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 Whether your passion is hiking, cross-country skiing, running, cycling, snowmobiling or horseback riding there is no better place to experience well groomed trails amidst rustic scenery then those surrounding Palmyra.
The John Muir and Emma Carlin Trails along with other scenic trails are nestled within the heart of the Kettle Moraine. They offer a way to experience nature at its very best. Be aware that trails may vary in difficulty as steep climbs or descents may be encountered. Some trail surfaces can become slippery when wet, leaf covered, or where loose gravel may have collected. Appropriate clothing and shoes are a must!
Horse enthusiasts will enjoy “Horsemen’s Park,” located just one mile south of Palmyra on Little Prairie Road. The campground has 56 completed sites that are open only to campers with horses. The camp also offers parking for day riding, group fire pits and a pavilion where water and toilets are provided. Call toll-free for reservations at (888) 947-2757 or visit www.reserveamerica.com . This is an excellent place to camp, ride and share stories while relaxing around an evening campfire.
A thirty-mile segment of the Ice Age National Scenic Trailand shelters are located on Palmyra’s doorstep. The closest accesses are off of Highway 67, near the intersection of County Road X and Highway 59, east of Palmyra. Vehicles may be parked in the parking lots or anywhere the Ice Age Trail crosses the road, as long as the vehicle is not blocking the trail and is out of traffic. An admission sticker is required in all parking lots where it is stated that a sticker is needed. Shelters are provided for backpackers using the Ice Age Trail. Three reservable, overnight, backpacking shelters are available year round within the Southern Unit of the Kettle Moraine State Forest. For more information or to reserve a shelter call the Forest Headquarters at (262) 594-6200.
The Palmyra Village Park is a twelve-acre facility equipped with newly constructed horseshoe pits and updated playground equipment along with a large existing sandbox, tennis, basketball and volleyball courts. The baseball and softball fields have bleacher seating and are home for both youth and adult leagues. A pavilion with an attached kitchen can be rented for a small fee for either an individual or group event and can be reserved though the village clerks office at (262) 495-8316.
The downtown mini-park with shade trees, picnic tables and parking lot is conveniently located one block south of Main Street at the corner of Wilson and Second Street. It’s the perfect place to leave snowmobiles or horses while their owners enjoy shopping and eating in downtown Palmyra.
The Carlin Weld Park is located two miles northeast of Palmyra on County Road Z and covers 78 acres of woods and prairie. The park area has steep kettles and a man-made pond ideal for fishing, ice fishing and ice-skating. The trails are developed for non-motorized recreation. The park area includes a playground area, rest rooms, and a picnic shelter area with picnic tables, grills and a nearby pump house. To reserve a shelter or for more information call (920) 674-7260.
Blue Spring Lake
Blue Spring Lake is located a mile and a half south of Palmyra on County Highway H. This lake was formed from an Aurelian Spring that was thirty feet deep and about fifty feet across the surface and so perfectly transparent that the smallest bright particle could be seen at the bottom. The steep, natural sides of the great cauldron, in which this spring boiled was a perpetual tumult of surging ripples and moving sand, encased in living green mosses and waving ferns.
The lake is still mostly spring fed with an outflow feeding Spring Creek on the west end of the lake. The average depth of the lake is seven feet with a maximum depth of twelve. The water temperature varies between 40 degrees in the winter and 78 degrees during the summer months. Public access parking is only permitted on the west side of Blue Spring Lake Blvd. off County Road H, with one paved public access on the east side of the lake.
The lake is completely developed with residential homes and has been stocked with bass, pan fish, northern pike, crappies, yellow bullheads and bluegills. Fast boating is restricted to certain hours, which are posted on the backside of the welcome sign, otherwise slow no wake is required. Between May 15th and October 1st mechanical weed harvesting operations take place daily.
A special July 4th Family Parade takes place every year and includes the fire trucks, decorated bikes, floats and hundreds of people parading down North Blue Spring Lake Drive. This parade brings back memories of years gone by.
Lower Spring Lake
Lower Spring Lake located between Highway 59 and Anemone Street in Palmyra is a cool and refreshing spring fed lake with a hundred and fifty feet of sandy beach. A beach house with changing areas, lockers, restrooms and showers together with a concession stand that sells a variety of soda, candy and ice cream is located at the edge of the public parking lot. At the opposite end of the beach area is the Lions Club covered shelter with picnic tables and play equipment for the younger crowd. This large open building is open to the public all year, and can be rented for a twenty-five dollar deposit, for family gatherings, company picnics and organizational outings. The beach also accommodates a variety of new playground equipment including slides, swings and a merry-go-round to keep the young at heart busy between dips in the lake.
A Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources boat ramp and parking lot is located just east of the village limits on Highway 59 where boats are launched for recreational use and fishing. Bass, sunfish, bluegills and northern (stocked over the years by the local Lions Club) are among the fish most often caught during the summer months, but also while ice fishing in the winter.
In June the Wisconsin DNR sponsors a free fishing weekend on all lakes, rivers and streams. The Palmyra Lions Club holds a fishing clinic on this weekend to give people of any age the opportunity to enjoy the wonderful sport of fishing. For more information on the weekend’s activities log onto www.dnr.wi.gov. or contact the DNR at 608-266-2272.
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