The Waterloo-Pickney Trail is a 34 mile one-way trail that runs through Waterloo State Recreation Area and Pickney State Recreation Area. The western terminus starts at Waterloo Township, but you can also start this hike from Silver Lake. The trails passes various glacier features like Eskers and Kettle Lake along with swamps and meadows remaining from abandoned farmlands.
The trail is marked with blue blazes and at points runs along the Potawatomi Trail. The trail is also open to mountain biking and horse riding in certain sections. Hunting is also allowed along the trail, so wearing orange during hunting season is key here.
Camping/Backpacking: Trailside camping is available within designated campgrounds. Please contact the park office for registration information before you camp.
Note: this GPS data provides 30 miles from the western trailhead terminus to Silver Lake since Silver Lake is roughly the final destination for this trail. There are various shortcuts, offshoots, and routes you can take to get to Silver Lake; however, once you cross Crescent Drive, you'll be hiking along the Potawatomi Trail as well.
The trail is marked with blue blazes and at points runs along the Potawatomi Trail. The trail is also open to mountain biking and horse riding in certain sections. Hunting is also allowed along the trail, so wearing orange during hunting season is key here.
Camping/Backpacking: Trailside camping is available within designated campgrounds. Please contact the park office for registration information before you camp.
Note: this GPS data provides 30 miles from the western trailhead terminus to Silver Lake since Silver Lake is roughly the final destination for this trail. There are various shortcuts, offshoots, and routes you can take to get to Silver Lake; however, once you cross Crescent Drive, you'll be hiking along the Potawatomi Trail as well.
