 |
| Gandy Dancer Trail bridge over St. Croix River |
g Gandy Dancer Trail segment – Day hikers can walk across an old railroad bridge over the St. Croix River on a segment of this long trail. In Danbury, parking for trail access is next to the walking route north of Wis. Hwy. 77 between Wis. Hwy. 35 and North Glass Street; from the lot, take the trail north, turning around on the bridge's other side for a 2-mile round trip.
g Grouse Walk Trail – Three trails of various lengths run across a meadow dotted with pine groves at the Big Bear Lake Nature Area. The Grouse Walk Trail takes in a half-mile loop and can be extended with a link to the Big Bear Meadows Trail loop for an additional mile.
g Danbury State Wildlife Area trails – A goal post-shaped set of jeep trails form a square with County Road F, running through pine barrens and lowlands. Keep an eye out for snowshoe hare, ruffed grouse, beaver, mink and otter.
g Matthew Lourey State Trail – Across the river in Minnesota, this trail runs for several miles roughly north to south through St. Croix State Park. A pleasant 2.3-mile segment heads from a trail center to Hay Creek.
g Namekagon Barrens Wildlife Area trails – Take a walk down any of the gravel roads leading into these sand barrens for an Andy Griffith-style hike into the backwoods. Watch for sharp-tailed grouse and the upland sandpiper.
Read more about family friendly day hiking trails in my Headin' to the Cabin guidebooks.
