WILD RIVERS TRAIL

A route laid down by early railroad companies in the 1880s has become the Wild Rivers Trail, a 96-mile-long multi-use recreational trail traversing Washburn, Barron, and Douglas counties.

The trail follows an abandoned railbed first established by the Omaha and Soo Line railroad companies. The trail begins in Rice Lake and is groomed north to Solon Springs, with much of it lying parallel to Hwy. 53.

Its cinder and gravel base offers opportunities for a variety of activities, including hiking, mountain biking,

horseback riding, and ATV riding. During the winter it becomes a popular snowmobiling route.

Motorized vehicles weighing more than 700 pounds are prohibited on the trail. ATV use is banned when the fire danger is rated at very high or extreme.

The trail can be accessed through the communities located along the trail, including Minong, Trego, Spooner, Sarona, Rice Lake, Wascott, Gordon, and Solon Springs. The trail is owned by the state of Wisconsin and managed by the counties.