Red Oak Trail

Dogs Leashed

Features Birding · Fall Colors · Wildlife

This trail is a footpath through the woods at Hunt Hill Audubon Sanctuary. It starts out near the front of the first parking area. The trail is not always obvious, but keep an eye out for the white blazes on the trees and hanging wooden signs with red oak leaves on them to mark the way.

This trail has a great example of a nurse stump, just before you get to the steps that take you to Hunt Hill Road. You’ll need to cross the dirt road to continue on the Red Oak Trail. On the other side of the road, hike through giant ferns, along the edge of a large old growth pine forest, and you may even discover the rattlesnake plantain orchid!

The trick to this trail is the switchback at the giant frost pocket. Once you’re around the frost pocket, stay on the lookout for the old porcupine den tree and the abandoned fox den.

The trail will take you back onto Hunt Hill Road where you'll follow it back to the parking area in the main camp.

Variety of ferns, old growth pines, rattlesnake plantain orchid. Signs of porcupine, deer, fisher, bear, fox, and rabbits have been witnessed on this trail.

This area is part of the Wisconsin State Natural Area program, designated as area #116. You can learn more about the flora of this special area here.