Devil’s River State Trail: Maribel to Rockwood Road
From Maribel to Rockwood Road, the Devil’s River State Trail travels southwest for 9.4 miles through Manitowoc County’s fertile farmland. The landscape is mostly agricultural fields and cattle pastures. The trail also journeys through several forests, bridges Francis Creek, and cuts through the village of Francis Creek.
The wide trail is crushed limestone and in very good condition. Both hiking and horseback riding are permitted on the trail in Manitowoc County. Public parks are located close by in Maribel and Francis Creek Park. Benches have been placed along the route, and markers indicate each quarter-mile interval. At intersections, road names are clearly labeled.
In Maribel, the village’s youth sports park and attached Lions Club Park may serve as a trailhead. Located east of the trail on Mulberry Street, the parks have picnic shelters, restrooms, a playground, athletic courts, and ball diamonds. By car from Interstate Highway 43, take exit 164 west. Drive one mile on County Highway Z to the edge of Maribel. Then turn right (north) onto Mulberry Street to access the parks.
Maribel was named after a nearby mineral spring, and Cherney Maribel Caves County Park is not too far away. The park is home to significant geological formations of Niagara Dolomite. Small caves and crevices are found along the rocky cliff face above West Twin River. The park has picnic and playground areas, hiking trails, and fishing opportunities.
The remains of Maribel Caves Hotel are adjacent to the park. This old world, European-style hotel and resort was built in 1900. Featuring a natural spring on the property, it operated for decades as a therapeutic spa. Today only its stone rubble remains.
Back in Maribel, the Devil’s River State Trail is accessed from the parks by turning right (west) onto County Highway Z (Belmar Avenue) from Mulberry Street. Bike 350 yards east and turn left (south) onto the trail. The trail goes southwest out of Maribel into farm country.
From Maribel, it’s 1.6 miles to the trail underpass for Interstate Highway 43. The path continues southwest through farm fields and pastures, with a line of trees surrounding the trail. In this section the path crosses Pleasant Road and Hidden Valley Road.
The farming landscape continues for the next 1.5 miles until County Highway R. In one spot, trees and bushes fall away to reveal a view of the 141 Speedway. This 1/3-mile dirt track hosts weekly racing programs, including stock-car racing on Saturday nights in the summer. Further down the trail, a parking lot is located on Greenstreet Road.
The rural scenery remains constant for the duration of the trail. Fields, pastures, and farmsteads stretch over the countryside. Hardwood forests line the fields and fill small lots. In the 3 miles from County Highway R to Meadow Lane, the trail crosses County Highway Y (Fisherville Road), Quarter Road, Mapleview Lane, and Diamond Road.
The Devil’s River State Trail brings bird-watching opportunities, including the chance to see graceful sandhill cranes. In late summer, raspberry bushes ripe with fruit appeal to trail-goers. However, the invasive plant wild parsnip is also grows on the trail’s edges. Contact with wild parsnip may cause blistering, skin discoloration, and chemical burns. If trail-goers are unfamiliar with wild parsnip, it’s worth looking up so it can be identified and avoided.
About 150 feet southwest of Meadow Lane, the trail spans Francis Creek over an old concrete bridge built for the railway in 1911. The bridge is an impressive 24-foot concrete arch hanging 16 feet above Francis Creek. Below in the forested valley, the creek flows northeast to join the West Twin River.
From the bridge, it’s 0.3 mile to the village of Francis Creek. Pla-Mor Park is situated next to the trail. This 20-acre park has a playground, 9-hole disc golf course, horseshoe pits, 3 baseball diamonds, athletic courts and fields. There are two picnic pavilions, and a walking path around the west side of the park. Pla-Mor Park is located on the corner of Oakwood Road and Parkway Road in Francis Creek.
The village of Francis Creek dates to 1850 with the establishment of a post office. German emigrants came here in the late 1840s, and settled along the old Green Bay Road (now County Highway R). Soon a small community developed, named for the nearby stream.
From Francis Creek it’s 2.5 miles to the trail’s end at Rockwood Road. After crossing Berringer Road, the path turns south. Lined with a tree corridor, the trail continues through agricultural land. The trailhead on Rockwood Road is basic but appreciated, containing a small parking lot. Across the road is Carmeuse Manitowoc Operations. The company quarries stone and manufactures lime.
Map of trailheads and addresses along this section of the trail.
By car, the trailhead is reached from Interstate Highway 43. Take exit 154 east on U.S. Highway 310 for 1 mile. Turn left (north) on County Highway R and drive 1 mile. Turn right (east) on Rockwood Road and go 0.4 mile. The trailhead is on the left (north) side of the road.
A ride on the Devil’s River State Trail can be a peaceful experience. The section from Maribel to Rockwood Road sees few users, so trail-goers are often alone on the journey. It’s a low-key, pleasant ride through the charming landscape of Manitowoc County farm country.
Trail last ridden and documented in July, 2023.