Nature lovers never tire of exploring the Lake Geneva shoreline because there’s much to see—and plenty to do. Whether you visit annually or are just planning your first getaway to the area, these are five Lake Geneva outdoor activities to work into any itinerary.
Bike: Fuel up with a seasonal latte from Avant Cycle Café before renting a cruiser or an e-bike at this local biz that’s a coffeehouse—and bike shop. The latter can also help with tune-ups and bike accessories if some assistance with your own set of wheels is needed before pedaling over to the Lake Geneva Bike Path that runs alongside the White River.
Camp: Scope out a secluded spot at Big Foot Beach State Park which has five miles of hiking trails and a swim beach. There are sites allocated for tents, trailers and RVs making this locale for Lake Geneva outdoor activities especially appealing for intergenerational family excursions.
Paddle: Explore the lake by kayak or SUP with the family-friendly vessels available from Clear Water Outdoor—located on the pier at Wrigley Drive on Geneva Lake. The outfitter also allows dogs to join their owners out on water so there’s no need to leave your fur baby back at the hotel.
Hike: The Kishwauketoe Nature Conservancy consists of four miles of trails that transverse 231 acres. As the largest watershed on Geneva Lake, the ecological landscape includes marshes, ponds, a prairie, meadow and a variety of native flora. Plant aficionados in particular will enjoy the full moon hikes and monthly plant identification outings with the org’s botanist.
Walk: Take a self-guided tour of the extravagant exteriors of the mansions interspersed along the 21-mile public Geneva Lake Shore Path. The mostly paved trail hugs the shoreline at intervals, then transitions into wooded area for certain segments of the loop. Plus, it is pet-friendly as long as your pup has on a leash for the entire journey.
If you start and/or end any of the above outings in Downtown Lake Geneva, pop into The Farm Stand on West Main Street for a cool beverage, light snack, full lunch—or a few edible souvenirs from the region to take home as mementos of a vacation well spent.
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