Aldo Leopold Legacy Trail System
Nicolet State Trail
This county-operated trail meanders for more than 65 miles through the Nicolet National Forest in northeastern Wisconsin. The trail follows the same corridor built by railroad companies in the late 19th century to open up Wisconsin's pine and hardwood forests for the timber industry.
The trail is surfaced with highway-grade compacted gravel. Walking, mountain biking, horseback riding, snowmobiling and All-terrain Vehicle (ATV) use are permitted on the trail. Trail uses vary by time of year and by county. The trail in Forest and Florence counties is new and some sections may still be under development. Look at the Florence, Forest, and Oconto county sections for more information.
All three counties have hundreds of miles of snowmobile and ATV routes that connect with the Nicolet State Trail. When operating a snowmobile or ATV, use only legally marked routes to leave the Nicolet trail. Cross-country travel through the Nicolet National Forest or on private land is prohibited.
Florence County Trails [exit DNR]
Forest County Trails [exit DNR]
Oconto County Trails [exit DNR]
Wild, free-flowing rivers and streams abound in this part of Wisconsin, adding to an area already rich in natural resources. The forest surrounding the trail is a haven for deer, black bears, loons, bald eagles, and wolves.
The Nicolet National Forest [exit DNR] which encompasses the trail has an abundance of recreation opportunities. In addition to camping, hunting, fishing and water recreation, the forest provides numerous miles of trail for hiking, mountain biking, cross-country skiing and wildlife viewing.
Florence County Segment
The Nicolet State Trail in Florence County [exit DNR] runs north for more than 10 miles from the Florence/Forest county line near Long Lake past the town of Tipler. The trail is new and some sections may still be under development.
Access to the Nicolet trail is available in Long Lake and Tipler. Long Lake is on State Highway 139 and Tipler is on State Highway 70, about one mile east of the highway 139/70 intersection. About halfway between the two communities, the Nicolet Trail crosses the Pine River, a state designated wild river.
Florence County has an extensive network of snowmobile and ATV routes. These routes give users to the Nicolet trail the potential to travel from Oconto, Forest and Florence counties into Michigan's Upper Peninsula.
For more information, ask the Florence County Forestry/Parks Department
Forest County Segment
The Nicolet State Trail stretches 25 miles through Forest County [exit DNR]. The trail is split into two sections. The southern section starts at the Forest/Oconto county line near the town of Carter and travels north for 12 miles through the communities of Wabeno and Blackwell. The southern section ends in the town of Laona near the intersection of U.S. Highway 8 and State Highway 32.
The north section of the trail starts at County Highway O in the township of Cavour and travels north 13 miles to the Forest/Florence county line. Just south of the county line the trail crosses the Popple River, a state designated wild river.
Forest County has extensive networks of both snowmobile and ATV routes that connect with the Nicolet State Trail; however the Nicolet trail is the only trail in Forest County open to both snowmobile and ATV use.
Horses are not allowed on the Nicolet State Trail in Forest County.
History of the railroad and logging era in Forest County can be seen along the trail. A 1916 Vulcan steam engine used by the Connor Lumber and Land Company is on display at the Camp 5 Logging Museum in Laona. There is also a logging museum in Wabeno with a replica of an old logging camp.
The trail in Forest County is new and some sections may still be under development. Two new trailheads are planned for the trail. The northern trailhead will be off of County Highway O, about one mile west of Highway 139, and the southern trailhead will be in Wabeno, between the town park and logging museum.
For more information, ask the Forest County Forestry/Parks Department.
Oconto County Segment
The Nicolet State Trail in Oconto County [exit DNR] begins in the town of Gillett near the Oconto/Shawano county line. Gillett is located on State Highway 22, about 18 miles northeast of the city of Shawano.
The trail runs for about 30 miles north from Gillett in Oconto County and passes through the communities of Suring, Mountain, Lakewood, and Townsend. In Suring, a parking area with access to the trail is available next to the Village Hall near State Highway 32. Beginning around Mountain, the trail parallels Highway 32 the rest of the way north into Forest County.
The Nicolet State Trail is open for ATV use in Oconto County from May 1 through October 31 or as posted or published. Oconto County has numerous ATV routes and has opened the former railroad corridor that the Nicolet State Trail is on, south from Gillett to Shawano County. The Nicolet Trail and other trails and routes may be closed or rerouted due to changing weather conditions.
Horses are allowed on the trail from April 15 through November 10.
Governor Thompson State Park and the Peshtigo River State Forest are in Marinette County near the Oconto/Marinette county line, about 14 miles from the Nicolet State Trail.
Wisconsin's oldest standing logging camp is near the trail. The camp is maintained as a museum and is about one mile east of Lakewood on County Highway F.
The Mountain Bay State Trail [exit DNR] and Oconto River State Trail are near the southern trailhead in Gillett.
Florence County Forestry/Parks Department
4818 Forestry Dr.
Florence, WI 54121
(715) 528-3207
Forest County Forestry/Parks Department
200 E. Madison Ave.
Crandon, WI 54520
(715) 478-3475
Oconto County Forestry/Parks Department
301 Washington St.
Oconto, WI 54153
(920) 834-6995
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