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Submission
Hartman Creek State Park is located approximately 6 miles west of Waupaca off State Hwy. 54. A brown recreational hwy. sign will show you where to turn, onto Hartman Creek Road and go 1 1/2 miles to come to the entrance of the park.
Amazing park, lots of walking trails with amazing views. The beach area is very nice and large and the water level is great for kids, doesn't drop off fast. There are canoe, kayak, and paddle boat rentals available at very reasonable prices. The camping is very nice and spread out. There is also a huge group camping area available.
Hartman Creek State Park is one of our new favorite parks! This was our first camping trip here and we're very happy with it. Lots of water activities, including swimming, kayaking, canoeing, Maui mats, paddleboards, etc. Many items are available for rent at the beach concession stand (operated by Adventure Outfitters, LLC), as well as treats and basics.
We hiked about 6 miles, both on the Ice Age trail, and other connections on the return hike. Some of our group also did the easy and medium mountain bike trails. The only only complaint was that it was difficult to get off of the medium before an hour of riding; no connections. There are so many miles of both hiking and bike/hiking trails available here! I'm looking forward to returning again to explore more.
The lakes are just gorgeous. Marl Lake's deep blue color has to be seen to be believed.
Overall, I'd say it's in my top 5 Wisconsin State Parks, along with Devil's Lake, Harrington Beach, Wyalousing, and Governor Dodge.
We just went to the beach for the day but also drove through the campgrounds. We are already planning on camping here next year. We were able to rent kayaks for super cheap, they had a nice concession stand, and the beach was well maintained. While kayaking we got to see an otter, that was really cool! Looking forward to being here for a few days next summer.
Flat, well groomed walking paths. Private campsites. Public bathrooms. Dog friendly however we encountered an off leash dog, which is very unfortunate that people can't follow rules. My dog is leash reactive (meaning he is aggressive towards dogs when he is leashed, oddly he is totally fine with other dogs when he is off leash) so that made for a very uncomfortable experience. The park itself was very clean, well maintained, and peaceful.
Good-sized campsites, most with good privacy (lots of undergrowth). Trails are plentiful and beautiful, and the canoe and kayak opportunities are exceptional! We put our canoe in on Chain Of Lakes on a busy weekend, and even though there were lots of paddlers, it was quiet, easy to navigate and gorgeous. (Tip: If you're traveling with little ones or you need extra quiet, avoid low-numbered campsites, up to site 33, which are on a higher-traffic road.) This is definitely a new favorite--highly recommend!
