Photo Credit:  Hiawatha Golf Course

Tomah Outdoor Favorites: The “Best Of” Outdoor Recreation in Tomah, Wisconsin

For those who are interested in outdoor activities, Tomah has plenty of options to choose from. The town is located near the beautiful Lake Tomah, which offers excellent fishing opportunities for bass, panfish, and trout. There are also boat ramps and fishing piers around the lake, making it easy to access the water. Hikers and bikers can enjoy several trails that offer breathtaking views of the surrounding countryside, like the Elroy-Sparta Bike Trail. For those who prefer to spend an afternoon out on the course, Hiawatha Golf Club is perfect for golfing and the nine-hole frisbee disc golf course at Fireman’s Park is a great new addition to Tomah.

Elroy-Sparta Bike Trail
Named Best Bike Trail in the 2024 Best of Tomah Contest, the Elroy-Sparta State Trail is a 32-mile route that winds through five communities, Elroy, Kendall, Wilton, Norwalk, and Sparta. Converted from former railroad routes, the trail leads bikers through three separate train tunnels, the shortest of which is a quarter mile long and the longest three-quarters of a mile long. During the summer the tunnels provide a cool respite from the summer heat for bikers and travelers who are making their way along the trail. The trail passes through wetlands, prairies, farmland, and unglaciated areas making it a great destination for seeing the surrounding countryside and communities. There are several trailheads for parking along the trail, the closest one to Tomah is Wilton, WI and is about an 18 minute drive.

Hiawatha Golf Club
Hiawatha Golf Course offers the best golfing experience in Tomah, as per the 2024 Best of Tomah contest, and features a serene and picturesque setting. This 9-hole course includes well-maintained fairways, fun and challenging greens, and views of the surrounding Tomah countryside. Whether you want to enjoy a leisurely round with friends or family or sharpen your game, Hiawatha Golf Course provides the perfect backdrop for a perfect day on the links. And for those who enjoy a round of frisbee disc golf, Fireman’s Park has a new nine-hole course that can be a fun alternative to the traditional game.

Winnebago Park
Voted Best Playground and Best Park in the 2024 Best of Tomah Contest, a great local park in Tomah is Winnebago Park, which is incredibly kid and family friendly and makes an excellent space for outdoor summer fun. Winnebago Park features two open air pavilions for picnics, an enclosed shelter with a fireplace, and public restrooms. For those who like to have a little friendly competition, there is also a baseball diamond, volleyball courts, the Wonder Hoops basketball court, horseshoe pits, and fitness equipment. Fishing and walking are also welcomed activities with two boat ramps for access to the lake, an accessible fishing pier, and a walking trail. Along with all this, the park features Winnebago Wonderland, a 10,000 sq. ft. wooden playground complete with castles, mazes, slides, tubes, swings (including a parent & tot swing), and many more kid friendly play areas.

The Aquatic Center at Buckley Park
A summer staple in Tomah when the weather gets hot is the Aquatic Center at Buckley Park, voted Best Swimming Pool. The center is perfect for cooling off in the water on those sunny summer days. With a six-lane pool, zero-depth entry area, three water slides, the kids’ favorite polar bear “Pete” slide, diving boards, and a splash pad for children under 48 inches, this is the place to make a summer splash. There are lounge chairs, picnic tables, a pavilion, and a playground area outside the center, so you can spend a whole summer day at the center and the park soaking up the sun and swimming!

Brand New City of Tomah Athletic Complex
Coming Spring/Summer of 2025, visitors and locals alike can make use of a brand new sports complex on Flare Avenue in Tomah! The new City of Tomah Athletic Complex will include one full-sized baseball field with an athletic turf infield and lights, which can host any level up to professional. There will also be one adult softball/baseball field, one practice field, and four batting cages. Along with the new fields, the complex will have a concession stand with a press box and covered picnic tables and on-site bathroom facilities, too. The City of Tomah Athletic Complex will be a wonderful addition to the already long list of favorite outdoor spaces in Tomah. Look for more information on the fields as the grand opening draws closer!