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The Fox River State Trail connects Packerland with pastureland as it travels for 24.5 miles between the hometown of NFL’s Green Bay Packers and farming communities south. Named for the river that spawned the city’s industrial heritage, the trail veers from the Fox River after about 5 miles and heads across the eastern Wisconsin countryside.
About the Route
The Fox River State Trail leaves off from its northern endpoint of South Adams and Porlier Streets, where it joins a busy riverfront trail that runs northward for 1.7 miles and passes restaurants, pubs, and a bicycle shop. One block north of the Mason Street Bridge is the old railroad passenger depot (now home to a private business) built of brick and stone in 1898.
South of the old railroad trestle that has been converted into the Porlier Pier for fishing, the trail heads south through the old Porlier neighborhood, where the Victorian-era Hazelwood House has been turned into a museum for the Brown County Historical Society. In another 2 miles, the trail passes the 54-acre Heritage Hill State Historical Park, which interprets the state’s bygone days in period buildings and displays.
At mile 4.3 trail users can explore the dam, locks, and lock tenders’ island at Voyageur Park in De Pere, and then say goodbye to the Fox River as the trail turns away. While the northern part of the trail can be busy, trail users thin out as the route continues south. By mile 7, the trail has moved out of the suburbs and warehouse districts and enters farmland.
After riding on asphalt for 10 miles, the Fox River Trail becomes crushed stone at Lasee Road, although there are asphalt sections farther south.
Four miles later, the trail enters the town of Greenleaf, which offers convenience stores and cafés, as well as the southernmost trailhead at Follett and Klaus Streets. Horses are allowed on gravel portions of the trail south of WI 96, which passes through town.
More services are available in 7.5 miles in Forest Junction, as well as the junction for the eastern segment of the Friendship State Trail, which runs 4 miles to Brillion. The Fox River State Trail reaches its southern end in 2.9 miles at Ott Road.
Snowmobilers are permitted on the limestone portion of the trail in Calumet County and from Man Cal Road north to Fair Road in Brown County.
NOTE: A State Trail Pass ($25 annually/$5 daily) is required for bicyclists, in-line skaters, and horseback riders ages 16 and older. Snowmobilers must display either a Wisconsin registration or a snowmobile State Trail Pass. For information, go to dnr.wi.gov/topic/parks/trailpass.html.
Connections
In Forest Junction, the trail connects to the Fox River Trail.
Trail History
Early settlers used the Fox River for trade, but entrepreneurs in the mid-1800s harnessed the river to power flour and paper mills. The development of one particular paper product in 1901 earned Green Bay the nickname “Toilet Paper Capital of the World.” Heavy industry still has an impact on the city’s economy.
The trail has been well traveled: first by Native Americans, then French explorers and traders, and later by the Milwaukee and Northern Railroad. The Chicago, Milwaukee, St. Paul, and Pacific Railroad took over and ran the line until it sold it to the Soo Line in 1985. Fragments of the route were used until the tracks were removed in 1999 and work began on a trail in 2001.
The Fox River State Trail runs between Porlier St. (Green Bay) and Ott Road (Hilbert).
Parking is available at:
Please see TrailLink Map for all parking options and detailed directions.
We rode the southern portion of this trail in early June 2023. We had hoped to find parking at the southern trailhead. There was only a narrow county road in which to park. We drove North about 2.5 miles and parked by local businesses that paralleled the trail. It also allowed for indoor facilities pre and post ride. Portions of the trail on the very southernmost end are rutted from large equipment, that was likely driven on the gravel when it was wet. It wasn't unrideable, just slow going. We did 15 miles up and back. There was one outhouse about 8 miles north. The trail is well maintained gravel then turns into paved asphalt with another outhouse about 15 miles north.
Very nice trail. The asphalt part is perfect. Going away from green bay it turns to gravel. Not much to see there and you won't run into many people.
If you’ve never ridden the Fox River Trail, give it a try. We picked it up in Green Leaf, where there’s a great parking lot. About 3.5 miles north of Green Leaf, the hard tree covered pea gravel trail, flanked by beautiful spring flowers, turns into a beautiful paved two-lane bike route that meanders through the country-side until it reached DePere, where it winds along the Fox River. Several boat-launches along the route offer flush bathrooms and picnic spots. The path weaves behind stunning homes and gardens that give you the feeling of riding in Holland. What a treasure you folks who live in this area have in the Fox River Trail. We’re looking forward to riding this trail again soon.
About half the trail is crushed stone, but hard and easy to ride. From the northern end to Lasee Road is paved. Very nice along the river.
from forest junction to a little north of greenleaf was well kept gravel wide and hard packed. From that point and north into Green bay it was very well maintained asphalt and farther into the bay it was nice boardwalk, bike shop, coffee shop, restaurants. De Piere to Green bay was a joy, tons of river views, take a camera! Lombardi's grave and house along trail!
Really nice trail with some really great scenery and great photo ops. Flat, long, clean, lots of trail goers (dog walkers, runners, bikers), but not crowded.
Put on almost 60 miles today on this trail start to finish. Tootled around the town of Green Bay for a while too. Love this trail! The paved part is fantastic, and the packed lime stone is great too! When you reach the paved portion your asked to leave $5 for the trail. Well worth it imho. Will return again. Really wasn’t crowded. Since it’s such a wide trail it’s easy to get around ppl.
I started this trail at Forest Junction and road it into Green Bay. It was an excellent trail. I started out on the gravel portion which lasted about half of the journey. Once I got into brown county, there were rest stops and places to purchase your trail pass. Trail passes are only required on the Brown County portion of the trail (I had verified this with a person at the Calumet Couty parks office).
The Fox River Trail in Green Bay WI should be in the Rails-to-Trails Hall of Fame. It’s mostly pavement or cement the fist 11miles, with beautiful parks and gardens along the way. The northern half hugs the river, so cool breezes and intriguing vistas are part of the ride. Businesses along the way put out water for your dog. The south half, although a crushed stone surface just past mile marker 11, is worth the ride to Greenleaf for a scrumptious lunch.
Along side the water, beautiful scenery, and Packers landmarks. Flat, asphalt trail through Green Bay and south. Went under bridges, through the woods, past Vince Lombardi's house, and Curly Lambeau's grave. Nice
trail. No bathroom, though.
On 22 August I rode the entire trail from Ott Road to the Dousman Street/Hwy 141 bridge in Green Bay. The trail was in excellent shape its entire length. On the unpaved portion of the trail I met two walkers and two horseback riders. After the pavement began the number of trail users increase dramatically (it was a Saturday) and care is required. A number of bikers I talked to indicated they did not want to take road bikes on the unpaved portion. Although it had rained two days before, the day I rode the trail was solid and road bikes would not have had a problem. If I have to find something to complain about it is that at the Ott Road end of the trail parking is limited to one or two vehicles. The Ott Road trail head is easy to find. Ott Road intersects Highways 32/57 about three miles south of Forest Junction or about two miles North of Hilbert. The trail head is about a quarter mile East of the junction on the North side of Ott Road.
Made a right onto this trail from Friendship trail in Forest Junction. Rode all the way to Green Bay. Most of it packed limestone chips. Saw many animals close up. Squirrel, deer, chipmunks some of who's homes were right in the trail, and the occasional woodchuck. Trees arched over shading the trail. Trail was entirely level right into Green Bay. Pavement starts at De Pere and continues into Green Bay's beautiful riverfront parks.
Like the trail but once you head out of DePere south there doesn't seem to be any restrooms. Has anyone found anywhere?
We love to walk our 2 year old Goldendoodle on trails. This trail is wonderful! Paved, with a painted center line, it is wide enough to allow passing by without moving off to the side. Great for walking, running, biking, rollerblading, it is smooth and well-maintained. You have a nice view of the Fox River, too. There are trees along the trail, benches in spots if you feel like taking a break and enjoying the view, and a deck for viewing the river. There are also a few businesses and some lovely homes in some spots, but for the most part it is woodsy. There is a second trail alongside this one that has fitness stations for you to try. There is also a restroom stop. Try it, you'll love it! Ample parking in spots make it easy to park and enjoy the trail.
I live in Appleton so I have taken this trail a couple of times. Join/exit the trail at School Rd near Wrightstown. De Pere to Green Bay is very scenic. South of De Pere the trail goes through woods/farm lands. Great, enjoyable trail for the whole family!
The Fox River trail is now continuous from the Green Bay City Trail all the way to Forest Junction Wisconsin. Between Green Bay Downtown and the City of De Pere home owners have embraced the trail and have created some beautiful garden landscapes. All the way along the trail the Brown County staff has been maintaining the trail with a quality that reflects the pride we all feel about this wonderful trail. Anyone that needs to find out how to maintain a trail in a cost effective and proud manner could consider contacting the folks of Brown County Wisconsin
The fox river trail was extended south by about 6 miles in 2006 for a total length of 20 miles. Further southern extensions are underway.
"Watch for heavy traffic on this trail. A lot of cyclists, walkers and inline skaters means you have to concentrate on the traffic around you when using this trail. Otherwise, this is a excellent way to exit the Green Bay metro area going south. "
This trail has now been extended 6 miles south to the Calumet-Brown County line.
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