Find Year-Round Outdoor Activities in Greater Green Bay, WI
The contrast of warm and cold seasons in Greater Green Bay, WI, facilitates a spectrum of outdoor activities that keeps locals energized and connected to nature. Known as a nexus for summer watersports and winter skiing, the region provides the best of both – and a bonus. Nearly everything is about a 15- or 20-minute drive away.
“Greater Green Bay is on the smaller side, so you don’t have to go far to truly feel like you’re outdoors. I think there’s great value in that,” says Matt Kriese, a Green Bay resident for 40 years and director of Brown County Parks Department.
Things To Do in Green Bay, WI, in Summer
Each year, the spring and summer sun glimmers over the bay, encouraging folks to get active outside. Many people head straight to the water, renting equipment from local businesses, like Hang Loose Rentals or Kayak Wisconsin, along the way.
“There’s opportunity for just about every kind of water activity you can think of – fishing, boating, river floating, swimming and more,” says Logan Lasee, a Green Bay native and assistant naturalist at Brown County Parks Department. “In most of my free time, you’ll find me on the water.”
There are a few places locals go to enjoy the water, including Bay of Green Bay, Fox River, Lily Lake, Duck Creek Quarry Park or other inland waterways — and oftentimes, they have fishing lines in hand. Anglers travel from all over to catch musky, walleye, perch and smallmouth bass in Green Bay’s waters.
“The Bay of Green Bay, which is essentially Lake Michigan, brings in about $264 million in annual economic impact just for recreational fishing,” Kriese says.
While water access is integral to summer activity, there are plenty of other options, as well. Got a knack for golf? Practice your swing at places like Brown County Golf Course, Hilly Haven Golf Course or Duck Creek Golf Center. Mini golf? Greater Green Bay has a few courses for that, too, like Bay Beach Mini Golf, which offers a waterfront view. Disc golf? Check out Perkins Park. In fact, feel free to bring the whole family to one of the numerous public parks, like Fisk Park and Tank Park, which have splash pads to help kids cool down on warm summer days.
Wherever you go, take a moment to appreciate the community of people gathered. One of the best places to do so is Fox River State Recreational Trail, which stretches 21 miles and threads through five or six local communities along the way.
“You’ll see people from all walks of life using that trail, whether it’s for fitness goals, recreational goals or commuting to and from work,” Kriese says.
Things To Do in Green Bay, WI, in Winter
The winter season brings flurries of snow to Wisconsin, creating a haven for outdoor excursions like cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, ice skating and biking. Not everyone thinks of biking as a winter activity, but Greater Green Bay proves its year-long popularity with properly maintained bike trails that are packed down with sparkling snow.
“Brown County offer 34 miles of cross-country ski trails and 6 miles of fat-tire bike trails for users throughout the winter,” Lasee says.
Most of these trails can be found at Reforestation Camp, a mecca for winter activities in northeast Wisconsin.
“The camp itself offers about 20 miles of professionally groomed ski trails for both classic and skate skiers. We also have two other park areas that offer cross-country skiing – Barkhausen Waterfowl Preserve and Neshota Park,” Kriese says.
Snowshoeing is also welcomed at all three recreational areas. In fact, the Brown County Parks Department allows pets on these trails, understanding that it’s equally important for furry friends to stay active when it’s cold outside.
While water sports experience an understandable lull during the winter, fishing remains. In Greater Green Bay, WI, ice fishing is about as popular an outdoor activity as summer fishing (perhaps because you don’t need a boat), and the activity attracts people from all over the state.
For more of a social excursion, head downtown to skate the human-made ice arena in Titletown each winter. Titletown is a community recreation complex near Lambeau Field, home to the Green Bay Packers. Sun or snow, the complex includes a tubing hill, outdoor games, playground access and a selection of local eateries for a fun day out.
“Between the work, the bills and every other stress in your life, getting outside, whether it’s meeting health and wellness goals or the social aspect of recreating with friends, it’s an integral piece that we all need in our life in some form or fashion,” Kriese says.
This article is sponsored by Your Move Green Bay and the Greater Green Bay Chamber.