Wolf River State Trail
Located in Forest and Langlade Counties, the Wolf River State Trail runs 37 miles on a historic railroad route. From Crandon, the scenic path heads south to the Menomonee County line through Lily, Hollister, and White Lake. For much of the route, the trail journeys through forested lands near the Wolf River, providing amazing scenery.
The Wolf River State Trail follows a former corridor of the Wisconsin Central Railroad. Tracks were first laid between Crandon and White Lake in 1907 by the Wisconsin and Northern Railroad. Later, it was taken over by the Soo Line, and then the Wisconsin Central Railroad. The railroad line played a major role in the area’s logging industry. In 2000, it was abandoned. After 2005, the Wisconsin DNR converted it to a recreational trail.
The surface of the Wolf River State Trail is crushed stone and ballast rock. The stone is not finely screened. In some places the path’s surface is not compacted, and seems rough or soft. As a result, this trail is more suitable for mountain or gravel bicycles than for road bikes. Crossover bikes, or bikes with wider tires could also be an asset. Most of the trail is open to ATV/UTV use, and the Forest County segment permits horseback riding.
The section exclusively for non-motorized vehicles runs 10.6 miles from Lily south to Wisconsin State Highway 64. Many cyclists continue to White Lake on 2.6 miles of shared trail, for a total distance of 13.2 miles. The surface of the 10.6-mile segment is more compact, without thick layers of loose gravel. The path is two lanes of crushed stone, with vegetation growing in the median. Underbrush grows close to the trail edge. From Lily to White Lake, the elevation gradually drops 150 feet.
A state trail pass is not required to use the Wolf River State Trail, and there are no amenities on the route. A parking lot serves as the Lily trailhead. The well-equipped White Lake Park serves as the southern trailhead. It has a boat launch, swimming beach and raft, fishing pier, kayak launch, picnic area with pavilion, playground, drinking water, and restrooms with flush toilets. White Lake also offers food, gas, and other necessities for visitors.
Named one of the most scenic rivers in the Midwest, the Wolf River flows 225 miles from Pine Lake in Forest County into Winnebago County’s Lake Poygan. This river is known for trout fishing. Its many whitewater rapids attract rafters, kayakers, and canoeists. An excursion on the Wolf River State Trail provides cyclists with striking views of forests and meadows, and stunning river vistas. It is not uncommon to see river-goers from the trail.
Members of the Menominee Nation have lived along the Wolf River’s banks for centuries. They called it Mahwāēw-Sēpēw, “the sacred wolf river.” Today, it flows through their reservation, and remains important to the tribe. Historically, sturgeon spawned in the Wolf River as they swam upstream from Lake Winnebago to Keshena Falls. Biologists have been able to restore portions of this migration by catching sturgeon downstream and releasing them above dams. Some sturgeon are captured each year for Menominee ceremonial meals.
Returning to the Wolf River State Trail, the non-motorized section begins in Lily at the trailhead on Wisconsin State Highway 55. Lily began as a logging center in the 1880s, and now consists of several buildings and a few residents. It is located on the Wolf River at the intersection of Wisconsin State Highways 52 and 55. From the bridge over the river, drive south 350 yards to the trailhead parking lot. It is located on the east side of the road.
Bicyclists head southwest across Wisconsin State Highway 55 to begin their ride. This crossing has no warning lights, so caution should be exercised. After going around a trail gate (found at each road intersection) and biking 0.2 miles, the Wolf River comes into view on the right (north). Here the river flows slowly through a small open meadow. Rocks protrude from the river’s surface, and the forest is set back.
Heading south, the trail parallels a long bend in the river that curves east. As the river narrows, its current quickens. Although the overall trail elevation remains the same over this 1.3-mile bend, here the level of the river dips down 30 feet below the path. Multiple spots along the trail offer beautiful views of the river below.
The trail stays close to the Wolf River as it turns south through another bend. After 2.5 miles from the trailhead, the path finally moves away from the river, and after another half mile crosses Wolf River Landing. This gravel road dead ends at the river’s edge. Continuing southeast, West Wolf Road travels adjacent to the trail on the left (east) side.
It is 2.5 miles from Wolf River Landing to Hollister Road. The trail emerges from the forest into the tiny community of Hollister. It dates to the 1920s and was named after Seymour W. Hollister, an Oshkosh lumberman and a partner in the Choate-Hollister Furniture Company. After crossing the road, the Wolf River State Trail reenters the forest, heading south.
The Wolf River State Trail crosses Nine Mile Creek less than a half mile from Hollister Road. The stream disappears into the thick forest on the right (west) side of the path, and a large meadow opens up on the other side. Nine Mile Creek begins in Nicolet National Forest, and is one of the five main tributaries which join the Wolf River in Langlade County.
From Hollister, the gradient of the Wolf River State Trail descends slightly. This descent ends at an impressive bridge across the Wolf River. Originally built in 1907 by the Wisconsin and Northern Railroad, the substantial bridge now carries trail-goers over the river. High above Nine Mile Rapids, the 650-foot long bridge spans the river gorge. The best river views are found here, and it’s worth lingering to enjoy the spectacular view.
After crossing the Wolf River, the trail continues south, somewhat uphill. A mile from the bridge, the route swerves around a sharp bend in the river known as Oxbow Rapids. The DNR designated this land as a State Natural Area in 1980. Here the Wolf River makes an oxbow bend and cuts through a moraine. The steep slope next to the river supports old-growth hemlock, white cedar, black ash, and basswood. Though not visible from the trail, the river here has class II whitewater rapids.
Past Oxbow Rapids, the Wolf River State Trail goes southeast through forest for 2.5 miles. It turns south when Wallrich Road comes into view to the left (east). To the right is a large potato field. Over the next mile, the trail surface changes. The grassy median disappears, and the surface becomes rockier. This segment of the Wolf River State Trail, from a half mile north of Wisconsin State Highway 64 to White Lake, is open to ATV/UTV traffic.
There are no crossing lights at the trail’s junction with Wisconsin State Highway 64. The last 2.2 miles of trail are shared with ATV/UTVs. Using headlights and tail-lights, and wearing fluorescent or bright clothes, makes cyclists more noticeable in this shared-use section.
The trail’s surface in this area is harder to navigate due to the increase in stone overlay. However, the beauty of this scenic forest continues. The path then crosses White Lake Creek and arrives at County Highway M (Lake Street). The Wolf River State Trail continues through White Lake, but the perfect trailhead is located to the right (north) on the county road.
White Lake Park offers a public boat launch, swimming beach and raft, fishing pier, kayak launch, picnic area with pavilion, playground, drinking water, and restrooms with flush toilets. Community businesses offer food, gas, and other necessities. White Lake Market is a popular stop for visitors and residents. In addition to selling grocery items, the market features home-cooked sandwiches, burgers, and salads. It also has its own ice cream parlor.
The village of White Lake takes its name from the nearby lake. It was named by Native Americans, for the white sand and sedimentary rock on its bottom. White Lake was not originally located on the Wisconsin and Northern Railroad route. The railroad went to the neighboring community of Van Ostrand. However, after 1907 White Lake grew more quickly and in 1916, the railroad moved its depot there. Van Ostrand was abandoned, and White Lake became a village in 1926.
No state highway runs through White Lake, but the village and trailhead are easily reached by car from Wisconsin State Highway 64. Turn south from the state highway onto County Highway M 2.5 miles west of Langlade, or 3.6 miles east of Four Corners. Drive 1.5 miles into White Lake. The park which serves as a trailhead sits next to the county highway.
Wolf River State Trail offers attractive views of Wisconsin’s northern forests. A highlight of the ride is pausing on the high bridge over the river. Few bikers use the path due to its challenging surface and remote location. Those who do should be prepared with sturdy bicycles, sunscreen, and insect repellant. Summertime trail-goers should check for ticks after a ride. Although preparation is needed for a ride here, an excursion on the beautiful Wolf River State Trail is exhilarating.
Trail last ridden and documented in July, 2025.
Map of trailheads and addresses along this section of the trail.