The Tuscobia State Trail Historyhe Tuscobia State trail is a refurbished 74-mile railroad grade once owned by the Chicago, Minneapolis, St Paul and Omaha Railway (The Omaha Road). Bought out by the Chicago & Northwestern Railway, this portion, called the Park Falls Line, once served as the lifeblood for the area through early logging, farming and settling.
During its peak, this line produced over 50 cars of logs per day well into the 1940’s and 1950’s. Extending from Tuscobia To Park Falls, Wisconsin, the trail is now owned by The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources and was converted to a recreation trail, beginning in the early 1970’s. Depending on the time of year, section of the trail and your particular interests, activities on the trail include ATV riding, snowmobiling, hiking, canoeing, fishing and bird watching. In Ojibwa, the Chippewa River is very close to the trail as is a very popular campground with camping, electricity, toilets, shelter, picnic tables and fire pits. Tuscobia Trail RecreationThe Tuscobia State Trail is a year-round multiple use recreational trail that offers opportunities for ATVs, snowmobiling, horseback riding, off-road bicycling and walking. Trail activities vary by time of year and by county. The western end of the trail is part of the Ice Age National Scenic Trail.
The trail may bring a number of different users to the trail at the same time. It is important to use good trail etiquette to ensure the enjoyment and safety of all trail users. From April 15 to November 15, the trail from Park Falls to just west of Birchwood is open to ATVs. The trail west of Birchwood to Rice Lake is closed to ATV use and is part of the 1000 mile Ice Age national Scenic Trail. (est.1958) One of eight national scenic walking/hiking trails, the Ice Age trail traces the edge of the most recent glacier moving through the area 75,000 – 10,000 years ago. There’s some interesting geography associated with the glaciers: Moraines, eskers, kettles All-Terrain VehiclesAll-terrain vehicle use varies by different sections on the trail. In Price County, ATVs are allowed on the trail during the summer months between April 15 and Nov. 15. From the Price/Sawyer county line to the Red Cedar Lake Bridge just west of Birchwood (Sawyer County and a small part of Washburn County), ATVs are allowed year-round on the trail, except during hunting seasons from Nov. 15 to Dec. 15. Operators must follow all Wisconsin ATV operation laws. The trail also provides numerous connections to many county ATV trail systems.
All-terrain vehicles are not allowed on the Tuscobia State Trail between the Red Cedar Lake Bridge and the junction with the Wild Rivers State Trail as this segment is currently designated as part of the Ice Age National Scenic Trail. All-terrain vehicles are permitted to cross west over the bridge to connect with Washburn County ATV trails, but must stay off the Tuscobia Trail corridor from the Red Cedar Lake Bridge to the Wild Rivers Trail. Park Falls to Price County / Sawyer County Line Summer Only (April 15 - November 15) Price County / Sawyer County Line to Red Cedar Lake Bridge Year-Round (Closed: November 15 - December 15) Red Cedar Lake Bridge to Wild Rivers Trail Not Allowed (Ice Age Trail) Walking and BicyclingThe entire trail is open to walking and bicycling year-round, though bicycling is not recommended. The trail is not groomed or surfaced and may be rough or soft in many sections. If you plan to bike the trail, the tread is more suitable for off-road bikes.
Pet owners, please be sure to have your pet on a leash, 8 feet or shorter, at all times. You must pick up after your pet. Horseback RidingThe entire trail is open to horseback riding. The trail is not groomed or surfaced and may be rough or soft in many sections. Riders must share the trail with motorized vehicles.
HuntingThe Tuscobia State Trail corridor is open to hunting from Park Falls west, approximately 64.5 miles, to the Washburn/Barron county line during the Wisconsin state parks hunting time frame. No hunting on the Tuscobia State Trail in Barron County. Certified Ice Age National Scenic Trail utilizes the Tuscobia State Trail corridor in Barron County.
Winter Seasonal ActivitiesSnowmobiles are permitted on the trail. Operators must follow all Wisconsin snowmobile laws. The trail also connects to numerous miles of county snowmobile trails.
The opening and closing of snowmobile trails are at the discretion of each county. Snowmobile trails that cross DNR lands are opened and closed consistent with the surrounding county (or counties). Whenever possible, the opening and closing of snowmobile trails are done on a county-wide basis, however, localized conditions may require localized trail opening and closing. It is the responsibility of the county to provide notification about the status of snowmobile trails. The Travel Wisconsin Snow Conditions Report [exit DNR], and local club and county snowmobile webpages [exit DNR] and telephone hotlines will provide the most current information. The trail is open to walking, bicycling, cross-country skiing and snowshoeing, however, the trail is not groomed and users must share the trail with snowmobiles. Skiers do not need a trail pass while using the trail. |
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