Photo album of Knapweed (Orange) Trail

The scenic Knapweed (Orange) Trail rambles about 0.9 miles one-way through a prairie that’s being restored in Wisconsin’s Willow River State Park.

To reach the park, from Interstate 94 near the Minnesota border, take Exit 4 and head north on U.S. Hwy. 12 for about 1.6 miles. When Hwy. 12 turns east, continue straight on County Road U for about 0.3 miles to County Road A, where you’ll continue for another 1.5 miles. The park’s entrance is on the road’s left/west side. Park in the lot for the Group Campground on the entry road’s south side.

The trailhead (below) is southeast of the parking lot. Watch for the orange trail blaze.

After cresting a knoll, the trail reaches a grassy area that is the prairie under restoration (below). At the trail intersection, go left/east.

The trail is named for an invasive species (below, photo courtesy of Wisconsin DNR) that for better or for worse dominates the route.

The last section of the trail heads through a wooded area (below) near the park office. It then crosses the park entry road and ends at a junction with the Pioneer (Yellow) Trail.

Here's a full description of the trail.

Learn more about nearby day hiking trails in my Day Hiking Trails of St. Croix County guidebook.