Horseback Riding in Northwest Wisconsin
A leisurely way to see and experience the beauty of the northwoods is by horseback.
Trails wind through incredible hardwood forests, along scenic lakes, and offer views that can only be seen by foot, or hoof in this case. Many offer trailside lodging, camping and other services.
Locator Map
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Brule River State Forest | Douglas County
Length: 14 Miles
Fee/Pass Required: Yes
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.
Marker 2Copper Park Equestrian Trails | Rusk County
Length: 10 miles
Fee/Pass Required: Unknown
Located on the former Flambeau Mine. Varied terrain including woods, prairie, agriculture, and portions along the banks of the Flambeau River. Trailhead includes a picnic area, trailer/truck parking, and tie-ups.
Marker 3Douglas County Wildlife Area/County Forest | Douglas County
Length: 15 Miles/1,200 miles
Fee/Pass Required: No
Designated horse trails wind 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.
Marker 4
Dugan Run Horse Trails & Campgrounds | Washburn County
Length: 30+ Miles
Fee/Pass Required: No (camping fee only)
Trails loop through gently rolling hardwood ridges. North and South trailheads. Campgrounds, bathrooms, parking, pavilion, grills, and hand pump for water available.
Marker 5Governor Knowles State Forest | Burnett County
Length: 14 miles
Fee/Pass Required: Yes (16 and over)
Snowmobile/horseback trail in Burnett and Polk counties. Out-and-back trail in enchanted forest with stunning vistas and access to the St. Croix River and quaint, natural water pools.
Marker 6Governor Knowles State Forest | Polk County
Length: 21 miles
Fee/Pass Required: Yes (16 and over)
Trade River Horse Trails are located on the northwest section of Polk County. Trails wind through incredible hardwood forests, along scenic lakes, and offer views that can only be seen from these trails.
Marker 7Hay Meadow Trail | Chippewa County
Length: 22 miles
Fee/Pass Required: No
Gravel parking, toilets, fire pits and tie lines. The equestrian trails wind through scenic northern hardwood forests. Riders will pass many lakes, ponds, and woodland streams on the scenic trails. Bring drinking water for yourself and your animals.
Marker 8Holy Cross Trail | Price County
Length: 6 miles
Fee/Pass Required: No
Trail system designed by equestrians, especially for equestrians and horse cart drivers (keyed entry). Hitching rails, shelter, picnic area, water, toilets and dispersed camping (permit required). Moderately hilly trail through a variety of timber types.
Marker 9Horseshoe Lake Saddle Trail | Bayfield County
Length: 12 miles
Fee/pass required: Yes
Scenic and gently rolling, the trail passes through hardwoods and pine forests with some open areas. These two loops are easy for anyone to navigate and can be ridden in one day.
Marker 10Lake Wissota State Park | Chippewa County
Length: 7 miles
Fee/pass required: Unknown
Trails available in the park for daytime horseback riding. Horse rental is not available in or near the park.
Marker 11Narrow Gauge Trail | Barron County
Length: 6 miles
Fee/pass required: Unknown
Trail, parking, and primitive camp system in the Narrow Gauge area of Bear Lake township on county forest land. Managed by the Barron County Horse Trail Association.
Marker 12Old Abe Trail | Chippewa County
Length: 6 miles
Fee/pass required: Unknown
Alongside part of the paved trail is 6 miles of beautiful equestrian trail. The trail winds through agricultural and forestland while following the undeveloped shoreline of the Chippewa River.
Marker 13Pine Line Rail Trail | Price County
Length: 28 miles
Fee/pass required: Unknown
View the terminal moraine left by glaciers 12,000 years ago, plus picturesque dairy farms, hardwood forests, pine stands, and abundant wildlife.
Marker 14Saunders State Trail | Douglas County
Length: 8 Miles
Fee/Pass Required: Yes
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.
Marker 15Smith Rapids Saddle Trail | Price County
Length: 16 miles
Fee/Pass Required: No
Along the banks of the South Fork of the Flambeau River, this trail offers open vistas and opportunities to view wildlife. Picnic area nearby with water available. The trail is peaceful, relatively flat and traverses various forest types.
Marker 16Tri-County Recreational Corridor | Ashland, Bayfield & Douglas Counties
Length: 60 miles
Fee/Pass Required: No
Multi-Use Trail parallels Hwy 2 and stretches from Superior to Ashland. The tri-county corridor is an abandoned rail bed trail of pea-sized limestone gravel. Many miles of forest roads and trails are open to horseback riding in Bayfield County in addition to the Tri-County Corridor.
Marker 16Tri-County Recreational Corridor | Ashland, Bayfield & Douglas Counties
Length: 60 miles
Fee/Pass Required: No
Multi-Use Trail parallels Hwy 2 and stretches from Superior to Ashland. The tri-county corridor is an abandoned rail bed trail of pea-sized limestone gravel. Many miles of forest roads and trails are open to horseback riding in Bayfield County in addition to the Tri-County Corridor.
Marker 16Tri-County Recreational Corridor | Ashland, Bayfield & Douglas Counties
Length: 60 miles
Fee/Pass Required: No
Multi-Use Trail parallels Hwy 2 and stretches from Superior to Ashland. The tri-county corridor is an abandoned rail bed trail of pea-sized limestone gravel. Many miles of forest roads and trails are open to horseback riding in Bayfield County in addition to the Tri-County Corridor.
Marker 17Tuscobia State Trail | Sawyer & Washburn Counties
Length: 56 miles
Fee/Pass Required: No
A reclaimed railroad trail, not groomed or surfaced and may be rough or soft in spots. Users share the trail with motorized vehicles.
Marker 17Tuscobia State Trail | Sawyer & Washburn Counties
Length: 56 miles
Fee/Pass Required: No
A reclaimed railroad trail, not groomed or surfaced and may be rough or soft in spots. Users share the trail with motorized vehicles.