Saukville: Nature, Riverbanks and Living History

Saukville offers a range of themes for your trip: bog landscapes and lakes, a riverfront associated with canoeing and kayaking, and a museum that explores pioneer life. Railroad history is also one of the special features of Pioneer Village. As you plan your vacation, you can consider whether nature, water, or historic buildings should be the focus of your stay.

Bog Landscape and Water

Cedarburg Bog was designated a State Natural Area in 1952. Its features include six remaining lakes and a so-called patterned or string bog. The lakes and the distinctive bog formation give this natural setting its own character. If you are interested in landscapes with bogs and bodies of water, you can make Cedarburg Bog a focus of your trip.

Access to Cedarburg Bog from State Highway 33 includes a trail to a pier on Watts Lake. Along with the lakes and bog, the described access therefore also provides a specific connection to the lake. Nature experiences of this kind offer a different focus from a visit to historic buildings: they direct your attention to the bog, the water, and the landscape features of the area.

Ehlers Park offers another perspective on the water. It has approximately 2,200 feet of shoreline along the Milwaukee River. The riverfront is used as a canoe and kayak launch or access point by several organizations and groups that take part in the annual “Canoe Runs.” For your trip planning, you can choose between the bog-focused nature theme and a stay with a stronger connection to the river. Use of Ehlers Park is specifically associated with canoeing and kayaking and the participating groups.

Pioneer Life and Railroad History

Pioneer life is the focus at Pioneer Village. The living history museum includes more than 24 restored buildings and structures from that era. Rather than focusing on a single building, you can explore a variety of historic buildings and structures there. Gravel paths extend throughout the village grounds, and a driveway leads to the Pioneer Village parking lot. The paths and the many buildings shape the described visitor experience, without indicating any specific visit duration.

Cedarburg Railroad Depot is also part of the historic site. It was relocated to Pioneer Village in the Town of Saukville and restored. A section of track was laid in front of it, and a Milwaukee Road caboose was acquired to complement the historic site. The depot, track section, and caboose add a railroad dimension to the history-focused experience. This is one way the Village stands out—not only for its pioneer-era buildings, but also for this part of its historic collection.

Choose the Right Focus for Your Trip

Find more destination pages for Grafton, Mequon, Belgium, Port Washington, and Cedarburg.

For the broader travel overview: Ozaukee.