National trail, state park deliver great hiking options to Mellen, Wisconsin, visitors

Mellen sits at the northeast corner of the Chequamegon National Forest.

With the North Country National Scenic Trail and Copper Falls State Park nearby, Mellen, Wis., offers a number of great day hiking options. Among the selections:
g Doughboys’ Nature Trail – Hikers can tour Wisconsin’s geological history in some of the most breathtaking scenery this side of the Mississippi on this Copper Falls State Park trail. The route follows the Bad River and Tyler Forks past Copper and Brownstone waterfalls and a series of cascades.
g Juniper Rock Overlook segment – West of town, pick up the North Country National Scenic Trial off of Forest Road 202. Walk east for a little more than a half-mile to the overlook of the Marengo River. You can extend the hike for another mile to old Swedish settlements and additional overlooks.
g Penokee Mountain Trail – A cross country ski trail in winter, a day hiking trail in summer, these walking loops are part of the North Country National Scenic Trail running through the Chequamegon National Forest. It consists of three loops, which depending on your time and energy levels, can be done separately for as short as a 2 mile hike to one up to 5.3 miles.
g Red Granite Trail – The 2.5-mile round trip trail runs to Red Granite Falls in the southern portion of Copper Falls State Park. Dogs are welcomed on the walking path.
g Takesson Trail loops - An inner loops runs for 1.6 miles and an outer loop for 2.5 miles, offering picturesque views of the Bad River in Copper Falls State Park. Both loops ramble through a mature hardwood forest, but the outer loop is hillier.

Read more about family friendly day hiking trails in my Headin' to the Cabin guidebooks.