Price County Hot

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Tuscobia State Trail

The Tuscobia State Trail is a 74-mile, multi-use, rails-trails conversion that spans four counties in northern Wisconsin. It was once the Omaha Line and for seventy years it was the transportation backbone of the region’s logging and farming industries. It took 15 years to build the line between Rice Lake and Park Falls. When it was completed in 1914, it quickly became the best way to transport pulpwood to the burgeoning Flambeau Paper Mill in Park Falls. But times changed. By the mid-50s the line was abandoned in disrepair. In 1968, development of the Tuscobia State
Trail began.

While the full length of the trail is 74 miles, only 62 miles are open to ATVs. The westernmost 12 miles of the trail, from Rice Lake to Birchwood, are closed to ATVs. Despite that, the trail from Birchwood east to Park Falls offers some terrific scenery and plenty of ATV adventures. With six towns along the route, lodging, food and fuel are readily available.

In Park Falls, a large parking area is located at the Park Falls-Tuscobia Trailhead County Park, which has an ATV loading ramp. The city of Park Falls is ATV friendly; riders can travel through town on posted roads. If you like camping, Smith Lake County Park & Campground just west of the city has direct access to the trail. Located on the shores of the Flambeau River, the park offers year-round electric hookups, flush toilets and showers April
through October, and an ATV loading ramp.

Park Falls is a district headquarters for the nearby Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest. At the district office, (1170 4th Ave S), you can pick up a map showing the forest roads and trails posted for ATV use.

Heading west on the Tuscobia State Trail, you’ll encounter varying terrain from thick forest sections to open expanses that cross creeks and streams that are tributaries of the Flambeau River. Crossing into Sawyer County, you’ll hit a spur trail running south 40 miles into the Flambeau River State Forest.

Back on the Tuscobia, the next two little towns are Draper and Loretta where food and fuel are available. Here, the old railroad bed on which you ride is ever present – beneath the sod of the trail you can still see the old railroad ties. The trail cuts southwest, crossing the Brunet River on its way to Winter. Stop to check out the river, known for its musky and trout fishing. Food, fuel and lodging are available in Winter (www.winterwi.com). You might want to check out the original railroad station downtown to catch a glimpse of the golden age of the railway in northern Wisconsin.

From Winter, the trail runs west to meet the Chippewa River at Ojibwa. Just before reaching town, Ojibwa Park (715/266-5923) offers 350 acres of heavily wooded land with campsites and electric hookups. For those traveling the Tuscobia’s entire 62 miles, this marks the halfway point. In Ojibwa, just south of the trail, history buffs might take note of a large white house. Once a hotel that was built in the 1870s, it is the oldest standing building in
Sawyer County.

From Ojibwa, the trail follows the Chippewa River to Radisson – a particularly pretty stretch offering some great views of a wild river. From Radisson, the trail parallels Hwy 27/70 to Couderay where it breaks southwest diving deep into miles of lush, green forest on its way to Birchwood. This 17-mile section crosses the Blue Hills, remnants of an ancient mountain range that towered above northern Wisconsin a billion years ago.

Birchwood is the end of the ATV line on the Tuscobia State Trail. (Note: riders can cross the bridge to the west side of the Red Cedar River to connect with trails headed north.) From here, hikers on the Ice Age National and State Scenic Trail fill the last 12 miles of the Tuscobia to its western terminus at Rice Lake.

• DISTANCE: 62 miles one way from Park Falls to Birchwood.
• DIFFICULTY: Easy.
• TRAILHEAD LOCATION(S): In Rice Lake and in Park Falls.
• SEASON: April 15 to November 15.
• OTHER TRAILS IN THIS REGION: Wild Rivers State Trail, Flambeau Trail System, Flambeau River State Forest Trail, the Pine Line Trail, Georgetown Trail, and Dead Horse Trail.
• NOTE: The Tuscobia is closed to ATV use from Rice Lake to Birchwood. Traveling on posted roads in Park Falls is permitted; signs will indicate designated routes. Headlights and taillights must be on within the city limits. Drivers and passengers under the age of 18 must wear a helmet.
• CAUTION: Trail is open to other outdoor enthusiasts. Please use caution and good trail etiquette to ensure the enjoyment and safety of all trail users.
• FEES: None.

FOR MORE INFORMATION:
Friends of the Tuscobia Trail
800/762-7179
www.tuscobiatrail.com
Park Falls Area Chamber of
Commerce
800/762-2709
www.parkfalls.com
Price County Tourism
800/269-4505
www.pricecountywi.net
Winter Area Chamber of Commerce
800/762-7179 or 715/266-2204
www.winterwi.com

Flambeau ATV Trails

Rolling through the Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest in north central Wisconsin, the Flambeau ATV Trail System offers some of the most scenic riding in the state. These trails are a favorite with ATV enthusiasts. Throughout the system you’ll ride tree-lined corridors through rolling terrain. You’ll cruise past some of the 98 lakes, 45 streams and three major rivers in the county. And with three other interconnected trails and trail systems in the area – the Flambeau River State Forest trail system, the Tuscobia State Trail and the Dead Horse Run trail – the riding options are nearly endless.

In addition to the natural splendor that waits around every bend, there are several must-see attractions unique to this corner of Price County.

Starting from the Blockhouse Lake trailhead/parking area, you’ll cruise through the thick forest on Trail 111. Just beyond the parking area, you can head south toward Sugar Bush Road and the southern parts of the trail, or continue east toward Camp Nine Springs. The Nine Springs Trail is a one-mile loop just south of Trail 111 reserved for experienced riders. This rolling and rocky trail follows an esker, which is a ridge formed by the last great glacier that scoured Wisconsin 10,000 years ago.

From Nine Springs, Trail 111 runs east across Springstead Creek at its intersection with Trail 107 just west of Round Lake. Follow Trail 107 to a parking area near the Round Lake Logging Dam. You’ll have to park your quad and walk about 1/8 mile to view this restored 1800’s logging dam. The site includes an interpretive center and walking trails. Originally constructed in 1878, then completely restored in 1995, the Round Lake Dam is typical of the dams built by loggers to sluice their logs downstream each spring.

Back on your quad you can stay on Trail 107 to visit resorts in the area on Round or Pike Lakes. These are popular vacation lakes with many dining and lodging options. You can double back on Trail 107, or exit the area west on Trail 101. At the intersection of Trail 101 and 111, you’re near the Smith Rapids Covered Bridge. A short ride on Trail 101 brings you to Trail 112. Go north on 112 for one mile and park your ATV at the Smith Rapids Horse Trail. It’s then a short walk to the bridge. Constructed in 1991, it’s one of just three covered bridges in the state. The bridge uses an attractive diamond-shaped truss pattern called the “town lattice.” The bridge spans the south branch of the Flambeau River.

From Smith Rapids, Trail 101 parallels Hwy 70 all the way to the Wintergreen parking area. Or, you can backtrack to Trail 111 to access Trail 121, the southernmost trail in the system. Follow 121 to the Sailor Lake Campground & Picnic Area, which offers direct ATV access, a picnic shelter and 20 campsites. Many ATVers use Sailor Lake as their base camp.

From Sailor Lake, head north via Trails 102, 101, 103 and 104 to Trail 111 and the parking area east of Blockhouse Lake. Or continue west on Trail 111 back to Park Falls.

Two other Price County attractions are of interest. In Phillips, 18 miles south of Park Falls on Hwy 13, marvel at the fanciful folk art creations at Wisconsin Concrete Park (800/269-4505, www.friendsoffredsmith.org). Twenty miles further south, near Ogema, you can climb the observation tower atop Timm’s Hill, the highest spot in Wisconsin at 1,951.5 feet above sea level.

• DISTANCE: 70 miles.
• DIFFICULTY: Moderate.
• TRAILHEAD LOCATION(S): In addition to trailheads in Park Falls and Fifield, there are five parking areas on the trail system: the Wintergreen parking area on Hwy 70 near FR 136 (parking pass required); Sailor Lake Campground (parking pass required); at Blockhouse Lake; at Round Lake (parking pass required); and on Hwy 182 near FR 149.
• SEASON: May 1 to March 14.
• OTHER TRAILS IN THIS REGION: Dead Horse Run, Tuscobia State Trail, Georgetown ATV Trail, Flambeau River State Forest Trail, Pine Line Rail Trail.
• FEES: For some parking areas, a parking pass is required. A daily parking pass ($5) can be purchased at the parking areas, or an annual sticker can be purchased at the C-NNF office in Park Falls or at certain area businesses.
• CAUTION: The Camp Nine Springs trail is suggested for experienced riders only. Use caution when traveling this rolling and rocky trail.
• AREA ATTRACTIONS: Round Lake Logging Dam, Smith Rapids Covered Bridge, Wisconsin Concrete Park, Timm’s Hill County Park.

FOR MORE INFORMATION:
Price County Tourism Department
800/269-4505 or 715/339-4505
www.pricecountywi.net
Park Falls Area Chamber of
Commerce
800/762-2709 or 715/762-2703
www.parkfalls.com

Georgetown Trail

• ATVs, Dirt Bikes & Off-Road Motorcycles
• Open May 15 to March 14
• Easy to Moderate

The Georgetown Trail is a newer trail located on the Price County Forest west of Phillips and allows ATVs as well as dirt bikes and off-road motorcycles. The trail is 15.8 miles long, with a gravel surface, and meanders through a variety of different forest types. It is an out and back trail with parking areas located at both the north and south ends of the trail. The parking areas have unloading / loading ramps and ample room for parking. There are no bathrooms or other amenities at either of the parking areas; however, there is road route access to some businesses on both ends of the trail. The north parking area is located west of Phillips on Carpenter Creek Road. From Hwy. 13 in Phillips go 10 miles west on County Hwy. W and then about 1 mile south on Carpenter Creek Road. The south parking area is located on Fairview Road north of Kennan. From the U.S. Hwy. 8 and County Hwy. J intersection, go west on U.S. Hwy 8 approximately 2 miles to Fairview Road, then north 3 miles on Fairview Road to the parking area. Other activities permitted on this multi-use trail include hiking, biking, snowshoeing, and horseback riding. It can also be used for hunting.

Please note that the Georgetown Trail is not groomed during winter.

The Pine Line

• Open to ATVs early-December thru March 31, 2009
• Easy to Moderate