Kettle Moraine State Forest

Butler Lake Viewpoint–Butler Lake, 3 sights

8.9 mi · ▲ 447 ft · 3 hr 11 min

Butler Lake Viewpoint–Butler Lake, 3 sights is an 8.9-mile out-and-back in Kettle Moraine State Forest near Parnell, WI. The route passes Butler Lake before reaching Butler Lake Viewpoint at the turnaround, 4.4 miles in. It climbs 447 ft. It scores 71/100 on the Ambleway Wildness scale: backcountry feel.

Elevation

0 mi1,037 – 1,293 ft9.0 mi

Getting there

Trailhead: Parnell Tower Trail 43.69766, -88.09007
Nearest town Parnell, WI

Directions

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Butler Lake Viewpoint–Butler Lake, 3 sights

8.9 mi · ▲ 447 ft · 3 hr 11 min

Elevation 1,037–1,293 ft

Out & Back · Kettle Moraine State Forest

Trailhead: Parnell Tower Trail · 43.69766, -88.09007

Weather Sep 20: sunrise 6:38 AM · sunset 6:55 PM

Toilets at the trailhead · Drinking water at the trailhead · Parking lot at the trailhead

  1. Start on Parnell Tower Trail, heading N.
  2. 0.6 miTurn left onto Ice Age Trail, heading S.
  3. 1.3 miTurn right, heading SW.
  4. 50 ftTurn left onto Kettle Moraine State Forest-Northern Unit Main Horse Trail, heading SW.
  5. 0.6 miTurn right onto Ice Age Trail, heading W.
  6. 2 miPass Butler Lake.
  7. 50 ftSharp left onto Butler Lake Loop, heading S.
  8. 50 ftReach Butler Lake Viewpoint, then turn around and head back the way you came.
  9. 50 ftSharp right onto Ice Age Trail, heading S.
  10. 2 miTurn left onto Kettle Moraine State Forest-Northern Unit Main Horse Trail, heading N.
  11. 0.6 miTurn right, heading NE.
  12. 50 ftTurn left onto Ice Age Trail, heading NE.
  13. 1.3 miTurn right onto Parnell Tower Trail, heading N.
  14. 0.5 miArrive back at the trailhead.

Each distance is the walk from the previous step. Tap a step for a map of its junction.

Trail surface

13% dirt87% unspecified

Weather

Sunrise 6:38 AMSunset 6:55 PM

Sunset

The best sunset spot on this hike is 3.7 mi in (~97 min). Leave by 4:58 PM for the 6:55 PM sunset. Back at your car by 8:51 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

More sunset hikes nearby

Good to know

  • Toilets at the trailhead
  • Drinking water at the trailhead
  • Parking lot at the trailhead

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