The Conover-Phelps Trail connects its two namesake communities in northern Wisconsin along the former Chicago & North Western Railroad, providing views of woodlands and wetlands along the way. In addition to walking and biking, the trail is open for snowmobiling in the winter.
Beginning on its west end, the trail provides access to Conover Community Park and includes three scenic water crossings in its first few miles. The route currently ends at Song Hill Lane on the outskirts of Phelps.
A future phase will take the trail along County Highway K into downtown Phelps. When complete, the rail-trail will total nearly 11 miles. Even better, the trail is part of a developing 40-mile system of bicycling and pedestrian trails underway in eastern Vilas County.
Parking is available at either end of the trail. On its east end, parking is available near the intersection of County Highway K and Song Hill Lane in Phelps. On its west end, a parking lot and restrooms are available at the Community Park (4679 Park Circle) in Conover.
We run and bike on this trail all the time. It is pretty flat. Crushed gravel. We leave from the current Phelps trailhead and run/bike toward Conover. Typically we are 5 miles out and 5 miles back. My son loves the trail for high school cross country training. It is 2020 now and the last 2 miles to the ice cream store in Phelps still isn’t done. But hopefully soon!
Had a great ride, started in Phelps and ended at the “Boathouse” in Conover, but closed on Monday’s so settled for my bottle of water and carrots.
We had a beautiful day for a ride. We found the trail of crushed stone was packed and easy to pedal. Only complaint is the deer flies! But hey....we are in the Northwoods, so you have to expect some bugs. They weren’t horrible. We just pedaled faster! Wild scenery. Plenty of shade. Loved the wetland irises and other flowers. It was peaceful and quiet. All in all, a good ride. A nice little park in Conover provided a goid picnic lunch spot We will do this again sometime.
Though largely a straight line, this trail has the perfect northwoods mix of of prairie, woodland, and marshland. I wouldn't mind seeing it stay natural as the 2.9 miles as it is and not continue on to Phelps.
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