Hike, Ski, Ride
Trails in Taylor County, WI
Set out to see Rib Lake on miles of beautiful general use and specialized trails for hiking, biking, horseback riding, hunting, and ATV/off-road vehicles. Experience all the scenic joys Rib Lake has to offer year round! The many free and low-cost recreational trails that traverse Taylor County are among the most rewarding ways to experience the outdoors.
Cross-Country Skiing/Snowshoe
Snowmobile Trails
Leave No Trace
Each of us plays a vital role in keeping our state parks, forests, trails and recreation areas clean, happy and healthy for all visitors to enjoy! When recreating outdoors, it’s essential to be aware of your impact on the environment. Phrases like “pack in, pack out” and “take only photos” are everyday reminders among outdoor enthusiasts to help protect natural resources by leaving nature as unchanged as possible.
Ice Age Trail
Rib Lake is honored to be an Ice Age Trail Community. Taylor County is proudly home to approximately 65 miles of the Ice Age National Scenic Trail, the most of any Wisconsin county! Winding through public, county, and US National Forest Service land, the Ice Age Trail immerses hikers in the geological formations and landscapes sculpted by glacier movement from long ago. The Ice Age trail is reserved for foot travel only, ensuring an unbroken natural experience.
Their are many trail heads with convenient access from Rib Lake. Rib Lake segment offers beautiful hardwood forest trails for 4, 7, and 12 mile hikes during the spring, summer, fall and winter. The Wood Lake segment consists of 14.5 miles of trail, mainly footpath construction. You may snowshoe sections in the winter. Enjoy hiking or skiing past many small lakes and historic logging camps.
More than 12,000 years ago, an immense flow of glacial ice sculpted a landscape of remarkable beauty across Wisconsin. As the colossal glacier retreated, it left behind a variety of unique landscape features. These Ice Age remnants are now considered among the world’s finest examples of how continental glaciation sculpts our planet.
Parking & Trail Access: Access in and just north of Rib Lake. Ice Age Trail connects with Timm’s Hill National Trail.
Gerstberger Pines Nature Trail
This 3/4-mile, family-friendly hiking trail offers a unique glimpse into the history of Wisconsin’s forests through awe-inspiring ancient trees and educational signposts. Gerstberger Pines Nature Trail showcases one of the last sections of old growth forest in the state. Take an awe inspiring hike with towering white pines, red oak, yellow birch and hemlock trees that are up to 200 years old. The wood-chip path is marked by numbered posts describing the natural features and historical influences on this great forest.
Parking and Trail Access: The trail is located south of Rib Lake on Turba Road. From Rib Lake take 102 east to CTH C and drive south one mile to Fawn Avenue. Drive 1/2 mile east on Fawn to Turba Road and the trailhead is 1/2 mile south on Turba Road.
Forest Springs Trail
Looking for quiet spots to reflect on the landscape? Try the Forest Springs Trails. You will find diverse forest and natural streams to appreciate. In the summer, you can walk or bike this trail. Over 12 miles of gravel mountain bike trails give you a great view of the hardwood forest. Find picnic spots and rest benches along the way.
In the winter, cross-country skiers can explore 12 trail loops, each spanning about 1 to 2 kilometers. The naturally variable terrain provides routes ranging from easy to very difficult. Ski trails are groomed daily for classic and skate skiing styles. Separate snowshoe trails take a meandering path through the quiet winter landscape.
Timm’s Hill National Trail
The Timm’s Hill Trail is a 10 mile non-motorized trail connecting the Ice Age Trail to Timm’s Hill, which is Wisconsin’s highest natural point. The elevation of Timm’s Hill is 1951.5 feet. The trail is open year round for hiking, mountain biking, skiing, and snowshoeing. Horses are allowed on the THT from May 1st to November 15th.
In the winter, the trail is groomed for cross-country skiing and snowshoeing. Skis or snowshoes are required on the groomed trail.
Parking and Trail Access: The southern trailhead parking area is located at Rusch Preserve on Highway C in Taylor County just south of Rustic Road #1. While most of the trail is grassy terrain, the southern one-half mile was rebuilt in 2016 to include a kiosk with historical artifacts and a hillside rock wall of over 90 feet. Timm’s Hill Trail is maintained by volunteers.
Pine Line Trail
The Pine Line Trail spans 26.2 miles of former railroad bed between Taylor and Price counties and is named for the primary cargo shipped on the Wisconsin Central Railroad for over 100 years: eastern white pine. Tall pines still line the path to remind you of this rich history. Enjoy meandering scenery from dairyland, wetland, and rolling forests, including a trestle bridge and restored train depot waypoint in Ogema. From April to November, the limestone and gravel trail is open to bicyclists and hikers. Horses may also use four feet of clearance on the righthand side. During the remaining months, December through March, the trails are open for ATV and snowmobile use, weather permitting.
Access the Pine Line Trail in Taylor county from the Allman Street parking area in Medford or along municipal streets in the cities of Ogema, Westboro, Chelsea, and Whittlesey.
Aldo Leopold Trail
Aldo Leopold was an important figure in forming the modern ideas of conservation ethics and wildlife management. He was well known not just in Wisconsin but throughout the United States. His renowned book, entitled A Sand County Almanac (1949), is a work full of thoughtful reflections about the natural world. Plus, the ways humans influence nature, for better and for worse. Discover these ideas for yourself on your journey on this 1.2-mile hiking trail. Hikers and nature lovers can explore the life, ideas, and legacy of Aldo Leopold through a series of engraved educational signs.
The trail is open all year to foot traffic only. The trailhead is located about 25 miles northwest of Rib Lake off of Highway D, within the Mondeaux Hardwoods State Natural Area.
Taylor County Forest Trail
Access the rich natural resources of wild game on Taylor County Forest’s hunter walking trails. The county’s public hunting land is managed to preserve and grow the natural populations of Wisconsin’s top game animals like whitetail deer, turkey, ruffed grouse, coyotes, and many others. These hunting and trapping trails provide access throughout the county’s public hunting land so you can set up, take aim and bring home the big one.
Map: West Forest - West of Rib Lake
Rib Lake Ski and Snowshoe Trails
The Rib Lake Ski & Snowshoe Club trail system consists of 30 km of trails that are groomed at a minimum weekly, and after each snowfall as necessary, to ensure a quality experience for diagonal skiing, skate skiing, and snowshoeing. The trail system is open for free, public use during the ski and snowshoe season, but donations are always appreciated. The season typically begins December 15 and ends in late March. Well-behaved pets are welcome on the trail system.
Parking and Trail Access: Maps & More info
Winter Snowmobile Trails
Taylor County Motorized Trails
Taylor County has over 300 miles of groomed snowmobile trails maintained by 11 local snowmobile clubs. In the Rib Lake area, imagine unique ways to enjoy your snowmobile adventure in the Northwoods. Ride through beautiful hardwood and evergreen forests on winding trails in the Taylor County Forest and Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest. Adventurers experience varying landscapes from driving across frozen lakes to climbing rolling hills. Ride our trails this season and leave the crowds behind!
Portions of the trails are open to ATVs. ATVs are not allowed on the trails when the temperature is above 28 degrees. Quality food, lodging and services are trailside making us the perfect snowmobile destination!
Parking & Trail Access: Taylor County Up-to-Date Open/Closed Trail Info>
Day trips: Ride from Rib Lake to Price County Motorized Trails
Price County has 500 miles of groomed trails that easily connect to Taylor County trails through the Pine Line Rail Trail. Or you can ride from Rib Lake to the highest geographical point in Wisconsin – Timm’s Hill, and numerous connecting trails including the Tuscobia State Trail from Park Falls to Rice Lake.
Taylor County Horse Camp and Trail
Experience over 12 miles of marked trails within scenic Taylor County Forest lands. Trail riders and clubs are welcome here. Experience winding horse trails unfold into uninterrupted county forest lands.
Parking & Trail Access: Directions: From Rib Lake, follow Hwy 102 east & north onto Bear Avenue, Follow Bear Ave to off-road parking area.
County Forests & Pine Line Trail
Also check out our county forests for horseback riding trail options: Taylor and Price. The Pine Line Trail is seasonally open to horses.
ATV & UTV Trails
Camp 8 ATV Trail
This trail system is 15 miles of two-way trail on old logging roads around Camp 8 Flowage in Taylor Forest lands. Camp 8 offers rustic campsites on a 20 acre lake. Varied terrain includes hills, streams and marshy areas. Campsite area contains 6 rustic units, access to a hand pump well and a restroom facility. All ATV trails closed April 1-April 30 for spring breakup.
Parking & Trail Access: Taylor County Up-to-Date Open/Closed Trail Info>
Trailhead camping area is 6 miles east of Rib Lake. Ride the Camp 8 Trail from Rib Lake via Fawn Avenue. Drive to Camp 8 via Hwy 102 east to Wilderness Ave. At road ending fork, stay to the right (east/southeast).
ATV & UTV Trails
Taylor County ATV Routes
ATV through richly wooded forest lands of mixed evergreens and hardwoods. Climb hilly landscapes, cross streams and bridges while taking in the views. The road must be properly signed as an ATV/UTV route to be officially open. Please contact your local town officials with any questions concerning specific ATV/UTV ordinances. The laws may vary in each township. Trail access is available to lodging, restaurants and businesses.
Parking & Trail Access: Taylor County Up-to-Date Open/Closed Trail Info>
Day trips: Ride from Rib Lake to Price County ATV Routes
The Price County region offers 5 trail systems for motorized vehicle enthusiasts to explore. Not all 5 trail systems are open to all types (ATV, UTV & Off-road motorcycles) of motorized vehicles. Open and closed dates vary by trail and route. While ATVs and UTVs are allowed on these routes/public roads when the route is properly signed, only street legal & licensed.
ATV & UTV Trails
Pine Line ATV Routes
The Pine Line is a rail-trail in Taylor and Price counties. The trail is 26.2 miles long running from Allman Street in Medford to Morner Road in Price County. The southern most three miles of the trail is surfaced with limestone screenings. The remainder of the trails is surfaced with crushed gravel. This trail is part of the winter snowmobile/ATV trail system. It is open to non-motorized use when not open to snowmobiles.
Parking & Trail Access: Taylor County Up-to-Date Open/Closed Trail Info>
