Fox River State Trail
The Fox River State Trail is a popular recreational path in northeastern Wisconsin. It rolls for 26 miles through an agricultural landscape of Calumet and Brown County and into the urban setting of De Pere, Allouez, and Green Bay. The trail begins in a marshy, rural area two miles north of Hilbert, and journeys north through rich farm country. Much of the path’s southern section parallels Wisconsin State Highway 32 and 57.
In the city of De Pere, the Fox River State Trail reaches the Fox River. The final six miles of the path travel along the river’s scenic, historic east bank. This section is paved, but carries a lot of trail traffic. Along its entire route, the Fox River State Trail advances through Forest Junction, Greenleaf, De Pere, Allouez, and Green Bay.
The northern six-mile route adjacent to the Fox River covers some of the most historic ground in Wisconsin. Green Bay is the oldest community in the state. Its location between the Great Lakes and Mississippi River on the Fox-Wisconsin waterway has made it an important center of trade and transportation for centuries. Today, 14 port businesses in Green Bay move two million tons of cargo on more than 200 ships each year.
Native Americans lived along the Fox River and Green Bay for many years before European contact. In the late 1600s, Jesuit missionaries and French fur traders inhabited the area. Military posts in Green Bay were garrisioned by French, British, and American soldiers over a span of 150 years. Each regime saw the strategic importance of the area called “La Baye.” Today, the Fox River State Trail cuts through some of the earliest settlements in the state.
In 1873, the Milwaukee and Northern Railroad laid the rail line that would become the Fox River State Trail. The Chicago, Milwaukee, St. Paul, and Pacific Railroad (“The Milwaukee Road”) took over the route in 1893. It ran the line until selling it to the Soo Line in 1985. The Soo Line’s ventures with the route were short-lived. In 1989, the line was abandoned. The corridor was purchased by the Wisconsin DNR in 1998, and the tracks were removed. After years of work on the recreational trail, it opened to the public in 2001.
One remnant of the old “Milwaukee Road” still remains along the trail and is worth stopping to view. The railroad company’s historic depot in Green Bay was built in 1898. The building is well-preserved and stands as an outstanding example of Flemish Renaissance Revival architecture. It is located at 400 S. Washington Street in downtown Green Bay and currently houses a private business. A historical marker and park benches are located by the depot along the trail, for those who want to absorb its history and take a look.
Just over 14 miles of the trail’s surface is crushed limestone and in very good condition. This section runs from the trailhead at Ott Road in Calumet County north to Lasee Road in Brown County. Horseback riding is permitted on the portion of the trail that runs in Calumet County. The path’s surface from Lasee Road to the trail’s terminus in downtown Green Bay is paved asphalt, in excellent condition. The two-lane, paved trail covers 11 miles. The path is well-marked with signage and mileage markers throughout the entire route.
When traveling north on the Fox River State Trail from Ott Road to Green Bay, the elevation drops several hundred feet. This allows for a pleasant and effortless ride. Also adding to a comfortable ride are numerous rest areas, trailheads, and parks along the route. In De Pere, Allouez, and Green Bay, many businesses near the path cater to trail-goers. There are plenty of places to stop and enjoy a tasty beverage or delicious meal.
The trail surface changes as it moves north, and so does the landscape. Heading north from the Ott Road trailhead, the scenery is predominantly agricultural. A corridor of trees and bushes surround much of the trail, creating pockets of shade. In other places, the terrain is wide open with plenty of direct sunlight. Towards De Pere, the landscape changes to suburban and light industrial areas. The scenery transitions again in Allouez and Green Bay, where the trail passes residential backyards, quiet forests and parks. In downtown Green Bay, the path winds through the urban riverfront.
The Fox River State Trail officially ends in Green Bay at S. Adams and Porlier Streets. Trailhead amenities are located there. While the DNR state trail ends there, a paved trail continues northward two miles further to downtown Green Bay. Following the Fox River, it and passes businesses, restaurants, and pubs. This trail ends at the confluence of the Fox and East Rivers, while the bike path continues east as the East River Trail.
It’s a delight to bike the Fox River State Trail. Whether on the busier paved section, or remote rural segment, the entire trail is in great condition and offers a pleasurable ride. The path’s many amenities makes it one of the best equipped trails in Wisconsin. The scenery is stunning, especially the vistas of the Fox River. There are many interpretive markers along the path from De Pere through Green Bay that convey this area’s astonishing history.
The Fox River Trail is accessed from trailheads in Forest Junction, Greenleaf, De Pere, Allouez, and Green Bay. Rural trailheads are found in the townships of Rockland and Brillion. There is a $5 daily usage fee, or a $25 annual pass may be purchased. Passes are obtained at a DNR office, or from self-registration stations on the trail. Motorized vehicles are not permitted on the path. Horses are permitted on the Calumet County section. The trail is open from 5:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. Trail-goers are reminded to obey all posted rules.
Route Descriptions