The State Trails Program

Program Objectives

The goal of the State Trails Program is to establish a balanced system of state trails for use by hikers, equestrians, bicyclists, and cross-country skiers. Trails that qualify as State trails are:

• Near urban areas or near or within scenic, historic, or culturally significant areas
• Likely to receive significant use
• Of more than local significance

Stewardship sets aside $3 million annually for acquisition of land for state trails, and the two National scenic trails—the Ice Age Trail and North Country Trail.

NCOs and local units of government may nominate additional trails for state trail designation. Nominations need to document that nominated trails meet the purposes of the program and provide recreational opportunities for equestrians, bicyclists, cross-country skiers, or hikers. The trail must also:

• Be reasonably accessible to urban areas, or within or in close proximity to areas of significant natural beauty, historical, or cultural significance, state or national parks, forests or recreational areas, or provide connections to existing state trails
• Be of a width sufficient to provide the purposes for which acquired, generally not less than 33 feet wide in rural areas and not less than 10 feet wide in urban areas, not have more than 25 acres per mile averaged over a five mile distance
• Be likely to receive significant use as determined by the State Comprehensive Outdoor Recreational Plan or similar study
• Have a reasonable expectation of being completed and of successful management and operation

The DNR shall give higher priority to trails that:

• Provide connections between other state trails
• Are of a length sufficient to provide at least one day's recreational experience
• Provide connections to resource areas of statewide significance or areas of outstanding natural scenery
• Provide for more than one use
• Contribute to a geographically balanced system of trails