Fox River State Trail: Greenleaf to De Pere

It is 9.4 miles from Greenleaf, north to Voyageur Park in De Pere on the Fox River State Trail. The path travels mostly through farm country, also passing through forested stretches near rivers and creeks. In De Pere, the landscape changes to residential neighborhoods and light industry. A highlight of this trail section is the final half mile in De Pere. Here the path runs close to the Fox River, offering stunning vistas across the water.

The surface of the Fox River State Trail from Greenleaf to Lasee Road is crushed limestone. The path’s condition in this 3.5-mile section is very good, and the route runs in a straight line. At Lasee Road, the surface turns to paved asphalt, in excellent condition. Center lines provide two lanes on the paved section. This entire segment is well-marked. Rest areas, trailheads, and park benches are found along the route.

This entire section of the trail is graded downhill, making a pleasant ride. Traffic on the trail increases near and within De Pere. Practicing safe, cautious biking is required when using the trail. Caution is especially needed at intersections – not only due to vehicle traffic, but also to navigate the blue gates across the trail in these places.

The Greenleaf trailhead is located on Follett Street. By car, it is accessed from Wisconsin State Highways 32-57 on the north side of the village. Turn east from the highway onto Fair Road. Drive 175 yards to Follett Street. Turn right (south) and drive 0.3 mile to the trailhead. This is the only way to the trailhead by car. It has a parking lot, portable toilet, covered picnic table, information kiosk, self-registration station, and bicycle self-service station.

A family restaurant and gas station with convenience store are located near the trailhead. Before venturing north on the trail, cyclists may want to head south a short distance to see the Historic Greenleaf Volunteer Firehouse. Greenleaf was named after Emery B. Greenleaf, the general manager of the Milwaukee & Northern Railroad. That rail line came through the area in 1873, and the route now serves as the recreational trail.

Returning to the Fox River State Trail, the path departs the Greenleaf trailhead and journeys north. It crosses Fair Road and Deuster Road before Wisconsin State Highway 32-57 emerges next to the trail. The highway parallels the path to the west for nearly a mile. The Niagara Escarpment rises from the horizon less than a mile to the east. This lengthy ridge of dolomitic limestone runs through Wisconsin, Michigan, Ontario, and New York. It creates Niagara Falls, and locally is known as “The Ledge.”

It is 1.3 miles from Greenleaf to LedgeStone Vineyards and Winery. To the right (east), some of its vineyards grow next to the trail. The winery is charmingly set at the foot of the Niagara Escarpment, and a perfect place to enjoy a glass or bottle of a barrel-aged red or dry white wine. The Marquette, a dry red wine, is highly recommended. In addition to wine, patrons may partake in a selection of hand-crafted small bites and entrees on a beautiful patio. During the summer, the winery hosts live music including jazz and blues.

Continuing north from LedgeStone Vineyards and Winery, the Fox River State Trail journeys 2.1 miles to Lasee Road. Along the way, it crosses School, Partridge, and Wrightstown Roads. It also bridges two branches of the East River. The trail passes through forests by these small streams. Otherwise, the landscape is open farmfields. A corridor of trees and bushes along the trail provides occasional shade.

At Lassee Road, the trail’s surface turns to paved asphalt with a center line. The paved section runs 6.1 miles to Voyageur Park. From Lasee Road, it is a half mile to Eiler Road, and another mile to Midway Road. A trailhead at Midway Road has a parking lot, portable toilet, picnic table, information kiosk, and self-service pay station. By car, the trailhead is reached by driving 0.7 mile east on Midway Road from Wisconsin State Highway 32-57.

North of Midway Road, the Fox River State Trail crosses the East River. It is one mile to Old Martin Road. From the trail, the historic Scray Cheese Factory and Shoppe is 0.3 mile to the right (west). This cheese factory has been operating since 1924 and specializes in Gouda, cheddar, and butter. Their fresh cheese curds are highly recommended. Trail-goers may also enjoy coffee drinks or select from several flavors of Cedar Crest Ice Cream.

Returning to the Fox River State Trail, it is another mile from Old Martin Road to Rockland Road. Here the trail enters De Pere. While still traversing the rural countryside, residential subdivisions begin to appear. The landscape changes to light industry in the 0.9 miles between Rockland and Heritage Roads. A trailhead without a parking lot is found at Heritage Road. It has an information kiosk, covered park benches, drinking water, self-service registration station, and self-service bicycle repair station.

It is one more mile to Bomier Boat Launch on the Fox River. Before arriving there, the trail passes under Wisconsin State Highway 32-57, traverses a wooded neighborhood, and crosses Cook and Bomier Streets. The boat launch is well-equipped with a parking lot, covered picnic area, drinking water, and flush toilet restrooms. By car, the boat launch is accessed by turning east from Wisconsin State Highways 32-57 onto Bomier Street in De Pere. Then turn right (north) onto Fox River Drive to reach the parking lot.

Bomier Boat Launch may serve as a trailhead. It is certainly worth stopping to enjoy the view: the site offers an amazing view of the Fox River. The scenic buildings of St. Norbert College are visible on the opposite bank. At this location, the Fox River bends and falls 10 feet over a dam. The Claude Allouez Bridge spans the broadening river, and Ahlstrom Nicolet Mill stands on the other side. The Fox River is called “the hardest working river in America” due to the number of mills and factories its waters power. 

The Fox River State Trail then advances north for a half mile to Voyageur Park. Along the way, it travels alongside the river through a narrow greenway called Wells Park. The path passes under the Claude Allouez Bridge, and crosses James and William Streets. Several apartment and condominium buildings surround the trail there.

Voyageur Park sits on nearly 22 acres next to the Fox River, within the De Pere Lock and Dam Historic District. The park is an excellent trailhead. It has ample parking, picnic tables, restrooms, a playground, information kiosk, self-registration station, and self-service bicycle repair station. By car, Voyageur Park is accessed by turning east onto William Street from Wisconsin State Highway 57 (N. Broadway). William Street leads into the park.

Trail-goers may want to digress from the path at Voyageur Park to tour De Pere’s Riverwalk. A path begins at the park and crosses a bridge over the Army Corps of Engineers Lock and Canal. Then it winds past two historic lockkeeper buildings. The path ends on a long pier extending into the Fox River. The pier offers views of bald eagles, cormorants, American White Pelicans, and other birds. The vistas of the river are spectacular.

The grounds of Voyageur Park are filled with history. For centuries, Native Americans lived and gathered food along the plentiful banks of the Fox River. In 1668, French fur trade Nicholas Perrot set up warehouses here to store trade goods and furs. He used this area as a base, from which he traveled west into the wilderness to barter with Native Americans, or return back east to Montreal with the valuable packs of furs he had acquired.

In 1671, French Jesuit missionary Claude Allouez established St. Francis Xavier Mission here. The mission’s objective was to convert Native Americans to Christianity. Since the missionary fathers (or Peres) lived by the waterfall on the Fox River, the area became known as the “Rapides de Peres.” The city’s name (“De Pere”) comes from that early French expression. In 1673, explorers Father Jacques Marquette and Louis Joliet stayed at the mission before heading upriver on their famous journey to explore the Mississippi River.  

Several historical markers in Voyageur Park convey this history and more. One historical marker stands next to a restored automobile service station. The Polo-Resto Service Station was built in 1925 by Charles Hall. It served motorists traveling on old Highway 41, now Riverside Drive in Allouez. The historic gas station now stands at the entrance to Voyageur Park, and certainly is a piece of nostalgia from the past.

With amazing views of the Fox River, a historic past, and ample amenities, Voyageur Park is a special place on the Fox River State Trail. The city of De Pere also has a lot to offer trail-goers, with many downtown businesses catering to tourists. The historic Union Hotel and Restaurant is a popular and nostalgic place to eat. The Ennis Inn Hotel and Pub caters to people looking for an Irish dining experience. History lovers may want to tour White Pillars Museum, an enclosed historic building next to Voyageur Park.

There are several coffee shops, bakeries, and a candy store to tempt trail-goers in De Pere. Seroogy’s Chocolates is located downtown and offers decadent treats. Black Honey Hashery serves breakfast and delicious coffee drinks. Voyageurs Bakehouse and Delights Bakery and Café both offer a variety of tasty baked goods and pastries.

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

Over its 9.4 miles from Greenleaf to DePere, the Fox River State Trail moves from a rural landscape to an urban setting. A transition also occurs with the path’s crushed limestone surface changing to paved asphalt at Lasee Road. More trailheads are found near De Pere, where the traffic increases. A highlight of the ride is the outstanding views of the Fox River at Bomier Boat Launch, De Pere Riverwalk, and Voyageur Park.

Trail ridden and documented in August, 2026.