Marinette County: Waterfalls, Forests and Trails

Waterfalls, river landscapes and extensive trails define the outdoor experiences in Marinette County. You can shape your stay around your interests, with hikes, biking routes, winter sports or a visit to local exhibits. Options range from individual parks and trails to a countywide waterfall program.

Waterfalls and Hiking Trails

Marinette County’s waterfall program includes 15 waterfalls and offers a self-guided tour with short and long hikes. About half of the waterfalls on this tour are in the county park system. The varied trail lengths give you flexibility when planning your day, without requiring you to commit to a particular hike duration.

Both Twelve Foot Falls and Eight Foot Falls are in Twelve Foot Falls Park. Veteran’s Falls is in Veteran’s Memorial Park on the Thunder River. These locations make waterfalls a clear focus for anyone who wants to include nature destinations in their trip.

Governor Thompson State Park has more than 16 miles of hiking trails. The Woods Lake area also has a 150-foot sandy beach for swimming. In Governor Earl Peshtigo River State Forest, Spring Rapids Trail is a five-mile trail system for hiking and cross-country skiing. Together, these examples show the variety of trails, from hiking in a state park to a trail also intended for winter activities.

The Strong Falls Trails are optimized for mountain biking, with 20 miles of challenging singletrack routes; they can also be used for hiking and biking. More than seven miles of hiking trails connect Goodman Park and McClintock Park. Parking and restrooms are available at the trailheads in both parks. When planning your days, you can choose between longer singletrack routes and a connection between two park areas.

River, Forest and Winter Activities

Governor Earl Peshtigo River State Forest includes 25 miles of river, 3,200 acres of water and 9,200 acres of forest. The forest has 16 public boat landings.

On Green Bay, Seagull Bar includes the only true dune complex and is an important resting area for migratory birds. For anglers, Caldron Falls is a notable location: it is the only Class A muskie water in Marinette County. If you’re more interested in winter activities, the county has more than 750 miles of snowmobile trails; Spring Rapids Trail adds to these options with its cross-country skiing use.

History and Local Products

The Marinette County Museum on Stephenson Island presents the county’s logging history. One exhibit focuses on Queen Marinette’s trading post on the Menominee River in the 19th century. The museum is wheelchair accessible, and free parking is available for cars, buses and RVs. A visit combines local history with practical information for getting around the area.

Forgotten Fire Winery also adds to the range of local offerings. It currently offers more than 25 wines, as well as hard cider and craft root beer. The selection may change, so check what’s currently available if you’re going for a particular product.

Explore More Destinations

Explore more destinations: Crivitz, Marinette, Pembine, Richland County, Juneau County, Eau Claire, Trempealeau County, Rusk County.

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