Chippewa River State Trail
The Chippewa River State Trail is a 30-mile recreational trail created through the “Rails to Trails” program. It begins at Phoenix Park in Eau Claire at the confluence of the Chippewa and Eau Claire Rivers. The trail follows the Chippewa River southwest to Durand. It travels through Eau Claire, Dunn, and Pepin Counties. From its start in Eau Claire, the trail’s surface is paved asphalt for 11 miles. The surface in the middle segment of the trail is an oil-based asphalt emulsion. For the final 6.5 miles to Durand, it returns to paved asphalt.
This trail is part of a larger network called the Chippewa Valley Trail System. At Phoenix Park, the Chippewa River State Trail joins Old Abe State Trail. The Old Abe State Trail heads north to Brunet Island State Park, covering over 30 miles. The Chippewa River State Trail also converges with the 15-mile Red Cedar State Trail in the Dunnville Wildlife Area near the confluence of the Red Cedar and Chippewa Rivers. In total, the Chippewa Valley Trail System covers nearly 80 miles from Brunet Island State Park to Durand and Menomonie.
Much of the Chippewa River State Trail follows a branch line of the former Chicago, Milwaukee, St. Paul, and Pacific Railroad. Better known as “The Milwaukee Road,” this Chippewa Valley line opened up in 1882. The railroad began abandoning sections of the line during World War I, and over the years slowly cut back other portions of it. The entire line was closed by the late 1970s.
The trail departs Phoenix Park and travels through Eau Claire. It is joined by other urban recreational trails, including one that goes to the state university there. In total, the city has about 30 miles of bike trails. They are all about 10 feet wide and paved with asphalt.
Outside of the city, the Chippewa River State Trail passes through a variety of landscapes. Occasionally, it runs through river bottoms and wetlands, but also passes by prairies and agricultural land. The bluffs of the nearby Chippewa River Valley are usually within view.
There is no charge to use the portion of the trail within the city of Eau Claire. Outside of the city, there is a $5 daily fee or $25 annual fee for use of the trail. Passes may be purchased at a DNR office, self-registration stations at various places along the trail, and some local businesses. Motorized vehicles are not permitted on the trail. Users should obey all posted rules. The trail is well-marked and well-provisioned. Convenient access points are in Eau Claire, a wayside on Highway 85, Caryville, Meridean, and Durand.
Route Descriptions