Aldo Leopold Legacy Trail System
Chippewa River State Trail

This 30-mile trail extends from Phoenix Park in downtown Eau Claire, at the confluence of the Eau Claire and Chippewa rivers, and travels south along the Chippewa River through a wide variety of habitat including river bottoms, prairies, sandstone bluffs and wetlands. The trail joins the Red Cedar State Trail in the Dunnville Wildlife Area near the confluence of the Red Cedar and Chippewa Rivers, and ends at the town of Durand.

A view of the Chippewa River from the trail.
DNR Photo by Bonnie Gruber

The Chippewa River State Trail is part of the Chippewa Valley Trail System. When completed, the Trail System will feature an 80-mile network of trail stretching from Cornell, through Chippewa Falls and Eau Claire to Durand and Menomonie. Other trails in the system include the Red Cedar and Old Abe state trails.

Activities

The Chippewa River State Trail may bring a number of different users to the trail at the same time. It is important to use good trail etiquette to ensure the enjoyment and safety of all trail users.

Wisconsin Trail Etiquette and Safety Guidelines [PDF 2MB]

Walking & Bicycling

     The trail is paved with asphalt from downtown Eau Claire to near Caryville (about 11 miles) to provide for in-line skating as well as biking. From there to its junction with the Red Cedar State Trail, the trail is surfaced with asphalt emulsion suitable for bicycling. The section of the Chippewa River trail in Pepin County (about 6.5 miles) between Durand and the Red Cedar junction is also paved with asphalt. Bridges are wood decked and railed.

No trail passes are required for the Eau Claire city trail or the Pepin County / Durand section, but on the rest of the trail, each bicyclist and in-line skater age 16 and older must have a State Trail Pass. There's a self-registration box and information kiosk at Short Street in Eau Claire, the dividing line between city and state trails.

The trail is ideal for a bike and paddle trip. Sections of this former rail corridor parallel the Chippewa River. You can paddle downstream and then bike back to your starting point or vice versa. In season, vendors in Eau Claire offer a peddle and paddle option along the trail.

Pet owners, please be sure to have your pet on a leash, 8 feet or shorter, at all times. You must pick up after your pet.

The fairly level grade and smooth surface make most of this trail accessible to wheelchair users and others with mobility impairments.

Winter Activities

In winter, snowmobiles are allowed on a section of the trail from Porterville Road to Durand. Please follow trail signs and all Wisconsin snowmobile laws, including traveling no more than 15 miles per hour within any of the village limits. The trail also connects to numerous miles of county snowmobile trails.

   The trail is open to cross-country skiing and snowshoeing, however, the trail is not groomed, and skiers and snowshoers must share the trail with snowmobiles. Skiers do not need a trail pass while using the trail.

More Information

See the links below for more information about activities, communities, area attractions, features and other useful links for the Chippewa River State Trail.

For more information, ask:

Chippewa River State Trail
921 Brickyard Road,
Menomonie, WI 54751
Phone (715) 232-1242