TRAILS
We want to welcome you to come and ride!
Enjoy our Trails Year-Round!
GANDY DANCER STATE TRAIL -
This 98-mile, interstate trail crosses into Minnesota and then back again into Wisconsin on its way from St. Croix Falls to its connection with the Saunders State Trail just south of Superior.In Wisconsin the trail is maintained and managed by Polk, Burnett, and Douglas counties. The Minnesota DNR manages the section of the Gandy Dancer trail in Minnesota.
Built on a former railroad corridor, the trail is named for the work crews who laid the railroad tracks. The crews used tools made by the Gandy Tool Company of Chicago. The crews were known to work by keeping their voices and the movement of their feet and tools in harmony. This manner of work led the crews to become known as "Gandy Dancers."
The Gandy Dancer State Trail is divided into a northern segment and a southern segment. Trail uses for the two segments are also divided. Most of the year the southern segment allows only non-motorized recreation on the trail, while the northern segment offers motorized recreation year-round.
Gandy Dancer State Trail Map [PDF 1.6MB]
Southern Segment
This segment of the Gandy Dancer trail begins in St. Croix Falls, near Interstate State Park. This segment travels for 47 miles in Wisconsin through the communities of Centuria, Milltown, Luck, Frederic, Siren and Webster, ending in the town of Danbury at the Minnesota border.
The southern segment is surfaced with crushed limestone. A small section of the trail near the Polk County Information Center is paved with asphalt. The trail tread is suitable for walking, biking, snowshoeing and cross-country skiing. Snowmobiles are allowed on this segment from December to March provided there is at least six inches of snow covering the trail. All-terrain vehicles are not permitted on the southern segment at any time.
Camping is available at Governor Knowles State Forest and Interstate State Park, as well as at several private campgrounds along the trail. The western end of the Ice Age National Scenic Trail is also at Interstate State Park.
Historical points of interest along the southern segment include Forts Folle Avoine and a restored railroad depot and museum in Frederic.
Forts Folle Avoine Historical Park is 2.5 miles west of the trail just off of County Highway U, about halfway between Danbury and Webster. The park is a reconstruction of a fur trading post and sits on the banks of the Yellow River at the same site of the original fort.
The southern segment of the Gandy Dancer trail ends just outside Danbury. Here a 520-foot trestle crosses the St. Croix National Scenic Riverway into Minnesota.
How to Get There
The southern segment of the Gandy Dancer trail follows the route of State Highway 35. There are parking, trail access points, accommodations and services in St. Croix Falls, Centuria, Milltown, Frederic, Siren, Webster and Danbury. Additional parking and restrooms are also available at several places along the southern portion of the trail. The Polk County Information Center is at the junction of highways US 8, State 87, and State 35 and the trail.
The northern segment of the trail in Wisconsin has parking and trail access in Superior.
Trail Passes
A state trail pass is required on some sections of the trail. You can buy annual and daily passes from designated vendors along the trail, and at the Polk County and Burnett County tourism centers.
CATTAIL STATE TRAIL -
The Cattail State Trail travels for 17.8 miles on a former rail corridor between the communities of Amery and Almena in northwestern Wisconsin. Forests, farmlands, prairies, hills and various wildlife habitats surround the trail, which also passes through the village of Turtle Lake. The trail is maintained and managed by Polk and Barron counties.Cattail State Trail Map [PDF 220KB]
The Cattail State Trail is open year-round to a wide-variety of uses. Trail uses include walking, mountain biking,wildlife viewing, horseback riding and snowmobiling. All-terrain vehicles are allowed on the trail year-round. Off-road motorcycles are allowed on the trail year-round in Polk County only.
As a multi-use trail, the Cattail State Trail may bring a number of different users to the trail at the same time. It is important to use good trail etiquette to ensure the enjoyment and safety of all trail users.
How to Get There
From the east or west take U.S. Highway 8 into Turtle Lake or Almena. The trail is near Highway 8 in both communities. The trailhead in Amery is near Highway 46. Take Highway 46 south from Highway 8 into Amery. From the north or south, take U.S. Highway 63 to its connection with Highway 8 just outside of Turtle Lake.
Where to Stay
Accommodations and services are available year-round in Amery, Almena and Turtle Lake. Rest rooms are available at the Amery trailhead.
Additional Information
Barron County has an extensive network of ATV routes and has opened a trail that connects with the Cattail, east from Almena to the village of Poskin. The connecting trail is on private land, please stay on the trail and respect property boundaries.
About 2.5 miles east of Almena, Barron County has developed an ATV intensive use area. There is a trail head with rest rooms available. Both ATV and snowmobile routes pass through the area and can use the trailhead. Turtle Lake will have restrooms and rest area, along the trail, available in the spring of 2010.
Cattail Trail Days are held in Amery the first weekend in June.
The southern end of the 98-mile Gandy Dancer State Trail is near the Cattail State Trail in Polk County.
WILD RIVERS STATE TRAIL -
The Wild Rivers State Trail stretches 104 miles through Douglas, Washburn and Barron counties in northwest Wisconsin. The Wild Rivers trail is maintained and managed by each of the three counties it passes through. The trail, following a former railroad corridor, begins just south of Superior, near the intersection of County Highway C and County Highway A, and passes through the communities of Solon Springs, Gordon, Minong, Trego, Spooner and Haugen, ending in Rice Lake.
The Wild Rivers trail is surfaced with highway grade compacted gravel in Barron and Washburn counties and with rough railroad ballast in Douglas County, allowing for the trail to be open year-round to a wide-variety of uses.
Walking, jogging, bird watching, bicycling, horseback riding, all-terrain vehicle use, snowmobiling, snowshoeing and cross-country skiing are all recreation opportunities visitors to the Wild Rivers trail will find. Contact the county operators with any questions on availability or dates for the different trail uses.
How to Get There
Traveling north from Rice Lake, the Wild Rivers trail follows the route of State Highway 53. Barron County has access points to the trail with parking and pit toilets available at both the Tuscobia trail junction on Highway SS and at the junction of Highway SS and State Highway 53.
Washburn County has parking and trail access points available in the communities of Sarona, Spooner, Trego, and Minong. In Douglas County there are access points in the town of Gordon and at the northern trailhead just south of Superior.
Where to Stay
Accommodations and services are available year-round in Rice Lake and points into Washburn and Douglas Counties.
STOWER SEVEN LAKES STATE TRAIL -
This county-operated, 14-mile trail runs from Amery nearly all the way to Dresser. Built on a former railroad corridor, the trail begins at Harriman Avenue in Amery, travels through Deronda, Wanderoos and Nye, ending about one mile from Dresser on 90th Avenue.
The trail is named to recognize the exceptional natural resources the trail traverses and the longtime public service and leadership demonstrated by Amery’s own Harvey and Marilyn Stower. Harvey Stower served in the Wisconsin Legislature and as Mayor of Amery for many years.
The trail has been brushed and graded. The surface is a combination of grass, ballast, and gravel, and is presently open for foot travel including walking and snowshoeing.The trail is currently under construction to upgrade the surface to better serve bikers and walkers alike. Construction was complete in the summer of 2010.
The trail is not maintained for cross-country skiing, but skiers may use the ungroomed trail.
ATVs, snowmobiles and other motorized vehicles are prohibited on the Stower Seven Lakes State Trail.
Stower Seven Lakes Trail Map [PDF 1.2MB]
Access to other Trails:
WINTER TRAILS IN THE ST. CROIX AREA
BALSAM BRANCH CROSS COUNTRY SKI TRAILS -
Located in Amery, WI and has 11km of trails groomed for classical and skating. Trails can be skied in either direction. It resides on both Polk County land and private property. It is managed by the Nordic Ski Club of Amery. Other partners include Polk County of Parks, Wapogasset Lutheran Bible Camp, D.D. Kennedy Environmental Area, Nordic Ski Club of Amery.
Facilities: Parking. Food, lodging nearby
Fees: None
Info: (715) 268-7565 or 268-2920
Directions: From St. Croix Falls, take Hwy. 8 east to 150th St. Go south on 150th St. to 120th Ave. Turn left (east) on 120th Ave. and continue past Kennedy Mill to Trail Head on the right.
BRANDT PINES SKI TRAIL -
Located in Grantsburg, WI. The trails are gentle to moderately rolling and run through woodlands. They are designed and constructed specifically for cross country skiers, these trails are also used by backpackers and hikers in the summer months. Dogs are not permitted on the trails.
It is owned by the Wisconsin DNR-Governor Knowles State Forest and managed by Wisconsin DNR.
Facilities: Parking
Fees: None. Skiers are requested to register/sign-in at the trailhead
Info: (715) 463-2898
Directions: From Grantsburg drive 1 ? miles west on Highway 70. Turn right/north at Larsen Rd. and drive 6 miles to the trailhead.
COON LAKE TRAIL -
Located in Fredric, WI and has 5.3km groomed for skating and classical with segments of easy and intermediate difficulty and one series of steep, more difficult loops. It is owned by the Village of Frederic and managed by the Viking Ski Club of Frederic and partnerships include local volunteers.
Facilities: Parking. Food and lodging nearby
Fees: Donations
Info: (715) 327-4294, 800/222-POLK
Directions: 2 blocks east of Hwy 35, east side of Coon Lake on Ash Street.
Website: www.polkcountytourism.com
For More Information on Northwest WI Cross Country Skiing, please visit - www.norwiski.com
