Green Circle Trail: Schmeeckle Reserve to Iverson Park
While some cyclists enjoy riding the full 27-mile circular Green Circle Trail, others prefer a shorter route. Using the Heartland Trail to cut across Stevens Point, cyclists may choose a northern or southern loop on the Green Circle Trail. The northern loop travels 18 miles. One segment of this loop travels nearly 9 miles from Schmeeckle Reserve to Iverson Park.
A bike ride from Schmeeckle Reserve to Iverson Park is pleasurable. Two miles pass through urban areas, and the remaining 7 miles journey through forests, wetlands, and quiet neighborhoods. The route goes by the Wisconsin River, offering stunning views of nature and wildlife. Pausing at picturesque spots gives the chance to enjoy the amazing scenery.
From Schmeeckle Reserve to Iverson Park, the Green Circle Trail travels on six of its twelve paths. This route also uses Heartland Trail, a 2.6-mile spur trail. Much of the trail surface is crushed and compacted granite, but a section of Riverfront Trail and all of Heartland Trail are paved. Some parts of the route travel in bike lanes on roads or follow a bike route.
Cyclists should stay alert on the Green Circle Trail. Traffic on some roads may be heavy, and the route crosses busy intersections. Some of the paths are narrow and have blind curves. For increased safety cyclists are advised to wear fluorescent or bright clothes, and use headlights/taillights.
Several parks along the route work well as trailheads. The main trailhead is by Schmeeckle Reserve Visitor Center. It has parking, restrooms with flush toilets, drinking water, a self-service bicycle repair station, picnic shelter, and informational kiosk with trail brochures. The neighboring visitor center has parking, restrooms, picnic tables, drinking fountain and water bottle filling station, an information desk, hands-on exhibits, and a gift shop.
Schmeeckle Reserve’s address is 2419 North Point Drive, Stevens Point. By car from Interstate Highway 39, take exit 161 south on Business U.S. Highway 51. Take the third exit at the roundabout and go east. Follow North Point Drive 0.6 mile and turn right (south) into the reserve.
The Green Circle Trail route from Schmeeckle Reserve to Iverson Park begins at the parking lot, where a spur trail heads south. Signs mark the junction with the Green Circle Trail. This section of the Green Circle Trail is called University Trail. After turning right (west), University Trail passes an amphitheater, visitor center, and Trail of Reflection. It then crosses a wooden boardwalk over a cattail marsh.
University Trail returns to the forest after crossing Michigan Avenue. It intersects Granite Parkway Trail, a north-south trail that connects UW-Stevens Point to Sentry World. Trail-goers wanting to visit the insurance company’s home office may take the trail north. The home office has a premier golf course and several restaurants.
It is 0.4 mile from Michigan Avenue to North Point Drive. University Trail emerges from the forest of Schmeeckle Reserve near a teepee-shaped shelter. Brickyard Trail begins upon leaving the reserve. It navigates a roundabout and heads west in a bike lane on North Point Drive. A great view of Sentry can be seen from the roundabout.
Brickyard Trail is 1.2 miles long. The wooded path travels on land once owned by William Langenberg. The Langenberg family owned and operated a brickyard from 1866 to 1920. Red clay was excavated here and made into bricks. In its prime, the kiln could fire nearly 1.5 million bricks.
After traveling in the bike lane for 350 yards, the trail leaves North Point Drive and turns right (north) into a forest on a stone-surfaced path. After 0.4 mile, trail-goers have a choice. They may bear right and continue on Brickyard Trail for 0.6 mile to its end at 2nd Street. This trail section continues through the forest, passing a creek and other swales of water.
The other option is taking the 0.4-mile Stevens Point Sculpture Park Trail. This path journeys through the 20-acre Stevens Point Sculpture Park. The outdoor garden has about 30 artworks from local, regional, and national artists. Signs indicate the names of each sculpture and its creator.
The Sculpture Park and Brickyard Trails converge near 2nd Street. Near this junction another short path connects to Zenoff Park, a possible trailhead. Zenoff Park has a parking lot, picnic area, restrooms, playground, pavilion, concession stand and baseball diamonds. Its entrance is on 2nd Street.
On 2nd Street, the route goes north on Stagecoach Trail. It travels on roads for 2.2 miles. The route goes north 0.2 mile, turns left (north) on Johnson Drive, and immediately left again (west) onto Du Bay Avenue. After 0.7 mile, it turns left (south) onto Old Wausau Road. The trail runs through the Town of Hull for 1.5 miles before re-entering Stevens Point.
Stagecoach Trail travels south on Old Wausau Road for 1.2 miles. The road offers stunning views of the Wisconsin River Flowage. From 1858 to 1872, Old Wausau Road was the route of a stagecoach line between Stevens Point and Wausau, a distance of 34 miles.
Re-entering Stevens Point, the route turns right (west) on Rachick Road and immediately left (south) onto Riverfront Trail. This trail travels 1.2 miles. It enters Bukolt Park, traveling 0.4 mile on crushed stone. The park may serve as a trailhead. It has parking lots, restrooms, drinking water, picnic areas, a swimming beach and bathhouse, pavilion, skateboard park, horseshoe pits, volleyball courts, playground, and baseball diamond.
Within the park, the surface of Riverfront Trail becomes paved asphalt. The path offers beautiful views of the Wisconsin River Flowage, which continue as the trail enters Pfiffner Pioneer Park. Another good trailhead, the park has a large parking lot, restrooms, playground, bandshell, and boat launch. The park is also home to the Cultural Commons International Friendship Garden and Riverfront Arts Center.
Riverfront Trail continues along the river to Wisconsin State Highway 66 (Clark Street). It passes downtown, where several establishments may merit a visit. PABS Cycling is near the trail, and offers top notch service. Directly across the street from Pfiffner Pioneer Park is Sunset Point Winery, a local winery offering wines made on-site. Wine slushies are served during the summer. Nearby, Great Northern Distilling specializes in spirits made in a handmade copper still. They offer a small food menu.
Across the street from the winery, Mission Coffee House is found inside the Midstate Technical College building. They donate proceeds to area nonprofit organizations. Also close by is Emy J’s Coffeehouse, which features house-roasted coffee and farm-to-table food including vegan fare. They also sell ice cream from Chocolate Shoppe Ice Cream Company.
Returning to Riverfront Trail, after passing several historical markers and a veterans memorial in Pfiffner Pioneer Park, it traverses Wisconsin State Highway 66 (Clark Street) through several crosswalks. Careful attention is required to navigate this intersection.
The Green Circle Trail continues on the south side of the highway as the River Pines Trail. A paved section passes through Admiral Albert W. Grant Park. A historical marker conveys his contributions in the Spanish-American War and World War I.
Just a block off the path is Ruby Coffee Roasters Café. Voted the best local coffee shop in Portage County, this bustling café serves tasty coffee drinks, baked goods, breakfast and lunch items.
The paved path ends at Arlington Place, turns left (east), and then right (south) onto Water Street. After 0.3 mile, River Pines Trail turns right (west) on Wisconsin Street. Green Circle Trail signs indicate this is the correct route. However, cyclists should continue south in the bike lane on Water Street following signs for the Heartland Trail. This path bisects Steven Point and connects to the Green Circle Trail on the city’s east side.
The bike route on Water Street runs 0.9 mile. Trail-goers looking for soft serve ice cream treat may turn left (east) on Park Street and journey three blocks. Carl D’s Soft Serve and Gourmet Popcorn is on the corner of Park and Church Streets. One block north on Church Street is Belt’s Soft Serve. Both promise delicious soft serve ice cream.
Returning to Water Street, caution is required when crossing the railroad tracks. The route next passes Stevens Point Brewing Company. This brewery offers tours, and tastings in a new taproom. The historic brewery dates to 1857, making it one of the oldest independently owned and continuously operating breweries in America.
Back on the bike route on Water Street, signs direct cyclists to Heartland Trail by turning left (east) on Matilda Street and crossing Business U.S. Highway 51 (Church Street). This intersection has a crosswalk, but no pedestrian lights or stoplights. Caution is needed when crossing this busy street. At the end of Matilda Street, the route turns left (north) onto Warner Street, which goes one block and ends.
The route turns right (east) and travels in a bike lane on Patch Street. After 0.3 mile, at the junction with Michigan Avenue, the paved Heartland Trail begins on the north side of Patch Street. It travels west 2.6 miles to Portage County Business Park on the east side of Interstate Highway 39.
The Hoover Avenue Trail is another spur trail that intersects Heartland Trail. The trail journeys south 4.5 miles next to Hoover Avenue, toward the Village of Plover. The paved trail connects to the start of the Tomorrow River State Trail and ends at Lake Pacawa Park, which has a swimming beach, splash pad, playground, and additional facilities.
Back on the Heartland Trail, cyclists travel 1.1 miles west to the start of the 2.7-mile Iverson Trail. Cyclists turn left (north) from Heartland Trail onto stone-surfaced Iverson Trail. The path dips under a railroad trestle and meanders along the west bank of the Plover River. A sign by the railroad trestle directs cyclists to walk their bicycles for 300 feet on a curving path underneath the bridge. The trail continues 0.7 mile to Iverson Park.
One of Stevens Point’s oldest and largest parks, the wooded Iverson Park has a parking lot, restrooms, picnic areas, swimming beach, pavilion, playground, baseball diamond, and nature trails. It also may serve as a possible trailhead. Bald eagles may be spotted in the park.
By car, Iverson Park is easily accessed from Interstate Highway 39. Take exit 158B and go west on Wisconsin State Highway 66 (Main Street) into Stevens Point. Drive 0.9 mile and turn left (south) on Greenbriar Avenue. Go 0.3 mile and turn left (east) onto Hillcrest Drive. Drive into the park, down the hill, and enter the parking lot.
Map of trailheads and addresses along this section of the trail.
Parts of the 8.8-mile ride on Green Circle Trail from Schmeeckle Reserve to Iverson Park journey through urban areas. But this section of the trail also travels through serene and attractive natural settings. This segment offers a diverse look at the eclectic Stevens Point area.
Enthusiastic cyclists may want to continue their ride on the northern loop of the Green Circle Trail. From Iverson Park, the route continues for slightly over nine miles back to Schmeelke Reserve on additional trail sections. It passes through several splendid natural areas.
Trail last ridden and documented in August, 2025.