State Park with Great Trails

For the outdoor enthusiast Red Cedar State Trail located approximately 15 miles from Menomonie, Wisconsin is a "must visit'' location. The trail runs along the steep walls of the Red Cedar Valley. A map of the trail is available on the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources website. The Red Cedar trail passes through Irvington and Downsville and the Dunnville State Wildlife Area. No matter what your interest, walking, running, cross-country skiing, bicycling, and even snowshoeing, the hard packed stone surface can accommodate your recreational needs.

The Red Cedar trail connects to the Chippewa River State Trail near the Dunnville State Wildlife Area. Both trails are actually part of the larger Chippewa Valley Trail System. The trail runs about 6 miles south into Pepin County. If taken north, the trail will take the traveler approximately 20 miles to the town of Eau Claire.

The trail through the Red Cedar River Valley covers a variety of scenery from marshland, prairies, forests, and farming communities. The traveler will observe a wide range of rock formations and bluffs during the course of the journey. In addition to the flora throughout the area, there is good chance that the trip will allow the observant participant an up close and personal encounter with the wildlife native to the area. It is common to see whitetail deer, bald eagles, grouse, turkeys, pheasant, hawks, and a variety of other forest residents during the journey along the trail. Numerous songbirds can be seen as well, both residents and other birds just passing through on their way to their seasonal residences.

As mentioned previously, the trail is not limited to spring, summer and fall traveling. Winter is also a very popular time of year to use the trail system. People choose to use the Red Cedar trail in the winter for a variety of reasons, not the least of which is the peacefulness and serenity found during the cold weather months. Those hearty individuals interested in snowshoeing or cross-country skiing have a real treat in store when traveling December through March. Just a warning to the snowshoe enthusiasts, portions of the trails are groomed for cross-country skiers only. Snowshoe use is not allowed on these well-marked areas. Candlelight ski events are popular in some areas of the trail. Also, the trail system prohibits the use of snowmobiles. Users of the trail system are asked to practice the strict rule of "carry in/carry out'' in an effort to maintain a pristine environment. Remember to leave the trail in the same shape that you would like others to leave it for you.

Hunting is also prohibited in the Red Cedar State Trail. The one exception is the Dunnville Wildlife Area. This is in the southern end of the trail located at County Highway Y to the Chippewa River State Trail. All other areas of the trail are limited to those traveling through the trail system by one of the means mentioned previously.

Bike and paddle trips are also popular. A former rail system parallels the Red Cedar River. Canoeists and kayakers can traverse the river downstream and bike back to their starting points.

Bicyclists and cross-country skiers 16 years of age or older must purchase a state trail pass in order to use the trail system. Passes are available through the Department of Natural Resources or at the Menomonie depot trailhead or in Downsville.