 Hours |
| From Madison | 2 Hours |
| From Green Bay | 1.5 Hours |
| From Wausau | 1 Hour |
| From Minneapolis | 3.5 Hours |
| From Chicago | 3.5 Hours |
Photos
 |
| Ice Age Trail Hartman Creek Segment |
 |
| Ice Age Trail Hartman Creek Segment |
 |
| Ice Age Trail Hartman Creek Segment |
 |
| Emmons Creek Barrens State Natural Area |
 |
| Ice Age Trail Hartman Creek Segment |
 |
| Ice Age Trail Hartman Creek Segment |
 |
| Ice Age Trail Hartman Creek Segment |
 |
| Ice Age Trail Hartman Creek Segment |
Links
Ice Age National Trail Alliance
Ice Age National Trail - National Parks Service
Emmons Creek State Fishery
Emmons Creek Barrens State Natural Area
Hartman Creek State Park