Find the top rated snowmobiling trails in Wisconsin, whether you're looking for an easy short snowmobiling trail or a long snowmobiling trail, you'll find what you're looking for. Click on a snowmobiling trail below to find trail descriptions, trail maps, photos, and reviews.
My husband and I have put over 2000 miles enjoying a variety of trails all over WI last year and we’ve never been more disappointed than we were with the Bearskin. We were really looking forward to this trail because of the promise of wonderful wilderness. First we tried leaving out of Minocqua. We were fine for a while but then the trail forked off. The original trail was closed and labeled no trespassing. The trail replacement was a steep rollercoaster that wasn’t anything close to the 3% grade typically indicative to a trails-to-trails. We also noticed that every few feet we encounter signs pointing to bars, pubs, distilleries and strip joints. We’d never seen anything like this on other trails and spoiled what was probably a pristine landscape at one point. Because it was May and we’d had rain the path turned to swamp and we had to turn back. The next day we tried the trail from the other end. The first 4 miles was beautiful but then the trail was again closed and we were diverted to a gravel road through a subdivision and out onto highway L that exposed us to 70 Mph logging trucks wizzing by and the blast of air that comes with each pass. At that point we said, ‘oh he** no” and went back. When we got back to where we started, the gal at the BP asked how our ride went. She then explained that the reason so much of the Bearskin is closed is because it is also a snowmobile trail and the ‘beilers’ go from bar-to-bar and then end up ‘drunk beiling.’ The ‘beilers’ divert from the trail, tear up the fields and private property. Apparently there have also been excessive accidents and deaths on the trails and on the private lands adjacent to the trail so the landowners pulled the rites — and frankly I can’t blame them — I mean seriously, ‘those damn drunk hikers and bicycles just speeded onto my land, trashed my field then spun out of control, flipped their bike and killed themselves,’ said no land owner — ever. It’s a shame this trail has been spoiled.
Just spent a few amazing days at Potawatomi State Park in Sturgeon Bay where we jumped on the Ahnapee Trail for a stunning ride on a beautiful day through stands of birch and pine woods. Path is well taken care of, mostly crushed pea gravel so it would be easy to ride a city or fat tire bike. Trail leads through wet lands and standing pools so could be a mosquito haven in the summer. Route passes through farm land and while it crosses a number of roads, we paused but did not need to come to a full stop because there wasn’t any traffic — trail also was not highly trafficked. There are pit toilets sponsored by various organizations about ever 5 miles or so and while this is also a snowmobile trail it looked like the snowmobile club (who also sponsors a section) came through and repaired the path so it was flat and nice for bikers. I imagine this trail would be gorgeous in the fall with the changing leaves.
Smooth paved trail, but very loud traffic noise. Won't do again.
No asphalt, all stone. However, looked like a portion is being re-done.
Rode this trail starting at Carryville towards Durand in early May. The services were not yet open. You can park, but the toilets were closed and the water fountains were decommissioned. The path was bumpy and poorly maintained. I was riding on 700x32 tires- passable, but be sure to bring a repair kit as there is a high risk for punctures. It would have been a much more comfortable ride on either a gravel bike or a hardtail.
I had a hard time reconciling the $5 registration fee for this path. I understand that services (toilets, water) cannot operate year round, but this should be made very clear on the WI DNR site- and would be even better if they didn’t charge the fee until the services were in operation. Hailing from MN where many well-serviced and well-maintained paths do not incur a registration fee, it was very disappointing to pay $5 to ride on a cruddy path without open facilities. I had a much more enjoyable ride on the Old Abe trail.
Loved the trail. So many places to rest. Beautiful parks. Marked very well. Awesome to be able to make a loop.
Initially, the Hank Aaron Trail ran slightly downhill through older neighborhoods on the outskirts of town, past single family post-war homes visible through the trees. It was a tree-lined, single car-lane sized concrete trail, meaning there was room for two bikes across, but not three. We were warned by another biker not to miss a sharp left turn ahead, which we found (following him) as we neared the very cool American Family Insurance Stadium.
Continuing towards the waterfront, the trail became a wide sidewalk alongside a fairly quiet industrial avenue lined with unused railroad boxcars. Beyond them was an active railroad yard and tracks that we crossed as the Milwaukee skyline came into view. Nearing downtown and the beginning of several waterways where small pleasure boats were moored, we passed the Harley Davidson Museum.
Signage got very spotty as the route became more complicated and we had to refer to TrailLink a couple of times after we crossed over the downtown river. We ended up riding on the city streets and sidewalks of the Historic Third Ward area. At that point, we abandoned trying to follow the trail (it ended somewhere nearby) and headed toward a descending drawbridge over a canal lined with sailboats.
While a large network of walking/biking paths crisscrossed the entire area, we rode close to the rocky revetments and corrugated iron seawalls that kept the Lake at bay. There appeared to be lots to see and do on the Lakefront: we passed an outdoor amphitheater, a small red lighthouse, other performing venues, a building designed to look like a large ship’s prow (Milwaukee Art Museum), Discovery World science and technology center, and more. The promenade eventually ended on a long, wide jetty, beyond which was McKinley Marina.
We found good beer and award-winning fried cheese curds at a brewery/restaurant north of downtown.
Many busy four lane streets to cross without traffic lights. Sidewalks end without warning. Steep hills you have to walk your bike up. Pretty little picturesque town but not bike friendly.
We walked/hiked this trail for 15 miles. Thought the trail was well maintained. Our only complaint was there are no places to sit and rest. Did make suggestions to put some benches along the way but didn't get a response back.
A very nice trail. Flat with asphalt. Northern half is well shaded. A small section on the southern portion of the tail is on road. At the southern trailhead, there is a family of bald eagles nesting across the river! The northern trailhead is at Riverside Park. Lots of shaded picnic areas, a playground, frisbee golf, shuffleboard and a city golf course. The trail also goes through Janesville’s Town Square which is close to lots of shopping and restaurants. From Kiwanis Trail, there is easy access to Peace Trail and Spring Brook Trial.
I’ve been using this trail across the Saint Croix River for 40 years and every time I have to stop in the middle and look north all the beautiful islands and sailboats moored in front of Hudson. The trail is next to I94 so you’ll have noise but it’s worth it.
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