Wild Rivers State Trail

One of the longest trail systems in the state, the Wild Rivers State Trail traverses three northwestern Wisconsin counties. The 104-mile trail is a former Omaha and Soo Line Railroad grade that parallels US Hwy 53 from Rice Lake to Superior.

Located in the Red Cedar Valley of Wisconsin, Rice Lake is a hotbed of outdoor recreation. The southern trailhead is located near Hwy 48 and Cty SS. Three miles north of town, the Wild Rivers State Trail connects with the Tuscobia State Trail. While it might be tempting to take the Tuscobia east, ATV use is prohibited from Rice Lake to near Birchwood (about 10 miles).

The Wild Rivers Trail continues north following Cty SS as it crosses to the west side of Highway 53 through the town of Haugen and into Washburn County. It’s an easy ride into Sarona, where you can make a quick pit stop for gas. North of Sarona the trail meanders along Hwy 53 for a few miles before veering northwest into deep forest sections. Riders will enjoy the wide sweeping turns and spectacular views. If you’re lucky, you might catch a glimpse of deer and other wildlife.

In Spooner you’ll find plenty of food and lodging choices. Off the 4-wheeler, you can tour the Tommy G. Thompson State Fish Hatchery (715/635-4147) or the Railroad Memories Museum (715/635-3325, www.spoonerwi.com). If you’re a real railroad buff, you might like a train ride aboard the Wisconsin Great Northern Railroad Excursion Train (715/635-3200, www.spoonertainride.com).

From Spooner, the trail cuts back to the northeast around the northern edge of Spooner Lake. An easy ride brings you to Trego and the Namekagon River, which is part of the St. Croix National Scenic Riverway. Be sure to stop on the bridge north of town to take in the vista of the rolling, winding waterway. 

Heading north, the trail winds past Lampson skirting the eastern shore of Silver Lake on the way to Minong. Just south of town the Wild Rivers meets the Stony Brook Trail, a new 22-mile trail developed by the Minong ATV and Snowmobile Club. The trail connects the Wild Rivers State Trail with Sawyer County trails to the east.

Leaving Minong, the Wild Rivers Trail continues north past Wascott and Gordon to Solon Springs in Douglas County. Solon Springs marks the north/south watershed between the Lake Superior basin and the Mississippi River basin. From here, the St. Croix River tumbles southwest 200 miles to meet the Mississippi at Prescott. In the marshes just north of town, the Bois Brule River begins its run in the opposite direction – north to Lake Superior through the 48,000 acres of the Brule River State Forest (715/372-5678, www.wiparks.net).

In Solon Springs, riders can take a small spur trail that heads east to a gas station and restaurants. The trail terminates at the St. Croix Inn with access to Upper St. Croix Lake. Just to the north, Lucius County Park overlooks the lake with 24 campsites nestled among large white and red pines.

Three miles north of Solon Springs the trail leaves Hwy 53 behind, angling northwest to a trailhead just south of Superior. This final twenty miles is among the most scenic of the entire trail passing stream and forest without the hum of highway traffic.

There’s plenty to see in Superior.

Cruise the harbor aboard Vista Fleet Cruises (218/722-6218,www.vistafleet.com). 

Tour Fairlawn Mansion or the SS Meteor Museum (715/394-5712, www.superiorpublicmuseums.org).

See a real P-38 Lightning at the Richard I. Bong WWII Heritage Center (888/816-9944, www.bongheritagecenter.org).

Or, watch waterfalls at Pattison State Park (715/399-3111, www.wiparks.net).

Valhalla Area Trails

Jutting out into the largest fresh water lake in the world, Bayfield County is a jewel of natural resources and wonderful scenery. The ATV trails here flow through county and national forest lands. Notably, many trails glide through the northern part of the Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest.

The Valhalla Area Trails are a popular destination for ATV enthusiasts. The Valhalla Trail, also known as the Valhalla Recreation Area, is positioned 10 miles west of the town of Washburn, which sits right on the big lake. With plenty of lodging, services and attractions, Washburn is accessible via ATV. It also can offer a relaxing diversion from a day on the trails. If roughing it is more your style, you can find campsites at Memorial Park and Thompson’s West End Park (715/373-6160;www.cityofwashburn.org) on the shores of Lake Superior. Several sites overlook Chequamegon Bay with picturesque views. Both parks are operated by the city and offer a number of amenities.

Many trails in this region are numbered for easy reference. The 15.3-mile Valhalla Trail system is an easy loop ride that takes you on Trails 35/31 on the north and west sides to Trails 13/33 on the south and east sides. Here you’ll experience plenty of rolling terrain and wooded sections.

You’ll also come across other trails along this route. The 2.3-mile Washburn Trail connects Valhalla through an area called Sun Bowl – an 80-acre glacial pit – as it exits the forest and onto county ATV routes.

Within the Valhalla Trail system, the Ridge Top Trail is a 1.1-mile stretch that’s a little more difficult due to one of the longest, steepest climbs in the area. But don’t let that stop you. It climbs the south side of Mount Valhalla where you’re rewarded with scenic views. The trail loops

back to the Valhalla Trail. Nearby, the Valhalla Trail Lodge (715/292-546; www.valhallatraillodge.com) on the edge of the Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest offers 10 cabins for a cozy rest and direct access to the trail.

From the Valhalla Trail, riders can take the Lenawee Trail (Trail 40) west 12 miles to the Old Baldy Trail. The easy ride traverses mostly sandy soils and follows a railroad grade part of the way. Along the route, you’ll see many mature pine plantation stands.

On at the Old Baldy, the 4.2-mile connector is an easy ride through a pine forest. It also accesses the must-see Mt. Baldy Overlook. On a clear day, you can see for miles over Lake Superior. Some even say you can see Minnesota off in the distance. 

Heading south on the Battle Axe Trail brings you to Iron River where food, fuel and lodging are available. For those who want to be close to nature, there are several area campgrounds (www.visitironriver.com). If you are staying in Iron River and the ATVs are put away for the day, a trip to one of Wisconsin’s wineries might be interesting. The White Winter Winery (800/697-2006 or 715/372-5656; www.whitewinter.com) makes a special “mead” wine made of honey, water and yeast.

After an evening in Iron River, you can connect to the Tri-County Corridor Trail that heads east. Just outside of town is the Iron River Trail (Trail 31/21). At 18.5 miles long, it is the longest trail in the area. It also is heavily traveled because it connects Iron River with the Valhalla Trail. It rolls through pine forest and barren areas. Sensitive environmental habitats here make it important to stay on the trail.

South of Iron River you can follow the 11.5-mile long Buckskin Trail (Trail 31) to the 13-mile long Bear Paw Trail that leads to Drummond. While they’re both easy rides, you’ll encounter more rocky terrain and some areas are prone to puddling. 

With Lake Superior as a backdrop and the diverse terrain, ATV enthusiasts will find plenty of fun in Bayfield County. With so much to see and do, many return again and again.

DISTANCE: 78 miles.

DIFFICULTY: Easy to moderate.

TRAILHEAD LOCATION(S): For the Valhalla Trail, the trailhead is west of Washburn off Cty C and FR 505. To the south, access is available from FR 435 near Wannebo Road and off Cherryville Road near Barrens Road. To the west, access is available in Iron River and off

East Long Lake Road. The Battleaxe trailhead is near the Battle Axe Road and Flag Road intersection.

SEASON: Many trails close in the spring until the ground dries. Call for trail updates or visit www.travelbayfieldcounty.com.