Chippewa River State Trail
Chippewa River State Trail is a 26-mile urban-rural trail system in western Wisconsin that follows the path of the Chippewa River. The trails runs from the spot of the confluence of the Chippewa with the Eau Claire River, at Phoenix Park in downtown Eau Claire to the town of Durand where it meets up with the Red Cedar State Trail. A former railroad corridor, the trail passes through a variety of habitat including wetlands, prairies, and sandstone bluff.
The Chippewa River State Trail will eventually be part of the greater Chippewa River Trail System which also includes the Red Cedar State Trail and the Old Abe State Trail. Once completed, the system will include almost 70 miles (110 km) of trail and connect cities like Durand, Menomonie, Chippewa Falls, Eau Claire and Cornell. Currently, the Red Cedar and Chippewa River Trails connect Eau Claire and Menomonie, but there is no trail between Eau Claire and Chippewa Falls.
The trail is also connected with several smaller trails within the city of Eau Claire including a walking trail through Putnam Park on the far west side of the park. There is also access to the Farmer's Market in Phoenix Park, which is open on Saturday mornings.
Outside of the city limits of Eau Claire (between Interstate 90/94 and Durand), there is a fee to use the trail. $20.00 will buy an annual pass, while $4.00 will buy a day pass.
External links
- Chippewa River State Trail website from Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources
- Friends of Chippewa River State Trail website from Friends of the Chippewa River State Trail
