Trails

Superior and Douglas County have trails of all types

Whether you’re on foot, skis, or a bike, Douglas County has plenty of trails for you to explore that highlight the area’s natural beauty. Trail conditions and openings are always changing, especially during the winter and spring months. Be sure to check our recreations report page for updates before hitting the trails!

Motorized Use Trails

Douglas County is home to more than 100 miles of maintained summer ATV trails and over 300 miles of maintained snowmobile trails.  Learn more about our wonderful trail system by following the links –

ATV

Snowmobiling 

Tour Cycling

Millennium Trail
Length: 1.6 miles out and back. 10 foot wide paved trail that meanders through Superior Municipal Forest. Trail difficulty: Easy. Type: Out and back trail. Fee/Pass Required: No. For more information, click here.

Osaugie Trail
Length: 5 miles. Asphalt paved trail along Superior Bay towards the Intersection of Hwy 2/53 to Moccasin Mike Road. Trail Difficulty: Easy. Trail Type: Out and back Trail. Fee/Pass Required: No. For more information, click here.

Mountain Biking

Mont du Lac
Length: 5+ miles. Various single-track mountain bike courses consisting of leg burning climbs and screaming descents. Enjoy gorgeous views of Jay Cook State Park and St. Louis River Valley. Trail Difficulty: Intermediate to advanced. Trail Type: Single track loops. Fee/Pass Required: Yes. For more information, click here.

Pokegama Trail
Length: 6 miles. Obstacle-ridden trail in the Superior Municipal Forest. Trail Difficulty: Intermediate. Trail Type: Single-track. Fee/Pass Required: No. For more information, click here.

Wild Rivers Trails (Barron, Douglas & Washburn Counties)
Length: 104 miles (total). A well maintained, highway-grade compacted gravel and railroad ballast trail that stretches into 3 counties. The trail is rich in natural resources and wildlife habitat. Trail Difficulty: Easy. Trail Type: Gravel former railroad grade. Fee/Pass Required: No. For more information, click here.

Hiking

Historic Old Bayfield Road
Length: 2.25 miles. The trail travels eastward down a hill past some old copper mine sites and then climbs a scenic ridge to pass near the Clevedon fire tower. The trail then continues south and loops back to the parking lot. Fee/Pass Required: No. For more information, click here.

North Country Scenic Trail
Length: 40+ miles. The entire trail stretches 4,600 miles from North Dakota to Vermont and is the longest hiking path in the United States.  The trail passes in the footsteps of native people and fur traders as it crosses the historic Brule-St. Croix Portage. Remote backpack camping opportunities are available. Fee/Pass Required: No. For more information, click here.

Wisconsin Point
Length: 3miles/4.8 km. The Point contains stands of old-growth pine, beach dune communities, and marsh open water habitats creating one of the best migratory bird areas in May and Sept at this intersection of marsh, lake, and woodland. Fee/Pass Required: No. For more information, click here.

Makwa Ziibiins Miikana - Bear Creek Trail
Length: 2.25 miles adjacent to Wisconsin Point. A multi-use, non-motorized trail that features beautiful views of Allouez Bay and Bear Creek.  The trail has 20 boardwalk sections totaling over 700 feet in length with 16 Timber Crossings to protect wetlands, along with two large bridges. Enter the trail just outside the Bear Creek Park parking lot. 

Amnicon Falls State Park

• Thimbleberry Nature Trail
  The 0.8-mile Thimbleberry Nature Trail is the place to observe a variety of trees, flowers, non-flowering plants, birds, and animals. A side spur leads to a pond, which once was a brownstone quarry. A booklet keyed to numbered signposts tells more about the things you'll see. The trail also provides views of the flat part of the river as well as easy access to the river bed about 0.2 miles downstream from the falls. For more information, click here.
• Trails around the falls
  The most popular trail to view the falls is the 0.25 mile trail on the island. This trail gives you viewing access to the three main falls; Upper, Lower and Snake Pit. It also provides viewing opportunities to other smaller waterfalls and pools. An additional 0.5 miles of trail goes up and down the river to view many other pools and cascades. The two river walks are relatively flat and easy. For more information, click here.
   

Pattison State Park

• Big Manitou Falls overlooks
  A pedestrian tunnel takes you from the park's main picnic area under Highway 35 to short trails that give you many views of Big Manitou Falls from both sides of the river. This trail is 0.5 miles long. A self-guiding booklet is available to help you discover more about the geology and history of the falls as you hike. For more information, click here.
• Big Manitou Falls River trail
  This moderately steep wooded trail leads 0.5 miles downhill to the Black River, 0.25 miles downstream of Big Manitou Falls. At the river, the adjacent cliffs give a pronounced view of the Douglas Fault. For more information, click here.
• Beaver Slide nature trail
  This 2-mile trail circles Interfalls Lake. Discover the plants and animals that thrive in the boreal (northern) forest. For more information, click here.
• Little Manitou Falls trail
  This trail continues from Beaver Slide Nature Trail south along the Black River. For more information, click here.
   

Horseback Riding

Brule River State Forest
Length: 14 Miles. Horseback riders can enjoy miles of trails within the Brule River State Forest, including the Brule-St. Croix Snowmobile Trail, hunter walking trails and numerous back roads. Fee/Pass Required: Yes. For more information, click here.

Douglas County Wildlife Area/County Forest
Length: 14 Miles/1,200 miles. The Douglas County Wildlife area has 14 miles of designated horse trails through a gently rolling prairie landscape. Corrals and stables are available for public rental. Riders may share the 1,200 miles of roads and trails meandering evergreen and hardwood forests in the 278,000 acre County Forest. Fee/Pass Required: No. For more information, click here.

Saunders State Trail
Length: 8 Miles. The trail begins near the town of Saunders and passes through several communities. The entire trail is open to horseback riding. The trail is not groomed or surfaced and may be rough or soft in many sections. Riders must share the trail with motorized vehicles. Fee/Pass Required: Yes. For more information, click here.

Tri-County Recreational Corridor (Ashland & Douglas Counties)
Length: 62 miles. The Tri-County Corridor connects the cities of Ashland and Superior via approximately 62 miles of improved railroad grade in Ashland, Bayfield and Douglas Counties. For more information, click here.

Cross Country Skiing

Brule River State Forest Afterhours Trail
Length: 25 km. Afterhours Ski Trail includes an extensive network of some of the region’s finest and best maintained cross-country ski trails for both classical and skate skiing. Various loops provide a variety of terrain suitable for both beginning skiers and those with advanced skills. Fee/Pass Required: Yes. For more information, click here.

Douglas County Trails
Length: 10+ Miles; 4 Loops. Trail Difficulty: Easy. Douglas County grooms and maintains over 10 miles (17 km) of cross-country ski trails between the Towns of Solon Springs and Gordon just off Hwy 53. Trails are groomed during the winter season for classic track skiing. Fee/Pass Required: No. For more information, click here.

Superior Municipal Forest
Length: 36 km, 8 Loops. Trails are tracked and groomed seven days a week, weather permitting, for both skate and classic skiing. Difficulty: Beginning to Advance. Fee/Pass Required: Yes. For more information, click here.

Pattison State Park
When snow conditions permit, the park maintains three trail loops for cross-country skiing. Trail difficulty levels range from beginner to moderate. The loops begin at the campground. For more information, click here.

• Red loop, 2 miles: This beginner-rated trail and can be accessed from the ski trail parking lot in the southwest end of the outside campground loop and offers the flattest terrain.
• Blue loop, 4.5 miles: This trail is more advanced and follows the Black River. It will take you past an old Martin Pattison logging camp site situated along the Black River near Little Manitou Falls. The trail can be accessed from the ski trail parking lot in the southwest end of the outside campground loop and offers several hills.
• Orange loop, 5.5 miles: This is the most advance trail and follows the blue loop for most of the way with a small loop that goes past the ski trail shelter. The trail can be accessed from the ski trail parking lot in the southwest end of the outside campground loop and offers several hills.

Snowshoeing

Amnicon Falls State Park
Length: 1.5 Miles. Trail Type: Loop. Trail doesn’t have access to the river but provides a convenient way to enjoy some of the remote areas of the park in winter. The trail is fairly flat with some steeper segments in and out of the ancient river valley. Fee/Pass Required: Yes. For more information, click here.

Bayfield Road Snowshoe Trail
Length: 2.25 Miles. This trail is historically significant. Along this route the first road between Superior and Bayfield was built in 1870. It was then used to transport freight, mail, and passengers until it was replaced by the railroad in 1885. Fee/Pass Required: Yes. For more information, click here.

North Country Scenic Trail
Length: 40+ miles. The entire trail stretches 4,600 miles from North Dakota to Vermont and is the longest hiking path in the United States.  The trail passes in the footsteps of native people and fur traders as it crosses the historic Brule-St. Croix Portage. Remote backpack camping opportunities are available. Fee/Pass Required: No. For more information, click here.

Pattison State Park
Pattison State Park has a number of informal trails available for snowshoeing in the winter. Fee/Pass Required: Yes. For more information, click here.