Things To Do Outside
It’s very important to get outside to maintain physical and mental health. There are plenty of parks and reserves in the Beloit area with room to roam, explore, breath, and stretch your legs. Of course, following the rules of social distancing are necessary if you come upon others while enjoying the outdoors.
Hike and Bike in the Park
If you are looking for safe things to do outside, there are many amazing parks in the Beloit area that offer wonderful trails for walking, hiking, and biking while viewing nature’s beauty.
Big Hill Park
1201 Big Hill Ct.
Beloit, WI 53511
P: (608) 364-2929
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Big Hill Park is one of Beloit’s most scenic sites and is listed on the Great Wisconsin Birding and Nature Trail. This 190-acre park offers the bird watcher a large wooded area along the sandstone bluffs on the west side of the Rock River. The park has a nature trail loop that leads from the bluffs to the river and then follows a former railroad grade. There’s also a scenic overlook with spectacular vistas. During the spring, the Rock River serves as a migratory route for hawks, passerines and waterfowl of all types.
Beckman Mill County Park
11450 S. County Hwy. H
Beloit, WI 53511
P: (608) 757-5451
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Beckman Mill Park features an authentically-restored 1868 grist mill, a dam, mill pond, fish ladder, foot bridge, and walking trails. Normally, Beckman Mill offers tours and grinding demonstrations on weekends May through October. We look forward to those tours resuming.
Click here for a full list of parks
Explore a Nature Reserve
Relax and enjoy the view among stretches of serene greenery at Beloit’s many reserves and nature centers. Enjoy oak woodlands, prairie restoration areas, and wetlands.
Nature at the Confluence
306 Dickop St.
South Beloit, IL 61080
P: (815) 200-6910
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NATC is an outdoor urban ecology center. There are trails for hiking and a spot to launch kayaks. There is also a learning center that we look forward to visiting again soon.
Gabower-Reilly Reserve
6690 W. Cleophas Rd.
Beloit, WI 53511
P: (608) 752-8342
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The Gabower-Reilly Reserve features 28 acres of wetland, prairie, and oak savanna. In addition, Raccoon Creek flows through the area—a naturally reproducing trout stream. There are two miles of trails. Parking is limited.
Click here for a full list of nature reserves
Hit the Course
Golfing is another great way to do things outside. Enjoy fresh air and sunshine while working on your swing. There are rules that need to be followed for safety, but you can still play!
Krueger-Haskell Golf Course
1611 Hackett St.
Beloit, WI 53511
P: (608) 362-6503
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Krueger-Haskell Golf Course is an 18-hole course featuring mature trees and rolling terrain which make it a challenging and enjoyable course for any golfer. The course offers four different tee box settings on each hole, numerous bunkers, doglegs, tight tree lined fairways, and five water hazards.
Attend the Downtown Farmers’ Market
Beloit Farmers Market has been drawing thousands of locals and visitors to the heart of Downtown Beloit since 1974!
This year, due to Covid-19, the Market will be open from 9 am-12 pm, with safety precautions in place to help ensure the safety of all staff, volunteers, vendors and customers. Get more information here.
Get on the Water
Paddling, kayaking, and tubing in Beloit and the surrounding area is amazing! Beloit is halfway on the Rock River Trail and has beautiful landscape and wildlife— perfect for water sports. In addition, Beloit has access to Turtle Creek.
The Surf Shack LLC
Located in Beloit
(608) 910-0679
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The Rotary River Center and John Rose Canoe & Kayak Launch offer kayak rentals. To rent a kayak, simply visit one of the Beloit locations and use the self-serve kiosk for a quick online rental. Paddlers can choose from single or tandem kayaks and will be provided with the essential equipment for a fun adventure, including life jackets and paddles! Click here for more information.
Sugar River Adventures
Located in Rockton
(815) 629-2020
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Sugar River Adventures can help you plan your group outing. Whether it’s a special occasion, team building activity, or group function they are here to make it a great adventure. You will have a blast on your individualized river tubing or kayaking event.
Below are a few places to launch your own kayak or canoe:
John Rose Canoe & Kayak Launch
136 West Grand Ave.
Beloit, WI 53511
Located in downtown Beloit, this riverfront canoe/kayak launch is in a convenient location to enter the Federally-recognized “Rock River National Water Trail.” The site has a small, landscaped river walk which is great for watching ducks and geese.
Nature at the Confluence
306 Dickop St.
South Beloit, IL 61080
P: (815) 200-6910
Visit Website
Schollmeyer Park
2767 East Trail Dr.
Beloit, 53511
The park has a canoe and kayak launch just up the Turtle Creek, a perfect place to paddle down through the Turtle Creek Floodplain Preservation and Park, which has idyllic scenery.
Sweet Allyn Park
7149 S. County Rd. J
Shopiere, WI 53511
Sweet Allyn Park has the best launch to view the Tiffany Bridge located one or two miles up the Turtle Creek.
