Duck Creek Trail/Newton Blackmour State Trail
In Northeastern Wisconsin, the Duck Creek and Newton Blackmour State Trails form an east-west corridor that traverses the lands of the Oneida Indian Nation and Outagamie County. Jointly, the trails travel 29.5 miles from Oneida to New London. Seymour, Black Creek, and Shiocton are located along the path. The route follows a former rail line of the old “Green Bay Route” Railroad, and does not deviate far from Wisconsin State Highway 54.
The surface of the two trails is crushed and screened limestone. In some places, the trail surface is fully covered with limestone. Other areas are basically two tracks of compacted earth. Cyclists on thin tires may find travel slightly difficult due to large amounts of limestone fill in a few places. As a whole, the surface of the two trails is average.
Despite journeying along a state highway for much of the route, views from the trail are scenic. The countryside has farmland, hardwood forests, marshes, and swamps. In Shiocton, the path crosses the broad Wolf River and concludes in New London by the banks of the Embarrass River. The trail also passes across the lands of Fallen Timbers Environmental Center and Mack State Wildlife Area.
The Duck Creek Trail is managed by the Oneida Nation. The trail travels 5.3 miles west through tribal lands, ending at the border with Outagamie County. The path continues west through Outagamie County for 24 miles as the Newton Blackmour State Trail. The path takes its name from each community through which it passes. Moving west to east are the communities of New London, Shiocton, Black Creek, and Seymour.
All of these communities have at least some trailhead amenities. In Oneida, a convenience store or nearby public parking serves as a trailhead. Seymour and Shiocton have trailheads with limited amenities. Black Creek has a water fountain and a bicycle self-repair station. In New London, the Jaycees Dog Park serves as a trailhead.
The Duck Creek and Newton Blackmour State Trails follow the route of the historic “Green Bay Route” Railroad. In 1866, a charter was granted to the Green Bay and Lake Pepin Railway. Construction on a line from Green Bay to the Mississippi River began in 1869. In 1872, regular rail service started between Green Bay and New London.
The railroad company became the Green Bay and Minnesota Railroad in 1873. In 1881, it was sold in foreclosure to the Green Bay, Winona, and Saint Paul Railroad. Financial problems plagued the railroad which went into bankruptcy, emerging as the Green Bay & Western Railroad in 1896. Under this company the “Green Bay Route” was coined.
In 1993, the Green Bay & Western Railroad merged into the Wisconsin Central Transportation Corporation, which later became part of the Canadian National Railroad. The line from Green Bay to New London was closed soon after. Through efforts of the Wisconsin DNR, Outagamie County, and local municipalities, most of the Newton Blackmour State Trail was completed in 2015. The trail was extended near New London in 2023.
As of 2024, arrangements are being made to extend the ends of both trails. After the construction of a trail bridge is completed over the Embarrass River, Pfeifer Park in New London will serve as a western trailhead. It has more amenities than the dog park and will bring trail-goers deeper into the city. On the other end of the trail, leaders with the Oneida Nation and Town of Hobart hope to extend the Duck Creek Trail over 5 miles further northeast. After this addition, the trail will reach Pamperin County Park in Howard.
Trail-goers should obey all posted rules while using the Duck Creek and Newton Blackmour State Trails. Horseback riding is permitted on the state trail; bicyclists should always yield to horseback riders. The Oneida Nation does not allow horseback riding on the Duck Creek Trail. There is no fee to use either trail.
A ride on the Duck Creek and Newton Blackmour trail is pleasant and enjoyable. The lack of steep inclines or descents, along a fairly straight course, makes a relatively peaceful and unchallenging ride. The two trails offer a tour of Northeast Wisconsin’s farmlands, hardwood forests, and swampy marshlands.
Route Descriptions