Favorite Trails for you & your Pooches
Voyager Village Dog Park
This brand new dog park is meant to let your pooches run! Separate parks for small dogs and large dogs keep the wrestling to a minimum. New dedicated owner benches, and follies (mounds, hills and tunnels) for your pooch let them explore and play, all within the fenced in and landscaped area. This is located in Voyager Village, next to the Ski Challet building (located at the end of Challet Road).
Wild River State Trail (shared trail) - @ Minong or Trego
This is a 440 mile trail from Superior WI to Rice Lake that serves as a summer hiking trail (minimal grade former rail corridor), great for running, biking, walking with dogs (in the winter it is a popular cross country ski and snowmobile trail). Technically, dogs should be leashed, but well maintained dogs (as you will run into others on the trail) should have plenty of room on this maintained, wide, dirt and gravel trail. This is about a 15 minute drive from the cabin (depending upon where you start).
Smith Creek Dog Park - 15931 Company Lake Road, Hayward WI
This spacious, natural dog park is a great place to let your best dog friend run free. Lots of terrain, open grass and access to the water for a quick dip. This is not fenced in however, and is minimal maintenance, so your pooch should be trained. Parking is minimal, just find a spot on the side of the road. This is a part of the town of Hayward Recreational Forest land. This is about a 20 minute drive from the cabin.
Trego Nature Trail - US Highway 63 North Trego, WI
This is a great 3 mile trail, very easy to navigate and a loop that passes the Namekagon River through forest and prairie areas. This is in the St Croix National Scenic Riverway. The trail starts near the Namekagon visitor center, so its a great place to acclimate to the week and learn about the area. Though this is one of the shorter trails in the area, it is one of my favorite as it is well maintained, loops, has pretty scenery and animal watching along the way. This is about a 8 minute drive from the cabin.
Ice Age Trail - (shared trail)
This is a leased dog trail area. This popular spot is also good for hiking, biking, and snow mobile and cross country in the winter. There are some areas that are "no dogs" but they are signed. This trail spans the entire width of Wisconsin, from the northwoods, south down the length of Wisconsin, across the boarder and back up to the Green Bay area. This is about a 35 minute drive from the cabin.
Seeley Ski Trail - Seeley WI
Ok, it is called the "ski trail" but it is open to dogs, winter and summer. These trails are minimal maintenance, forested trails, located of Old County Highway 00 and about 10 miles long.. It is GPS'able and the trail head is located right off of County Hwy 00 with parking. I you are looking for a people-meal or refreshment after, the SawMill in Seeley has a small outdoor dining area and will allow dogs.
Sophie's Dog Bakery - Main Street Hayward
OK. So this is not a trail. But after a long day out, who doesn't deserve a bit of a treat? Located right in downtown Hayward, Sophie's caters to dogs. Speaking of catering to dogs, many downtown restaurants (such as Angler's and Main Street Taco) will have water bowls available, and some stores, like the bike store, even have a "store dog", if your dog is friendly to others.
Stone Lake Community Wetland Park - Stone Lake WI
This is a great nature trail through wooded areas and wetlands. It is highly maintained with some areas of dirt trails, some paved and some boardwalk. Plus it is located near the downtown of Stone Lake, where a few shopping and dining areas. This is a popular family nature walk due to the gentle trail, short distance and variety of nature.
Gandy Dancer State Trail - Hinkley WI
Great shallow, gradual trails for pets and people. Wide trail, groomed of dirt and small gravel. This is a popular mixed use trail that is less utilized the Wild Rivers, but offers very similar experiences. It is about 40 minute drive from the cabin.
Spooner Park: A trail near Spooner’s downtown worth exploring is Spooner City Park where you’ll find about a mile paved trail which connects to miles of other wooded hiking trails. There is also a playground for the kids and picnic pavilion. Dogs are welcome on a leash.
A great place to look up trails (for dogs or bike, horse, snowshoe, etc.) is Dog Trail Ap: www.norwistrails.com