Newton Blackmour State Trail: Shiocton to New London

It’s an 8.5 mile journey from Shiocton to New London on the Newton Blackmour State Trail. The route passes through farm country and along a large forest, before traveling next to Wisconsin State Highway 54. The trail ends in the lowlands surrounding the Wolf and Embarrass Rivers. The path surface is crushed limestone, in fair condition. The elevation drops about 15 feet from Shiocton to New London.

Bamboo Bend Park in Shiocton makes a good trailhead. It’s on Wisconsin State Highway 54 on the village’s west side. The park sits next to a large bend in the Wolf River and is a popular place to watch sturgeon travel upriver in their spring spawning migration. Amenities include a large parking lot, covered picnic pavilion, park benches, and portable toilet. A large statue of “Stanley the Sturgeon” is also there.

Shiocton has several taverns, restaurants, and convenience stores that serve visiting trail-goers. Its name comes from the word Shioc, the name of a group of Menominee tribal members who once lived in the area. In Shiocton, the Shioc River flows into the Wolf River. The Menominee call this place Māēnomehsāyak, meaning “wild rice along the banks.”

From Bamboo Bend Park, trail-goers take Old 54 Road south for 0.3 mile to reach the Newton Blackmour State Trail. Turning right (west) on the trail leads to New London. For the first mile, the tree-lined path passes farm fields. The route then enters a dense forest.

After entering the forest, the path runs 1.5 miles before hitting Country Highway M. At this intersection, Wisconsin State Highway 54 arrives alongside the trail and runs adjacent for the next 4.5 miles. A mile after crossing M, the forest gives way to agricultural lands. A large moraine may be seen to the south in the distance. Moraines are long ridges of rocks and sediment called glacial till, formed by ancient glaciers.

Although not visible from the trail, south of the moraine sits Hortonville Bog State Natural Area. It is considered one of the best bogs in southern Wisconsin. This bog has no open water, and its sphagnum moss is very spongy. It is surrounded by tamarack, black spruce, and white cedar trees. Poison sumac grows abundantly. The bog is home to numerous bird species including the winter wren, Canada warbler, Nashville warbler, white-throated sparrow, sharp-shinned hawk, northern waterthrush, and Lincoln’s sparrow.

Back on the Newton Blackmour State Trail, the route crosses several roads in the five miles after County Highway M. They are Lower Road, Old 54 Road, Bonnin Road, Liberty Hall Road, House Road, and County Highway S. Caution should be used when crossing the roads, especially busy County Highway S. After House Road, Wisconsin State Highway 54 turns west and away from the trail.

The trail next navigates under U.S. Highway 45 and its access ramps. A chain-link fence runs alongside the trail here, while the path makes several turns and crosses under two road bridges. After crossing under the highway, the path turns right (north) and passes between the highway to the right (east) and swampy wetlands to the left (west).

After 0.2 mile, the trail turns back to the southwest, and continues another 0.2 mile along River Road to the New London Jaycees Dog Park. The trail also passes a parking lot on River Road that may serve as a trailhead. The dog park has more amenities with a parking lot, picnic shelter, and portable toilet.

By car, the New London Jaycees Dog Park is accessed from Wisconsin State Highway 54. Just east of its intersection with U.S. Highway 45, turn south onto River Road. Drive 0.2 mile to the park, on the left (east) side of the road.

The Newton Blackmour State Trail continues a short distance past the dog park, then abruptly ends. In the future, New London city officials hope to build  a bridge over the nearby Embarrass River and extend the trail to Pfeifer Park. This city park is closer to downtown, and has more amenities.

^{Map of trailheads and addresses along this section of the trail.}

Members of the Menominee Nation first lived in this area near the Wolf River. They call this spot Sakēmāēwataenoh, meaning “mosquito place.” After an 1836 treaty between the Menominee and U.S. Government, land became available for purchase. This led to the establishment of New London in 1852. It was named after another city in Connecticut by Reeder Smith, an early settler. New London became a lumber center, and the terminus of early steamboats coming up the Wolf River from Oshkosh. It is also home to Wisconsin’s state dog, a registered breed named the American Water Spaniel.

New London has a variety of restaurants, taverns, and fast food establishments that serve visiting trail-goers. Not far from the trail, the Family Bake Shop downtown is known locally for their croissants and cream cheese croissants. They also serve various other pastries, pan dulce, cookies, and cupcakes.

Trail last ridden and documented in August, 2024.