Ahnapee State Trail: Algoma to Reckelberg Park
Trail-goers may expect an enjoyable ride on the Ahnapee State Trail from Algoma to Harold Reckelberg Park. The path journeys through Kewaunee County’s beautiful countryside, with many striking scenes of area farmland. Red barns and quaint farmsteads pepper the landscape, amidst corn and soybean field. Hardwood forests surround slow-moving rivers and streams. The last 3 miles from Casco to the trailhead are especially scenic and peaceful.
As the trail travels 12.8 miles southwest, it ascends over 200 feet. The path surface is screened limestone and in good condition, with two lanes paralleling a lesser-worn grassy middle section. Bicyclists share this trail with hikers and horseback riders. Signs along the route remind cyclists to yield to equestrians and hikers.
Algoma has two possible trailhead locations at the start of the path, in a light industrial area. A large Ahnapee State Trail parking lot with no facilities is located on 6th Street. A few more amenities are found several hundred feet north on 6th Street, at DeMeuse Park. It primarily serves as a dog park, but has a small parking area, portable toilet, park bench, and fishing dock. DeMeuse Park is located directly on the Ahnapee River.
To access the trailhead and DeMeuse Park on 6th Street by car, turn left (east) in Algoma on Navarino Street from Wisconsin State Highway 42 (4th Street). Drive two blocks and turn right (north) onto 6th Street. Continue the short distance to the trailhead and park.
Alternately, cyclists may want to ride a short distance on Algoma’s city streets to reach American Legion Park and Crescent Beach. They are located off Wisconsin State Highway 42 (Lake Street) on Lake Michigan’s seaside.
Scenic downtown Algoma caters to tourists and trail-goers alike. The Algoma Visitor Center overlooks Lake Michigan with restrooms, picnic tables, benches, and access to the beach and boardwalk. Beloved by locals, Crescent Beach offers the opportunity to venture into the chilly waters of Lake Michigan or relax on the grass or sand. Lakeside parking is streetside and down by the pier, and can become scarce on summer weekend afternoons.
Nearby, the Ahnapee Brewery and Von Stiehl Winery are popular stops. The brewery’s lakefront patio is a perfect place to enjoy a hand-crafted beer. The notable Von Stiehl Winery offers tours, tasting room and shop, and a summer concert series. Taverns, cafés, and restaurants in Algoma serve a variety of cuisines. Most are downtown, including Dairy Dean’s Family Restaurant. Near the lakeshore, this hometown favorite diner has a full menu and also serves Kemp’s ice cream.
Long before white settlement, the Potawatomi people lived in this area and had a village along the Ahnapee River. White Americans arrived in 1834, and constructed buildings and a small community by 1851. The community was called Wolf or Wool River. The name later was changed to Ahnapee, after a local Potawatomi legend of the “Great Gray Wolf.” Ahnapee was incorporated as a city in 1879. In 1897, the name changed again to Algoma, loosely translated from the Potawatomi language to mean “valley of flowers.”
New Englanders came to Algoma, as did immigrants from Ireland, Germany, Belgium, and Bohemia. The community soon included a sawmill, general store, and churches. The Ahnapee and Western Railway contributed to Algoma’s growth. Commercial fishing on Lake Michigan added to the economy, and sport fishing is still a major tourist attraction today.
Departing from the 6th Street parking lot, the Ahnapee State Trail journeys northwest out of Algoma along Perry Street. The trail passes several factories and crosses Silver Creek. In this section, the path’s surface is nothing more than a mix of gravel and weeds. In some places, it is easier to bike along the factory parking lots than on the trail.
A half mile from the trailhead, the path crosses Perry Road. Soon after, it arrives at an intersection of two trail segments. The northern route leads to Sturgeon Bay. The route veering to the west goes to Harold Reckelberg Park and Luxemburg. A rest area at this intersection has picnic tables and an information kiosk. Mileage markers indicate distances to places on each section of the trail.
Throughout the 1.3 miles from the rest area to Willow Drive, the trail arcs slightly from the northwest to southwest. It continues southwest all the way to Reckeberg Park. For nearly 4 miles from Willow Drive to the community of Rio Creek, the trail runs straight. It flanks farmsteads and farmlands, bridges Silver Creek and Rio Creek, and crosses 4 roads. Sandhill Cranses are commonly spotted in this section.
A trailhead with parking lot and self-service bicycle repair station is located in Rio Creek between County Highways P and K. No other amenities are available there. By car, the Rio Creek trailhead is accessed from Wisconsin State Highway 54 by turning west on County K, 4 miles from Algoma. Drive 0.6 mile to the trailhead.
The community of Rio Creek dates to the late 1800s. It was first named Kirchmann’s Place after local store owner and postmaster, August Kirchman. Although small, Rio Creek has an airport which hosts an annual “Fly-In and Hangar Dance.” The festival has food and entertainment, including a pancake breakfast, booyah and beer, and polka band music.
The Ahnapee State Trail leaves Rio Creek after crossing County Highway K, continuing southwest. As usual for this trail, a line of trees next to the path provides limited shade. In late summer, goldenrod grows along the side of the path. Remnant apple trees also grow there and in the fall, trail-goers may enjoy a crisp tasty treat.
As the path approaches Casco and its namesake creek, the terrain turns becomes more forested. The trail runs 4 miles from Rio Creek to Casco. It crosses Train Road twice, Pleasant Road, and finally Crevice Road. It then arrives at Wisconsin State Highway 54 on the eastern edge of the village.
Caution is required when traversing this state highway. On the south side of the highway, a park bench invites trail-goers to tarry by Casco Creek millpond. The creek passes under the trail through a hidden culvert. From this rest stop, it is 0.4 mile to County Highway C. A basic trailhead there has a parking lot, self-service bicycle repair station, and picnic table.
Casco has restaurants and a gas station with convenience store. The village is named after Casco Bay in Maine. That town had been the previous home of Edward Decker, an early logger in Kewaunee County. Decker arrived here in 1856, supported the community’s growth, and was instrumental in influencing the railroad to run through the village.
Departing Casco and heading southwest, the Ahnapee State Trail journeys through hardwood forests and cedar glades for the final 2.6 miles. On the western edge of the village, the path crosses Casco Creek again. It bridges the creek once more after 1.2 miles. The little stream runs near the trail for 0.3 mile before joining the Kewaunee River.
At this confluence of waters, the trail crosses the larger Kewaunee River. It’s worth pausing on the bridge to enjoy the scenery. Wildlife may be spotted, including white-tailed deer.
From the river crossing, it’s one mile through thick woodlands to Harold Reckelberg Park. From Casco to the trailhead, the elevation varies by nearly 100 feet. The path’s gradient descends as it approaches creek and river crossings, then climbs back up as it heads away.
Before arriving at the trailhead, the Ahnapee State Trail crosses Sunset Road. Shortly after, it joins another trail segment leading to Algoma. The converged trail runs north across Sunset Road to Harold Reckelberg Park. This park and trailhead has a large parking lot, portable toilet, information kiosk, self-service bicycle repair station, picnic table, and bench.
Map of trailheads and addresses along this section of the trail.
To reach the park by car from Wisconsin State Highway 54, turn south on Hillside Road. This intersection is 2.5 miles east of Luxemburg. After turning south, drive 350 feet. The road veers southwest. Drive 0.3 mile to Hawthorne Rd. Turn left (south) and drive 1.5 miles. Turn left (east) onto County Highway A. After 0.2 mile, the county road turns south. There, take Sunset Road to the left (east). The park is 0.4 mile on the left (north) side of the road.
The Ahnapee State Trail section from Algoma to Reckelberg Park is a delightful route for trail-goers. The final 3 miles of the route are particularly picturesque and secluded. It’s a splendid trip through the forests surrounding Kewaunee River and Casco Creek.
Trail last ridden and documented in September, 2023.