Green Circle Trail: Iverson Park to Schmeeckle Reserve
Stevens Point’s 27-mile loop on the Green Circle Trail offers a rewarding and enjoyable ride. The main route is a compilation of 12 smaller trails, which also works well for cyclists preferring a shorter route. A section called the Heartland Trail cuts through the center of Stevens Point, creating two shorter loops. The northern loop travels 18 miles. One section of this loop journeys 9 miles from Iverson Park from Schmeeckle Reserve.
The northern loop from Iverson Park to Schmeeckle Reserve travels on 4 of the Green Circle Trail’s 12 paths. Most of the trail surface is crushed granite. In several places, wooden boardwalks cross wetlands. Some trails travel in bike lanes on roads, or follow a bike route.
Caution is required on the Green Circle Trail. Traffic on some roads may be heavy, and the route crosses busy intersections. Steep hills are found on some trail sections. There are also some blind curves, and the trail is narrow in many sections. For increased visibility, cyclists are advised to wear fluorescent or bright clothes and use headlights/taillights.
A bike ride from Iverson Park back to Schmeeckle Reserve is enjoyable. This appealing 9.1-mile route journeys through forests, wetlands, and quiet neighborhoods. Natural areas offer stunning views of the landscape and wildlife. Pausing at some of these picturesque, serene sites provides an opportunity to enjoy amazing scenery.
One of Stevens Point’s oldest and largest parks, Iverson Park serves as trailhead for this segment of the ride. It has a parking lot, restrooms, picnic areas, swimming beach, pavilion, playground, baseball diamond, and nature trails. Iverson Park sits next to the Plover River in a lush forest, and bald eagles may be spotted in its tall white pines.
To reach Iverson Park by car from Interstate Highway 39, take exit 158B west on Wisconsin State Highway 66 (Main Street) into Stevens Point. Drive 0.9 mile and turn left (south) on Greenbriar Avenue. Go for 0.3 mile and turn left (east) on Hillcrest Drive. Drive into the park, down the hill, and into the parking lot.
The Green Circle Trail leaves Iverson Park on the 1.5-mile Iverson Trail. It heads west 0.3 mile on Hillcrest Drive into the Village of Park Ridge, and turns right (north) on Sunset Avenue. After 0.2 mile, it crosses Wisconsin State Highway 66 (Main Street) via a crosswalk with stoplights. Coffee lovers may want to divert to a Starbucks, found one block west off Wisconsin State Highway 66 in a Metro Market.
Iverson Trail goes north in a bike lane on Sunset Boulevard. It re-enters Stevens Point and turns right (east), onto a bike route following Robert Street. The route continues on Sunset Fork, Ridge Road, and Janick Circle. After bridging Interstate Highway 39, the trail turns right (south) on Hofmeister Drive and continues until the road ends at Rogers Park. This park has no facilities besides a parking lot. At the park, the route becomes Plover River Trail.
The wooded Plover River Trail meanders 3.8 miles through forests and next to the Plover River. There are several scenic vistas, and benches invite trail-goers to pause and take in the view. The path surface is crushed granite, and there are a few steep hills. The Plover River is a scenic, historic trout stream. Centuries ago, it was navigated by Menominee Indians, and then French fur traders. Today it is popular with kayakers and canoeists.
Plover River Trail offers some of the best natural scenery on the Green Circle Trail. Pines and deciduous trees create a peaceful, attractive setting. The path’s curves and hills force cyclists to slow down and enjoy the beautiful landscape. The route circles Stevens Point Airport, and ends at Wisconsin State Highway 66. A parking lot there may serve as trailhead.
Moses Creek Trail begins on the west side of Wisconsin State Highway 66. The surface of the 2.5-mile trail is crushed granite. This path also includes many wooden boardwalks over wetland areas, and Moses Creek flows nearby. The trail landscape includes towering oak and pine trees, along with pristine sedge meadow wetlands.
After traveling next to Hampton Road, Moses Creek Trail returns to a forested setting. A parking lot, picnic tables, and portable toilet are found along the trail in Yulga Disc Golf Course. This parking lot off Wojcik Memorial Drive may be used as a trailhead. A separate spur trail leads into Yula Park.
The path next weaves through Moses Creek Meadows in Hull Township. This 33-acre natural area features pristine sedge meadow wetlands surrounding the headwaters of Moses Creek. A variety of flora grow there, including pink lady’s slipper and rattlesnake plantain orchids. American woodcock and barred owls may be spotted by patient, quiet visitors.
In spring 2022, Moses Creek Trail was rerouted through a wooded portion of this property. The trail now passes under hundred-year-old trees and over delicate marshland on wooden boardwalks; one is a half mile long. A spur trail leads to a boardwalk and observation deck that provides a sweeping view of the large sedge meadow.
After re-entering Stevens Point and passing through another natural area, Moses Creek Trail returns to Hull Township and ends at Wilshire Drive. University Trail travels south on this road as a bike route for a mile, before entering Schmeeckle Reserve in Stevens Point. Along the way, the route passes over Interstate Highway 39.
University Trail crosses Moses Creek at the entrance to Schmeeckle Reserve. UW-Stevens Point’s 280-acre reserve includes forests, prairie, wetlands, and oak savannas. Its five miles of paths include the Green Circle Trail. After trekking nearly a mile between an oak savanna and wetlands, University Trail meets a spur trail. It leads right (north) to the trailhead by Schmeeckle Reserve Visitor Center.
The main trailhead for the Green Circle Trail is next to the Schmeeckle Reserve Visitor Center. It has parking, restrooms with flush toilets, drinking water, a self-service bicycle repair station, picnic shelter, and an 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.
The address of Schmeeckle Reserve is 2419 North Point Drive in Stevens Point. To reach its trailhead from Interstate Highway 39, take exit 161 south Business U.S. Highway 51. At the roundabout with North Point Drive, take the third exit and go east. Follow North Point Drive 0.6 mile and turn right (south) into Schmeeckle Reserve.
The Green Circle Trail’s northern loop from Iverson park to Schmeeckle Reserve offers some of the most beautiful scenery on the Green Circle Trail. While University and Iverson Trails are picturesque, they can be fairly busy with trail-goers. Plover River and Moses Creek are more secluded. Overall, the route offers captivating natural landscapes and a vigorous ride.
Trail last ridden and documented in August, 2025.
Map of trailheads and addresses along this section of the trail.