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Following along an old railroad route in northwest Wisconsin, the Wild Rivers State Trail runs for just over 90 miles through Barron, Washburn, and Douglas counties between the cities of Rice Lake and Superior. The surface is compacted gravel in Barron and Washburn counties and rough ballast in Douglas County, allowing for hiking, mountain biking, and horseback riding. ATVs and snowmobiles also use the trail; in winter the trail is open for snowshoeing and cross-country skiing.
About the Route
The trail runs through a remote part of northern Wisconsin, rich in wildlife, graced with spectacular lakes and crisscrossed by babbling brooks and majestic rivers, including the Namakagon, a federally designated river that is part of the St. Croix National Scenic Riverway. From its northern end in Superior, the trail passes through Solon Springs, Gordon, Minong, Trego, Spooner, and Haugen.
Connections
In Spooner, the trail connects with the Shell Lake Trail.
In Tuscobia, the trail connects with the Tuscobia State Trail.
The Wild River State Trail runs between North of County Rd A & E County Rd CS (Ambridge) and W Allen St (Rice Lake).
Parking is available at:
Please see TrailLink Map for more detailed directions.
Great trail!
This was such a nice peacefull and well maintained trail. Most def. using ofton.
This commentary applies to the trail between Rice Lake and Minong. Unless you have masochist tendencies this is not a trail for bicycles of any flavor. As I write this the trail surface is loose, not compacted, gravel and sand. I met a dozen ATVs on the trail but there was no evidence of use by bicycles. After fighting the sand and gravel I gave up and rode County Rode SS and Lakeside Road from Trego to Minong where possible. (Three miles of Lakeside are gravel.) The museum in Spooner is worth stopping to visit. When I stopped one of the retired railroad engineers was on duty and had numerous interesting stories of the days when the trains ran. If you should insist on riding this trail attempt it with nothing less than 2 inch tires. There are facilities at Haugan, Sarona, Trego, and Lampion in addition to Rice Lake, Spooner, and Minong but carrying extra water is recommended. It's pretty country but if I was to do it again I would get a good county map, ride the county roads, and avoid the rail trail.
I would not recommend any tire width less than 1.5". This is a snowmobile/ATV route with very little other use. I live in the area and use the local road system rather that the trail for riding. Even on a Mt Bike it is diffucult to hold a line due to the large rock size used for the trail surface.
Beautiful country, and a good local road system with not to much traffic make the use of the trail by bikes not worth the grief.
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