Ahnapee State Trail: Maplewood to Algoma
As the Ahnapee State Trail travels south from Maplewood to Algoma, it passes through fertile farmland, small groves of trees, and open marshes surrounding the Ahnapee River. One highlight of this trail section is Forestville Dam County Park. This Door County park has beautiful scenery and several amenities, and makes an inviting stop.
From Maplewood to Algoma, the trail runs 10.6 miles. The surface is screened limestone, and in good condition. The elevation varies slightlyalong the route, descending as the path nears and crosses the Ahnapee River.
From Sturgeon Bay to Algoma, the path is shared by hikers on the popular Ice Age National Scenic Trail. When approaching hikers, bicyclists should exercise caution and announce their presence. The trail is also open to horseback riders. As a courtesy and for safety, cyclists are required to dismount and walk their bicycles past horses.
The community of Maplewood contains a trailhead on the corner of Wisconsin State Highway 42 and County Highway H. The trailhead has a parking lot, pit toilet, self-service bicycle repair station, and picnic tables. A wooden fence runs along the path, separating the trailhead into two sections.
To reach the trailhead by car, turn south on Wisconsin State Highway 42 where it departs Wisconsin State Highway 57, south of Sturgeon Bay. It’s 2.6 miles south from that intersection to the trailhead parking lot. The little community developed in the second half of the 19th century. Lumbering, farming, and fruit growing were the main industries. The nearby Holy Name of Mary Catholic Church has a sanctuary from 1901, and still towers over the countryside. Today, Maplewood has one tavern.
The Ahnapee State Trail departs the Maplewood trailhead after crossing County Highway H. It turns south and passes through farm fields. Trees and bushes grow along the path, offering slight shade. In early autumn, remnant apple trees growing along the path tempt trail-goers to partake in a crisp, tart treat. In the 2.5 miles after Maplewood, the trail crosses Mill, Old Elm, and Center Roads.
After Center Road and near mile marker nine, an interpretive sign has been placed on the trail. It conveys the story of a nearby train wreck in April 1915. The engineer of the Ahnapee and Western locomotive was killed in the accident.
From Center Road, the trail runs 1.8 miles past farm fields, forests, and trailside apple trees to reach Forestville Dam County Park. This park is a solid rest stop and potential trailhead. Located off Mill Road next to a sizeable pond, it has a parking lot, restrooms, playground, picnic pavilion, grills and picnic tables, boat launch, and fishing dock. A self-service bicycle repair station is next to the trail.
Near the restroom, an interpretive sign tells the story of the dam. Built in 1877, the dam and gristmill served grain farmers throughout southern Door County. Damming the Ahnapee River created a shallow millpond. The area soon became a destination for nearby residents looking for leisure activities on weekends and holidays.
In 1934, the dam was replaced by the Works Progress Administration. The property was sold to the town of Forestville in 1949 for development as a park. In 1963, the town gave the park and dam to Door County. The current dam was built in 1982, with a modern spillway. Today the park is open to the public for various recreational activities. Fishing is popular, with anglers taking northern pike, rock bass, crappies, blue gills, and largemouth bass.
Forestville Dam County Park works well as a trailhead for the Ahnapee State Trail. By car, it is accessed from Wisconsin State Highway 42 in Forestville by turning west on County Highway J. Drive 0.3 mile and turn right (north) on West Avenue, also called Mill Road. The park entrance is 0.3 mile north, and the Ahnapee State Trail crosses the road.
Leaving the park on the trail, the path travels adjacent to the Ahnapee River for 0.3 mile, and crosses County Highway J in Forestville. Near this intersection is another trailside interpretive maker about Forestville’s railroad depot and local industries in the early 1900s. Area logging eventually gave way to farming and fruit orchards.
In the late 1850s, Joseph McCormick came to what is now Forestville. He persuaded others to come, bragging about the waterpower, timber resources, and potential quarrying opportunities. The village of Forestville was incorporated over a century later in 1960.
An interesting stop in Forestville is Cherry De-Lite and Country Ovens. It is 0.6 mile east of the tail on County Highway J. The shops sells a variety of products made from Door County cherries, including frozen cherries, juice, bakery, and chocolates.
After departing Forestville, the Ahnapee State Trail continues south along the edge of a marsh surrounding the river. Farm fields rise from the sloping hills to the left (east), while an expanse of reeds and cattails grow to the right (west). Along the way, the path crosses County Highway X. This intersection marks the line between Door County and Kewaunee County. Trail conditions are noticeably improved in Door County.
From Forestville, the path runs 2 miles before bridging the Ahnapee River. This is a perfect place to pause and observe the vast open river valley. Waterfowl, eagles, and other wildlife may be seen from this spot. Occasionally, trail-going anglers cast their lines from the bridge.
The path continues along the meandering river for 1.2 miles, heading south. It crosses Washington Road near Blahnik Heritage Park. This well-appointed Kewaunee County Park has its own series of trails and also offers fishing in the Ahnapee River. Facilities include a parking lot, restrooms, picnic tables and grill, and self-service bicycle repair station. The park makes a good rest stop or trailhead. By car, it is accessed from Wisconsin State Highway 42 south of Forestville by turning west on Washington Road. Drive 0.4 mile to the park’s entrance, located on the left (south) side of the road.
After Blahnik Heritage Park, the trail travels further south through forests bordering the river, which is no longer visible. Wilson Road crosses the trail 1.1 miles south of the park.
Next to the trail off Wilson Road is Ahnapee Shores Camping Resort. This full-service campground is accessible from the path, and serves trail-goers with over 70 sites. Another campground, Timber Trail Campground is found a half mile down the trail at the junction of County Highway M. Both campgrounds are frequently used by trail-goers.
The path’s intersection with County Highway M has another trailhead. This one has a large parking area, picnic table, trail map sign, and bike rack. A restroom is located next to the trail just a short distance north of the parking lot.
Over the next mile toward Perry Street, it becomes clear that the Ahnapee State Trail is entering the city of Algoma. Fields and forests give way to homes and businesses. The path crosses Birch Street, arriving at an intersection of the trail segment that travels from Luxemburg to Algoma. The two paths merge in an area that has picnic tables and an information kiosk. Mileage markers indicate distances to places on each section of the trail.
From Perry Street, it’s a half mile to a trailhead on 6th Street. The trail travels past several factories and crosses Silver Creek. In this section, the path surface becomes a mix of gravel and weeds. In some places, it is easier to bike on the factory parking lots than on the trail. The official trailhead is a fairly large gravel parking lot with an Ahnapee State Trail sign, across from 6th Street. No other facilities are located there.
Trail-goers may venture north on 6th Street 350 feet to DeMeuse Park. Primarily a dog park, it also has a parking area, portable toilet, bench, and fishing dock on the Ahnapee River. It may serve as a trailhead. Additionally, it’s only a half mile ride on city streets to Algoma’s American Legion Park or beautiful Crescent Beach, situated on the shore of Lake Michigan.
American Legion Park and Crescent Beach are located on Wisconsin State Highway 42 (Lake Street) in Algoma. To access the trailhead and DeMeuse Park on 6th Street by car from the state highway (4th Street), turn left on Navarino Street. Drive two blocks east and turn right (north) onto 6th Street. Go a short distance to the trailhead and park.
Algoma is a tourist destination with plenty of amenities. Crescent Beach is a popular place to relax on the beach or take a dip in the chilly waters of Lake Michigan. Libation lovers frequent Ahnapee Brewery and its lakefront patio to enjoy one of their tasty beers. Von Stiehl Winery is another long-time favorite. In addition to winery tours, a tasting room and shop, visitors may enjoy the music of their summer concert series.
Taverns, cafés, and restaurants in Algoma cater to visiting tourists and trail-goers. Most are located downtown. Across the road from Lake Michigan, Dairy Dean’s Family Restaurant is a hometown favorite diner with a full menu. They also serve delicious Kemp’s ice cream.
Map of trailheads and addresses along this section of the trail.
Before white settlement, the Potawatomi people had a village in this area. White Americans visited as early as 1834, and in 1851 a permanent white settlement emerged. The community was first called Wolf or Wool River, a name later changed to Ahnapee after a local Potawatomi legend of the “Great Gray Wolf.” In 1879, Ahnapee was incorporated as a city. But in 1897, the name changed again to Algoma, loosely translated from the Pottawatomie language to mean “valley of flowers.”
Immigrants from Ireland, Germany, Belgium, and Bohemia, as well as settlers from New England came to Algoma. A mill, general store, and churches developed, and the Ahnapee and Western Railway contributed to Algoma’s expansion. Commercial fishing on Lake Michigan added to the economy, and sport fishing is still a major tourist attraction today.
Trail last ridden and documented in September, 2023.