Woodland Walks Await in Flambeau River State Forest

Thick maple forests, wildlife, and other great scenery await day hikers in Wisconsin’s Flambeau River State Forest.

Though the state forest is best known for its whitewater rapids loved by kayakers, there’s plenty for landlubbers to do there. Among the great day hiking trails are:

Connors Creek Trail
Though primarily used by ATVs and snowmobiles, the trail leading south of County Road W from the Flambeau Hills Trails parking lot can be day hiked a little more than 2-miles one-way (4.2-miles round trip) to Connors Creek.

Lake of the Pines Trail
Another ATV/snowmobile trail, the route loops wide around the Lake of the Pines from the Flambeau Hills Trails parking lot. Turn around upon reaching the lake’s northern tip, at about 3 miles, for a 6-mile round trip.

Oxbo Trails
Day hikers can enjoy a walk through a thickly wooded area on a series of five short loops that total up to 8 miles in distance. Loop A, the easiest trail to access from a lot off of Wis. Hwy. 70, runs about 2.4 miles.

Rim Creek Loop
A beautiful forest walk amid maples and yellow birch offering an array of colors come autumn, awaits day hikers of this 4.9-mile trail. It heads north from the Flambeau Hills Trails parking lot via the Short Swing Loop (see below).

Short Swing Loop
Among the easiest trails in the state forest is the 1.1-mile Short Swing Loop, which is accessed via a stem trail at the parking lot off County Road W. The loop is used for cross-country skiing in winter.

Snuss Trail
Day hikers stand a good chance of spotting a variety of wildlife on this 4.3-mile (one way) route. About a mile after Hwy 70 crosses the Flambeau River’s north fork in Oxbo, turn right/south onto Snuss Boulevard; a parking lot is on the left.

Read more about day hiking Sawyer County, Wisconsin, in my Day Hiking Trails of Sawyer County guidebook.