Hiking & Birding in Northwest Wisconsin

Come explore the great outdoors and remember to bring along your binoculars and camera while you are hiking one of the many trails throughout Northwest Wisconsin.

Take the opportunity to immerse yourself in nature. These outdoor trails provide tremendous opportunities to discover the wildlife that inhabits the surrounding areas like white-tailed deer, black bear, timber wolves, beaver, fox, raccoons, rabbits, and countless species of birds. With so many places to explore, you’ll never run out of things to see.

Locator Map

Please hover over icon on the map to see more information

Marker 1

Big Bay State Park | Ashland County

Length: 9 miles 

Fee/Pass Required: Yes

Hiking trails take you through varied habitat. The trail goes through a northern forest of red and white pines on the Big Bay Sand Spit. Lagoon Ridge trail is a 2.6 mile trail. Bay View trail is a 1/3 mile trail.

Marker 2

Blue Hills Trail | Rusk County

Length: 20 miles 

Fee/Pass Required: No, Donations are appreciated

A total of 20 miles of trail in the Blue Hills provide a variety of loops with varying terrain and elevation. Through wetlands and hardwood stands, the trail system is mowed.

Marker 3

Chippewa Flowage | Sawyer County

Length: 233 miles

The “Chip” is a 15,300-acre flowage with miles of rugged pine and aspen shorelines cut by numerous bays, channels, and floating bogs. Travel by boat or canoe to fully appreciate the abundant wildlife throughout the warm months.

Marker 4

Chippewa Moraine State Recreation Area | Chippewa County

Length: 23 miles 

Difficulty: Varies 

Fee/Pass Required: No

This trail runs from the Interpretive Center in New Auburn to Burnet Island State Park in Cornell. No motorized vehicles, horses or mountain bikes are allowed off public roads in the Reserve.

Marker 5

Crex Meadows Wildlife Area | Burnett County

Length: 24 miles 

Fee/Pass Required: No

Access by vehicle, additional foot-traffic-only paths. Loop trails, out-and-back trails. Spring and fall, guided birding tours available; restrooms at Education Center and rest area; sedge marsh, flowages, shrub, forest, many observation areas.

Marker 6

D.D. Kennedy County Park | Polk County

A 106-acre preserve along the Balsam Branch flows through central Polk County. A prairie restoration area features native grasses and wildflowers. Park includes a dam, millpond, and well-maintained trails. It provides a variety of habitat for a good mix of birds.

Marker 7

Duncan Creek Parkway Trail | Chippewa County

Length: 5 miles 

Fee/Pass Required: No

A five mile paved loop through Chippewa Falls is ideal for walking, biking and in-line skating. This trail connects to the Old Abe State Trail NE of County Hwy I. Portions of this trail are shared with motor vehicle traffic.

Marker 8

Forest Lodge Nature Trail | Bayfield County

Length: 1.5-2.0 miles 

Difficulty: Easy to Intermediate

Maintained cooperatively by the USDA Forest Service and the Cable Natural History Museum, this is one of the best interpretive trails in northern Wisconsin. Begins in a field and then leads you through the woods.

Marker 9

Gandy Dancer Trail | Burnett County

Length: 21 miles

In Burnett Co. (98 miles total). Crushed limestone. Former railroad bed. Bridge trestles, scenic vistas, lakes, rivers, forests, wildlife. Passes through Siren, Webster, and Danbury. Restaurants, lodging, retail, and services available.

Marker 10

Governor Knowles State Forest | Burnett County

Length: Multiple trails totaling 18.5 miles 

Fee/Pass Required: No fee for hiking.

Sioux Portage Trail (10 miles) Primitive camping along trail. Scenic wilderness, wooded, along river and bluffs. Kohler Peet Trail (6 miles) - Out and back trail. Scenic wilderness, wooded, along river and bluffs.

Marker 11

Hidden Rivers Interpretive Trail | Iron County

Length: 2 miles 

Fee/Pass Required: No

This is a two-mile trail off of Fishermen’s Landing Road in the Turtle Flambeau Scenic Waters Area. Interpretive signage explains how this area has been transformed.

Marker 12

Historic Old Bayfield Road | Douglas County

Length: 2.25 miles 

Fee/Pass Required: No

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.

Marker 13

Holy Cross Trail | Price County

Length: 6 miles 

Difficulty: Easy/Moderate 

Fee/Pass Required: No

Features rolling terrain and a loop that surrounds a small lake. The trail is mowed periodically and is used by Ruffed Grouse hunters beginning in mid-September.

Marker 14

Hunt Hill Audubon Sanctuary | Washburn County

Length: 600+ acres; 7 miles

Hunt Hill is a 600-acre nature reserve with abundant wildlife, beautiful hiking trails, lakes, meadows and more. The center also provides educational programming on a variety of topics throughout the year.

Marker 16

Ice Age National Scenic Trail | Polk, Barron, Burnett & Chippewa Counties

The St. Croix River valley that hikers use on this segment was formed when the glacial lobe in the area retreated. Access to the Ice Age National Scenic Trail’s western terminus is via Interstate State Park’s Pothole Trail, a loop trail that was built after the park was created in 1900 and is one of the oldest Wisconsin recreational footpaths.

Marker 16

Ice Age National Scenic Trail | Polk, Barron, Burnett & Chippewa Counties

The St. Croix River valley that hikers use on this segment was formed when the glacial lobe in the area retreated. Access to the Ice Age National Scenic Trail’s western terminus is via Interstate State Park’s Pothole Trail, a loop trail that was built after the park was created in 1900 and is one of the oldest Wisconsin recreational footpaths.

Marker 16

Ice Age National Scenic Trail | Polk, Barron, Burnett & Chippewa Counties

The St. Croix River valley that hikers use on this segment was formed when the glacial lobe in the area retreated. Access to the Ice Age National Scenic Trail’s western terminus is via Interstate State Park’s Pothole Trail, a loop trail that was built after the park was created in 1900 and is one of the oldest Wisconsin recreational footpaths.

Marker 16

Ice Age National Scenic Trail | Polk, Barron, Burnett & Chippewa Counties

The St. Croix River valley that hikers use on this segment was formed when the glacial lobe in the area retreated. Access to the Ice Age National Scenic Trail’s western terminus is via Interstate State Park’s Pothole Trail, a loop trail that was built after the park was created in 1900 and is one of the oldest Wisconsin recreational footpaths.

Marker 17

Ice Age National Scenic Trail | Rusk County

Fee/Pass Required: No

Length: Multiple Segments (Hemlock & Blue Hills) of the Ice Age National Scenic Trail can be found in the Blue Hills of Northwestern Rusk County.

Marker 18

Interstate State Park | Polk County

Fee/Pass Required: Yes

Wisconsin’s oldest state park with campsites, showers, and a nature center. Habitat types include upland and lowland forest and a number of wetlands and encircles Lake O’ Dalles. A Bald Eagle nest and Great Blue Heron rookery are within park limits.

Marker 19

Jordan Buck Heritage Hike | Burnett County

Length: 1.3 miles

Retrace Jim Jordan’s 1914 hunt near Danbury resulting in the current United States record whitetail buck. This 1.3 mile section of the Gandy Dancer Trail celebrates the legendary story that is shared through storytelling and a brochure style guidebook.

Marker 20

Lake Wissota State Park | Chippewa County

Length: 17.4 miles 

Fee/Pass Required: Yes

Hikers will enjoy trails within the park. Among the park's most scenic trails is the 1-mile self guided Beaver Meadow Nature Trail. A trail overlook allows visitors to view the environment and wildlife found in a beaver pond.

Marker 21

Little Turtle Trail | Iron County

Length: 5.2 miles 

Fee/Pass Required: No

There are 5.2 miles of mowed trail in the Little Turtle Waterfowl Management Area. The landscape is a mix of woods, wetlands and prairie.

Marker 22

Lynch Creek State Wildlife Area | Sawyer County

Length: 1⁄4 mile

The habitat is mainly cattail marsh, shrubby, bog wetland, and stream with some red pine forest. Common birds include Belted Kingfisher, snipe, flycatchers, swallows, warblers, rail, Great Blue Heron, bitterns, sandpipers, and many ducks. This is a great moonlit walk.

Marker 23

MECCA Trail | Iron County

Length: 18 km 

Fee/Pass Required: Donations are appreciated

The trails traverse rolling terrain with loops totaling 18 km. The trail is also excellent for biking and passes through a variety of wooded terrain.

Marker 24

North Country National Scenic Trail | Ashland, Bayfield & Douglas Counties

Length: 211 miles 

Fee/Pass Required: No

A part of the 4,600 miles that stretches from North Dakota to Vermont, the longest hiking path in the US. Access from trailheads in Superior, Solon Springs, Brule, Iron River, Drummond, Grand View, Mellen and Upson areas. Camping opportunities are available.

 

Marker 24

North Country National Scenic Trail | Ashland, Bayfield & Douglas Counties

Length: 211 miles 

Fee/Pass Required: No

A part of the 4,600 miles that stretches from North Dakota to Vermont, the longest hiking path in the US. Access from trailheads in Superior, Solon Springs, Brule, Iron River, Drummond, Grand View, Mellen and Upson areas. Camping opportunities are available.

Marker 24

North Country National Scenic Trail | Ashland, Bayfield & Douglas Counties

Length: 211 miles 

Fee/Pass Required: No

A part of the 4,600 miles that stretches from North Dakota to Vermont, the longest hiking path in the US. Access from trailheads in Superior, Solon Springs, Brule, Iron River, Drummond, Grand View, Mellen and Upson areas. Camping opportunities are available.

Marker 24

North Country National Scenic Trail | Ashland, Bayfield & Douglas Counties

Length: 211 miles 

Fee/Pass Required: No

A part of the 4,600 miles that stretches from North Dakota to Vermont, the longest hiking path in the US. Access from trailheads in Superior, Solon Springs, Brule, Iron River, Drummond, Grand View, Mellen and Upson areas. Camping opportunities are available.

Marker 25

Reclaimed Flambeau Mine & Trails | Rusk County

Length: 4 miles

Fee/Pass Required: No

Includes upland, forested, wetland, and prairie habitats, along the banks of the Flambeau River. A prime bird watching area. 4 miles of walking trails and 10 miles of equestrian trail can be hiked on site.

Marker 26

Solberg Lake/Squaw Creek Trail | Price County

Length: 3.4 miles 

Difficulty: Easy/Moderate 

Fee/Pass Required: No

This loop trail passes through both pine and aspen timber along rolling hills. It is used for Ruffed Grouse hunting beginning in mid-September.

Marker 27

St. Peter’s Dome | Ashland County

Length: 3.6 mile round trip 

Fee/Pass Required: No

1,565 foot granite outcrop on the western edge of the Penokee Range. The trail forks from the path to Morgan Falls. From the overlook you can see Chequamegon Bay and the Apostle Islands.

Marker 28

Stower Seven Lakes Trail | Polk County

Length: 14 miles

Built on a former railroad corridor, the trail begins in Amery and travels through the communities of Deronda, Wanderoos and Nye, ending about one mile from Dresser at 90th Avenue. The trail passes through maple and oak forests, wetlands, prairies and farmlands and past seven picturesque lakes.

Marker 29

Timm’s Hill National Trail | Price County

Length: 10 miles 

Difficulty: Moderate/Difficult 

Fee/Pass Required: No

A point-to-point, non-motorized trail, connecting the Ice Age Trail to Timm’s Hill, elevation 1951.5 feet, Wisconsin’s highest natural point.

Marker 30

Totagatic Lake State Wildlife Area | Sawyer County

Length: 2,719 acres

The Nelson Lake Dam is located across the highway from the paved parking lot. Restrooms. At the dam, there is a wildlife viewing overlook adjacent to the highway. Red-breasted nuthatch, warblers, blue headed vireo, eagles, waterfowl and herons.

Marker 31

Totogatic Trail | Washburn County

Length: 5 miles

Fee/ Pass Required: No

This scenic, remote hiking trail offers multiple loops. Located just of Highway 53, its the perfect spot to stretch your legs.

Marker 32

Trego Nature Trail | Washburn County

Length: 2.8 miles

Nestled along the Namekagon River, the trail is located within the St. Croix National Park System. This trail is free to hike and follows a portion of the scenic river way. The trail offers incredible wildlife viewing. Dogs are welcome on a leash. Parking and restrooms are available.

Marker 33

Tuscobia State Trail | Barron County

Length: 74 miles 

Fee/Pass Required: No

A mix of history and scenic beauty, the Tuscobia State Trail is a 74 mile abandoned railroad grade that begins in Barron County near Rice Lake. Trailhead north of Rice Lake on Hwy SS and goes 74 miles to Park Falls.

Marker 34

Whittlesey Creek National Wildlife Refuge | Bayfield County

Fee/Pass Required: No.

The Northern Great Lakes Visitor Center offers a 5-story observation tower where migrating hawks and other birds can be viewed. The center offers a boardwalk that is handicap accessible and under one mile. The Aldo Leopold Trail is a 1 mile trail and many species of warblers can be seen.

Marker 35

Wisconsin Point | Douglas County

Length: 3 miles/4.8 km 

Fee/Pass Required: No

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 September at this intersection of marsh, lake and woodland.

Marker 36

York Park | Polk County

Length: 43 miles

The park offers 40 acres of urban, mixed hardwood forest on a hilly site, boggy wetland, and a quarter mile of undeveloped lake shores. Three miles of graveled trails and a viewing platform. A variety of birds can be seen in the forest and on the lake.