Chippewa County: Forests, Lakes and History

In Chippewa County, glacial landscapes meet historic and cultural attractions. The Chippewa County Forest covers about 34,500 acres in the northern third of the county. Its rugged terrain, shaped by glaciation, is characterized by lakes, streams, ponds and wetlands. You can focus your trip entirely on nature experiences or combine forests and waterways with visits to museums and historic sites.

Trails Through Forests and Glacial Landscapes

The 14-mile section of the Ice Age Trail in the county runs from Brunet Island State Park to Plummer Lake. Along the way, it crosses glacial ridges and passes fast-flowing streams, three beaver dams and several undeveloped lakes. In winter, most of this section is suitable for cross-country skiing or snowshoeing. This means the kind of trail experience changes with the season: you can explore the landscape on foot or plan to do part of the route as a winter activity.

Other routes offer different experiences. Chippewa County manages recreational trails for hiking, horseback riding, snowmobiling, ATV riding and cross-country skiing, as well as the Old Abe Trail. This 19.5-mile multi-use trail follows a former railroad corridor and connects Chippewa Falls with Cornell. For ATV riding, the Chippewa County ATV Trail runs for more than 23 miles through the county forest. The route passes small lakes and beaver dams, with scenic views and opportunities to observe wildlife.

The Hay Meadow Horse Trail also explores a distinctive landscape: it passes through northern hardwood forests and rolling glacial moraine terrain, by lakes, ponds and wooded streams. At Chippewa Moraine State Recreation Area, you’ll encounter kettle lakes and other glacial landforms; the David R. Obey Ice Age Interpretive Center features exhibits on glacial, cultural and natural history.

Lakes, Parks and Natural Areas

Chippewa County has three campgrounds and four day-use parks on Long Lake, Otter Lake, the Holcombe Flowage and Round Lake. The parks offer opportunities for boating, fishing, swimming, hiking and picnicking. Lake Wissota State Park is located on a 6,300-acre artificial lake and features forests, prairie, trails and a swimming beach. It also has a boat launch and rentals of canoes, kayaks and stand-up paddleboards. Twenty miles of unpaved trails and two self-guided interpretive trails focused on the landscape round out the options.

If you’re interested in wetlands and diverse habitats, the county offers more places to explore. The Tom Lawin Wildlife Area near Jim Falls covers 2,282 acres of grassland, wetlands and wooded habitats. The Lowell Ohmart Wetlands form an extensive complex of marsh and wooded wetlands between Long Lake and Chain Lake. Cedar Creek there serves as a spawning area for muskellunge and northern pike. The best access to the wetlands is by boat via Chain Lake, from a boat launch on Clear Lake.

History, Architecture and Brewing Culture

The Chippewa Area History Center preserves the history of the county and makes it accessible to the public. At its spring and fall markets, you can visit local vendors and the museum shop, as well as view the exhibits. In Chippewa Falls, Leinenkugel’s offers tours of its original brewery, founded in 1867. The Leinie Lodge Taproom features seasonal beers and small-batch releases from the Pilot Brewery; the selection may change.

The Cook-Rutledge Mansion is an 1887 restored and furnished lumber baron’s home and an example of High Victorian Italianate architecture. In Cornell, Mill Yard Park combines riverside recreation with local history and access to the Old Abe State Trail. It also highlights a distinctive part of the lumber industry’s history: the Wisconsin Historical Society recognizes Cornell’s stationary lumber stacker as the only surviving stationary lumber stacker in the world.

Getting Here and Finding a Hotel

For travel to the area, Chippewa Valley Regional Airport on the southern edge of the county offers scheduled passenger and cargo service. USH 53 and State Highways 27, 40, 124, 178, 29 and 64 serve Chippewa County. As you plan your trip, you can first decide whether trails and glacial landscapes, lakes and water sports, or culture and history will be your main focus.

Discover more destinations: Cadott, Boyd, Bloomer, Lake Hallie, Chippewa Falls, Stanley, Wood County, Vilas County.

For the broader travel overview: Wisconsin.