Lapham Peak Prairie Trails | Where’s Wildlife

Across the road from Evergreen

The prairie side of Lapham Peak

Brian parked at the Evergreen Shelter area, crossed County Highway C and explored the trails to the west. Every photograph on this page comes from that western part of the property. The scene is one of grassy paths, scattered oaks, wildflowers and wetland edges.

This is part of the Kettle Moraine State Forest — Lapham Peak Unit. “West-Side Prairie Trails” describes the area covered here; the mapped trail network includes the Prairie Path, connecting routes and part of the Ice Age Trail. Signs in Brian’s photographs identify Evans Prairie, Timms Woods and intersections W6 through W14.

The familiar observation tower is on the east side of Highway C, as shown on the park map. That helps explain why a walk through these western prairies can feel very different from a visit centered on the peak. The photographs document this prairie visit, without implying that Brian hiked to the tower or completed one particular loop.

View the park trail map (PDF)

Before you go

Plan a walk on the west side

Getting oriented

The park address is W329 N846 County Highway C, Delafield, WI 53018. Evergreen parking is near the main entrance. Use the trail map and signed road crossing to reach the western network, watching carefully for traffic on Highway C.

Choose a route

The Friends’ map lists the Prairie Path as a 4.5-mile intermediate loop; DNR’s biking and horseback pages list 4.8 miles. Connecting paths offer other options, so check the current map rather than treating either figure as the length of Brian’s walk. Blue “W” markers identify intersections west of Highway C.

Hours & passes

DNR lists hours of 6 a.m.–9 p.m. year-round. A vehicle admission sticker is required. State trail passes apply to bikers, horseback riders and skiers age 16 and older. Review current visitor information and fees before your visit.

Shared trails & conditions

The Prairie Path accommodates hikers, off-road cyclists and horses. Follow the posted yield signs and give horses room. Bring water, sun protection and shoes for grass and uneven dirt. Check current trail availability at 262-646-4421. In winter, keep hiking and snowshoeing off snow-covered ski trails.

Route sources: Friends of Lapham Peak trail guide, DNR Prairie Path information and DNR hiking guidance.

Through Brian’s lens

Prairie paths, oaks & open sky

The paths change from a narrow worn track to wider grassy stretches, sometimes curving toward a single oak and sometimes opening onto a broad prairie view. Benches and shaded edges provide reasons to pause. Select a photograph to open the slideshow.

Narrow trail curves beside a broad oak tree beneath blue sky and white clouds at Lapham Peak — An oak beside the prairie path

Mowed prairie path passes white flowers and tall green grasses at Lapham Peak — Flowers along the mowed path

Narrow dirt track runs along a wider grassy trail toward scattered trees at Lapham Peak — A worn track through the grass

Grassy trail crosses open prairie bordered by white wildflowers at Lapham Peak — A green path across the prairie

Dirt footpath curves past young trees in an open grassy landscape at Lapham Peak — Curving past young trees

Winding dirt track leads through prairie beneath scattered clouds at Lapham Peak — A bend under a wide sky

Wooden bench stands beside a narrow path through prairie flowers at Lapham Peak — A bench along the trail

Grassy trail passes between tall yellow-flowered plants at Lapham Peak — Between tall yellow flowers

Load 8 more prairie photos

Mowed trail descends through rolling prairie toward scattered trees at Lapham Peak — Looking across the rolling prairie

Narrow trail leads toward a small tree under a cloudy sky at Lapham Peak — Following a lone tree

Parallel dirt tracks curve between tall prairie grasses at Lapham Peak — Two tracks through tall grasses

Grassy path approaches trees between tall flowering plants at Lapham Peak — Toward the woodland edge

Narrow dirt trail curves toward a stand of pine trees at Lapham Peak — A curve beside the pines

Trail passes white wildflowers with a large oak in the middle distance at Lapham Peak — Oak and open grassland

Rolling prairie and scattered trees stretch beneath a cloud-filled blue sky at Lapham Peak — Prairie panorama

Yellow goldenrod flowers grow below a broad-canopied oak tree at Lapham Peak — Goldenrod beneath an oak

Names along the way

The Evans Prairie and Timms Woods signs give names to places within the western landscape. The photographed W6 map and W14 marker also help connect the visit to the park’s numbered intersection system. These photographs record signs seen during the visit; use the current map and posted directions when hiking.

Evans Prairie sign stands among tall grasses and purple coneflowers at Lapham Peak — Evans Prairie

Timms Woods sign stands at the edge of leafy trees at Lapham Peak — Timms Woods

Blue W6 intersection marker sits above a Lapham Peak trail map at Lapham Peak — West-side trail map at W6

Trail-sharing sign for hikers, cyclists and horseback riders stands beside a prairie path at Lapham Peak — Share the trail

Blue W14 intersection sign stands amid tall prairie vegetation at Lapham Peak — Intersection W14

Prairie details

Gentians, coneflowers & blazing stars

Cream gentian flowers sit among broad leaves, purple coneflowers hold their heads above the grass, and blazing stars add pink-purple spikes. Goldenrods and asters bring another layer of color. Wild senna’s developing pods and pale Indian plantain’s foliage are reminders that flowers are only part of a plant’s story.

Look at both the close-ups and the wider plant views: the same flower can seem very different when seen against an open prairie rather than filling the frame. Bloom and seed stages change through the season, so a return walk can reveal different details.

Cream-colored gentian flowers cluster among broad green leaves at Lapham Peak — Cream gentian

Pale gentian flowers grow beside a yellow meadow flower at Lapham Peak — Cream gentian among meadow flowers

Pink-purple coneflower petals surround a raised orange-brown center at Lapham Peak — Eastern purple coneflower

Several purple coneflower heads bloom among prairie plants at Lapham Peak — A group of purple coneflowers

Purple coneflower rises above the grass against blue sky at Lapham Peak — Coneflower against the sky

Slender blazing star spike with purple lower flowers rises above prairie grasses at Lapham Peak — Blazing star spike

Pink-purple blazing star flower spikes grow among green grasses at Lapham Peak — Blazing stars in the grass

Long pink-purple blazing star spike bends across green vegetation at Lapham Peak — A flowering blazing star

Load 8 more plant photos

Fine pink-purple florets cover a blazing star spike at Lapham Peak — Blazing star close-up

Separated purple rough blazing star flower heads rise along an upright stem at Lapham Peak — Rough blazing star

Small yellow showy goldenrod flowers cluster along green stems at Lapham Peak — Showy goldenrod close-up

Upright yellow showy goldenrod plumes stand among prairie grasses at Lapham Peak — Showy goldenrod in the prairie

Pale purple smooth blue aster flowers with yellow centers bloom among grass at Lapham Peak — Smooth blue aster

Pale Indian plantain carries branching clusters of creamy flowers at Lapham Peak — Pale Indian plantain flowers

Broad pale Indian plantain leaves spread beneath branching flower stems at Lapham Peak — Pale Indian plantain foliage

Wild senna leaflets and hanging green seed pods grow among meadow plants at Lapham Peak — Wild senna seed pods

A boardwalk & a Green Heron

The western visit also included a wooden boardwalk through wetland vegetation. Broadleaf arrowhead flowers and a Green Heron perched among green stems add a different habitat to the prairie story. Wildlife appearances are individual moments, so leave time to watch quietly and give animals space.

Wooden boardwalk with railings curves through wetland plants toward trees at Lapham Peak — Boardwalk through the wetland

Bench sits beside a wooden boardwalk surrounded by wetland vegetation at Lapham Peak — A pause along the boardwalk

White three-petaled broadleaf arrowhead flowers with yellow centers rise above dark water at Lapham Peak — Broadleaf arrowhead flowers

Green Heron perches on a branch against green wetland vegetation at Lapham Peak — Green Heron

A landscape cared for

Restoration keeps the prairie open

The Friends of Lapham Peak describe ongoing work to remove invasive plants and dense woody growth, collect and sow native seeds, protect oaks and support prescribed burns. These efforts help maintain the variety of prairie and woodland habitats visitors enjoy. Open grassland is a living landscape that benefits from continued care.

Stay on established routes, leave flowers and seed heads in place, and enjoy the small changes between one patch of prairie and the next. Visit the Friends’ habitat-restoration page to learn about their work.

Official and local stewardship resources: Wisconsin DNR Lapham Peak · Hours, admission and trail conditions contact · Park trail map · Friends trail guide. Visitor information checked October 2026; consult current notices before setting out.

Official visitor information Official trail map Back to Places to Explore

Lapham Peak — West-Side Prairie Trails

The prairie side of Lapham Peak