ABOUT OUR TRAILS
South Woods Park has approximately two miles of interconnecting trails open to the public for activities such as hiking, nature study, and nature photography.
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Trails are open year-round although the parking area is not plowed in the winter.
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Dogs on leash are permitted.
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No bikes or motorized vehicles are allowed.
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Trails are natural surface with tree roots, rocks, areas of erosion and muddy spots depending on rainfall.
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The colors used to identify the trail segments do not indicate difficulty.
A .11-mile entry trail from the Union Street parking area leads to the main kiosk with a large trail map.
From there, the .52-mile Blue/White trail segment (1 mile out and back roundtrip) has the least elevation change. This segment includes a bridge over Crystal Creek, a plank crossing toward the far end, and the junction of the South Woods Park and Ripon College Ceresco Prairie trails.
The .28-mile Yellow Trail segment, which also leads off from the main kiosk, loops through Annie Starr Woods. The upper (eastern) and lower (western) portions are both relatively flat, but there is a fairly steep elevation change at the south end of the loop linking the two.
The .28-mile Red Trail, accessed at two points from the Blue/White segment, goes up to the top of the ridge and loops back down. This loop has the greatest elevation change and most challenging footing.
The .38-mile Red/Yellow segment can be accessed from below on the Yellow Trail near the creek, or above from the ridge on the Red Trail. This segment includes a by-foot creek crossing which varies in challenge depending on the season and rainfall.
The .36-mile Green Trail segment can be accessed from above on the ridge from the Red Trail or below from the Red/Yellow Trail west of the creek.
