Great day hikes run past rivers, lakes in Park Falls, Wis., area

Wintergreen Trail in Chequamegon National Forest.
Photo courtesy of  Price County Tourism Department.

Trails alongside a rapids-filled river and a peaceful Northwoods lake await day hikers in the Park Falls, Wis., area.

Located in Price County, the small town and its tiny neighbor Fifield sit between a state and a national forest. The region is popular among outdoors enthusiasts, whether their interest be hiking, camping, skiing, mountain biking, snowmobiling, fishing and more.

Among the best day hiking best near Park Falls are:
g Flambeau Hills Trail (Snuss Trail) – The trail system in Flambeau River State Forest sits just across the county line in neighboring Sawyer County west of Park Falls. A segment of the 4.3-mile (one-way) Snuss Trail is easy to reach with parking at the trailhead off of Wis. Hwy. 70.
g Holy Cross Trail (Green Loop) – Most of the six miles of wide ski trails located south of Fifield can be day hiked in summer. Try the 1.9-mile Green Loop with a parking lot at the trailhead off of Holy Cross Trails Lane.
g Newman Springs Trail (C Loop) – About seven miles of ski trails run through the Chequamegon National Forest in this system. Do the 0.53-mile C Loop, which crosses and heads alongside Newman Springs, with parking at the trailhead off of Wis. Hwy. 182 about 12 miles east of Park Falls.
g Round Lake Trail (F Loop) – More than 9 miles of ski trails await day hikers on this trail system in the Chequamegon National Forest. The 1.6-mile F Loop passes a historic logging dam and heads along placid Round Lake’s shores; park in the lot off of Forest Road 144 about 20 miles east of Fifield.
g Smith Rapids River Saddle Trail – Up to 16 miles of equestrain trails alongside the South Fork of the Flambeau River can be day hiked in the national forest. Parking is at the campground off of Forest Road 158 about 14 miles east of Fifield.
g Tuscobia State Trail (Smith Creek segment) – The eastern terminus of the rail line turned hiking trail that stretches to Rice Lake can be found in Park Falls. Park at the trailhead off of Seventh Street south of Division Street; take the trail west to Smith Creek for a 3.2-mile round trip.
g Wintergreeen Trail (A Loop) – Located in the Chequamegon National Forest five miles east of Fifield, the 7.15-mile trail system consists of several loops used for skiing and mountain biking. The A Loop at 0.73-miles round trip is easy to access with a parking lot off of Wis. Hwy. 70.

Learn about trail guidebooks available in the Hittin’ the Trail series.