Fox River State Trail
The Fox River State Trail rolls for 26 miles from farming communities in Calumet and Brown County to downtown Green Bay. The trail begins in a marshy, rural area two miles north of Hilbert, and heads north through rich agricultural lands. It travels along the east bank of the river bearing its name for the last 6 miles through De Pere, Allouez, and Green Bay.
The 6-mile route adjacent to the Fox River covers some of the most historic ground in Wisconsin. Green Bay is the oldest community in the state. Its location between the Great Lakes and Mississippi River on the Fox-Wisconsin waterway has made it an important center of trade and transportation for centuries. Today, 14 port businesses in Green Bay move two million tons of cargo on more than 200 ships each year.
Native Americans first lived along the Fox River and Green Bay years before European contact. In the late 1600s, Jesuit missionaries and French fur traders inhabited the area. Military posts in Green Bay were garrisioned by French, British, and American soldiers over a span of 150 years. Each regime saw the strategic importance of the area known as “La Baye.” The Fox River State Trail cuts through some of the earliest settlements in the state.
In 1873, the Milwaukee and Northern Railroad laid the line that would eventually become the Fox River State Trail. The Chicago, Milwaukee, St. Paul, and Pacific Railroad (also known as “The Milwaukee Road”) took over the route in 1893. It ran the line until selling it to the Soo Line in 1985. The Soo Line’s ventures with the route were short-lived, and by 1999 the tracks were removed. Work began on the trail project in 2001.
One remnant of the old “Milwaukee Road” still remains along the trail and is worth stopping to view. The historic railway depot in Green Bay was built in 1898. The building is an outstanding example of Flemish Renaissance Revival architecture. It is located at 400 S. Washington Street in downtown Green Bay and currently houses a private business. But a historical marker and park benches are located there along the trail for those who want to absorb its history and take a look.
The southern 14 miles of the Fox River State Trail is crushed limestone and in good condition. Horseback riding is permitted on this portion of the trail south of Greenleaf. South of De Pere, at the junction with Lassee Road, the surface turns to asphalt. The two-laned, paved trail is in excellent condition for the northern 11 miles. The path is well-marked with signage throughout the entire route.
As the trail surface changes, so does the landscape. Heading north toward De Pere, the landscape changes from agriculture to suburban and light industrial. The scenery transitions again as the trail moves beyond De Pere into Allouez and Green Bay. Here the trail passes by residential backyards and traverses quiet forests and parks. In downtown Green Bay, the trail winds through the busy urban riverfront. There are many rest areas along this 6-mile section to stop and enjoy scenic views of the Fox River’s and its shoreline.
The Fox River State Trail runs from Ott Road, north of Hilbert in Calumet County, to the corner of South Adams and Porlier Streets in Green Bay. The DNR state trail officially ends there, but the paved trail continues northward 2 miles to downtown Green Bay. It meanders by businesses, restaurants, and pubs there. The trail ends at the confluence of the Fox and East Rivers, but the bike path continues east under the name of the East River Trail.
The Fox River Trail is accessed from trailheads in Forest Junction, Greenleaf, De Pere, Allouez, and Green Bay. There is a $5 daily usage fee, or a $25 annual pass may be purchased. Passes may be obtained at a DNR office, or from self-registration stations at various places along the trail. Motorized vehicles are not permitted on the trail. Horses are permitted on a southern section of the trail. Obey all posted signs.
Route Descriptions