Quarry Lake and Harrington Beach Loop

The loop is located within Harrington Beach State Park. You can access various points of the loop from different parking areas within the park. A common starting point would be near the entrance to the Quarry Lake area, where you'll find parking facilities.

Yes, Harrington Beach State Park requires an entrance fee. You will need a Wisconsin State Park admission sticker or a daily pass to enter the park. You can find more details on fees and passes on the official wisconsin.gov website.

The terrain is quite varied, making it interesting for jogging. You'll encounter sections with a crushed limestone surface, particularly around Quarry Lake. Other parts of the park's trail network, which this loop utilizes, feature wide surfaces of grass, sandy soil, and some park roads. While generally flat, some areas may have roots to navigate, and there are slow, gradual hills.

Yes, much of the route is considered accessible and generally flat, making it suitable for beginners. The 1-mile Quarry Lake Trail section, for instance, is universally accessible. While some parts might have roots or gradual hills, the overall difficulty is rated as moderate, and it offers a good experience for those new to jogging on trails.

You'll experience diverse scenery. The loop takes you around the deep, serene waters of Quarry Lake, surrounded by limestone ledges and white cedar trees. You'll also enjoy over a mile of Lake Michigan shoreline with clear views. Other sections wind through white cedar and hardwood swamps, old field grasslands, and prairies, offering a blend of natural and historical landscapes.

Yes, dogs are generally allowed on trails within Harrington Beach State Park, but they must be kept on a leash at all times. Please remember to clean up after your pet to help keep the park enjoyable for everyone.

The loop offers different experiences throughout the year. Spring and fall provide pleasant temperatures and beautiful foliage. Summer is also popular, especially for enjoying the lake views, but can be warmer. Even winter can be an option, though you should be prepared for snow and ice conditions.

Yes, the route combines various paths within Harrington Beach State Park. It utilizes sections of the Service Road Trail, Whitetail Trail, Quarry Lake Loop Trail, Hardwood Swamp Trail, Bobolink Trail, White Cedar Nature Trail, Lakeview Trail, Meadowlark Trail, Quarry Lake Trail, and South Lakeview Trail, among others, to create the full loop.

Absolutely! The Quarry Lake itself is a former limestone quarry that operated until 1925, and you can still see telltale signs of its past operations. Along the Lake Michigan shoreline, you might spot the remains of a 700-foot pier used for shipping limestone in the early 1900s.

In winter, the trails can be covered in snow and ice, especially after fresh snowfall or freezing temperatures. While the park remains open, conditions can be challenging. It's advisable to wear appropriate winter footwear with good traction and check park conditions before heading out.

Yes, Harrington Beach State Park is a recognized eBird hotspot, with over 270 species recorded. The diverse ecosystems, including the lake, shoreline, swamps, and prairies, provide excellent opportunities for bird watching throughout the loop.

The full loop is approximately 6.87 kilometers (4.27 miles) long. For jogging, it typically takes around 48 minutes to complete, depending on your pace and how often you stop to enjoy the scenery.