Photo: Wisconsin DNR
Named for the Bearskin Creek the trail follows, this former railroad corridor is an opportunity to experience the Northwoods of Wisconsin. The railroad line was built to export white pine logs from the forests of northern Wisconsin to the cities of the Midwest. Today the trail is a 21.5-mile recreation corridor between Minocqua and Tomahawk, surfaced with compacted granite suitable for walking and bicycling in summer and snowmobiling in winter.
Quick answers
When is the best time to visit Bearskin State Trail?
It depends on what you came for. Fall color is best in September–October; boating & paddling in June–September; biking in May–June and September–October; and snowmobiling in January–February.
What can you do at Bearskin State Trail in each season?
Winter (December–February): hiking, snowmobiling, cross-country skiing and snowshoeing. Spring (March–May): hiking and biking. Summer (June–August): hiking, boating & paddling and biking. Fall (September–November): hiking, fall color, boating & paddling and biking.
Do you need a state park sticker at Bearskin State Trail?
Not for the trail itself: walking and hiking Bearskin State Trail are free. Riders 16 and older need a state trail pass for biking: $5 a day or $25 a year. If you park in a lot inside a state park, forest or recreation area, that lot still needs a vehicle sticker.
What state parks and trails are near Bearskin State Trail?
The closest state properties, as the crow flies: Willow Flowage (10 mi), Northern Highland American Legion State Forest (11 mi) and Turtle-Flambeau Scenic Waters Area (35 mi).
Good for
- Biking
- Boating & paddling
- Hiking
- Snowmobiling
- Snowshoeing
- Cross-country skiing
Best months
January · February · May · June · July · August · September · October
Visiting
- Admission: A state trail pass is required is required for bicycling.
- Hours: The trail is open year-round.
- Phone: 715-842-2522
Nearby
- Willow Flowage (10 mi)
- Northern Highland American Legion State Forest (11 mi)
- Turtle-Flambeau Scenic Waters Area (35 mi)
- Council Grounds State Park (36 mi)
- Wolf River State Trail (48 mi)
Closures and alerts for Bearskin State Trail: updates · RSS · JSON Feed
Text and park details on this page come from the property's DNR pages, checked every Monday; last change October 24, 2026. Closures and notices load live. Check current conditions before you go.