| Ahnapee State Trail | |
|---|---|
 Ahnapee State trail bridge over the frozen Kewaunee River | |
| Length | 48 miles |
| Established | 1974[1] |
| Use | Hiking, Biking, Horseback Riding, Snowmobiling |
| Website | Ahnapee State Trail,Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources |
| Trail map | |
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TheAhnapee State Trail (also known as theAhnapee Trail) is a multi-use trail along theAhnapee River and theKewaunee River in northeasternWisconsin.[2]
Beginning in downtownSturgeon Bay, the trail winds south along the Ahnapee and Kewaunee rivers toAlgoma,Casco,Luxemburg, andKewaunee. Near Casco, the trail branches off in three directions, west to Luxemburg, northeast towards Algoma and southeast towards the city of Kewaunee.[3]
TheIce Age Trail follows two sections of the Ahnapee State Trail corridor, for about 17 miles from downtown Sturgeon Bay inDoor County to Algoma and for another 10 miles from the city of Kewaunee through theC.D. Besadny Fish and Wildlife Area inKewaunee County.[4]
The trail is open to bicyclists, walkers, joggers, horseback riders, and pets on leashes. In the winter the trail is open to cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, and snowmobiling. The grade of the trail is entirely level, which although suitable is not the most ideal for cross-country skiing.[5]
Although the trail is open all 24 hours, the public park toilets located along the trail at theForestville Dam, the wayside inMaplewood, and S Neenah Ave. in Sturgeon Bay are only open a half hour before sunrise to 11 PM.[6]
In 2019, the trail was found to be the fourth most frequently visited county park in Door County in a voluntary response survey conducted by the county.[7]
TheAhnapee and Western Railway right of way was purchased by the state in 1970 at a cost of $25,000 for 200 acres of land.[8] The Ahnapee State Trail was constructed over the rail bed, traveling from the railway's original connection with the formerGreen Bay and Western Railroad tracks at Casco Junction to Sturgeon Bay. Many artifacts of the Ahnapee and Western Railway's history remain along the trail including steam locomotive boiler culverts, dated concrete bridges, several steel girder bridges, and many of the buildings that once housed rail-related industries.
WIS 42 (44°28′08″N87°30′03″W / 44.46889°N 87.50083°W /44.46889; -87.50083).