Ride safely - Wisconsin Department of Tourism
Ride safely - Wisconsin Department of Tourism
Ride safely - Wisconsin Department of Tourism
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19<br />
JUST THE FACTS<br />
DISTANCE: 150 miles.<br />
DIFFICULTY: Easy to moderate<br />
TRAILHEAD LOCATION: At the Wild<br />
Rivers Interpretive Center in Florence;<br />
and in Tipler near the intersection <strong>of</strong><br />
the Nicolet State Trail and Hwy 70.<br />
SEASON: Open year-round, except for<br />
the spring dry-out.<br />
OTHER TRAILS IN THIS REGION:<br />
The Florence County trail system connects<br />
to systems in Marinette and<br />
Forest Counties, and to trails in Iron<br />
County, Michigan.<br />
CAUTION: Carry extra fuel and watch<br />
the fuel gauge; gas stations are few<br />
and far between in Florence County.<br />
FEES: None.<br />
AREA ATTRACTIONS: The Wild<br />
Rivers Interpretive Center and the historic<br />
courthouse and jail, both in<br />
Florence, an ATV park just south <strong>of</strong><br />
Florence, LaSalle Falls and Washburn<br />
Falls, and scenic overlooks at Keyes<br />
Peak, LePages Creek and Pine River.<br />
LEGEND: For a complete listing <strong>of</strong> all<br />
icons, see page 4.<br />
FOR MORE INFORMATION:<br />
Wild Rivers Interpretive Center<br />
888/889-0049<br />
www.florencewisconsin.com<br />
La Salle Falls.<br />
Florence County<br />
ATV Trails<br />
Florence County<br />
SYM TERHUNE<br />
Nestled in the far northeastern corner<br />
<strong>of</strong> the state, Florence County is<br />
about as close to wilderness as<br />
you’ll find in <strong>Wisconsin</strong>. A quarter<br />
<strong>of</strong> the county’s 312,000 acres is held as<br />
part <strong>of</strong> the vast Chequamegon-Nicolet<br />
National Forest that rambles over 1.5 million<br />
acres <strong>of</strong> northern <strong>Wisconsin</strong>. Florence<br />
County forests total another 36,500 acres.<br />
In all, more than 140,000 acres <strong>of</strong> the<br />
county are public lands.<br />
Like most <strong>of</strong> the Great Lakes Basin,<br />
the county’s virgin pine forests were clearcut<br />
in the 1800s. In the 1930s, federal,<br />
state and county governments took over<br />
large tracts <strong>of</strong> abandoned land that were<br />
then replanted by the CCC. That reforestation<br />
effort is one <strong>of</strong> the greatest conservation<br />
stories in the history <strong>of</strong> the nation.<br />
As a result, timber and forest products<br />
are today the linchpin<br />
<strong>of</strong> the Florence County<br />
economy. More than<br />
eighty percent <strong>of</strong> the<br />
county is forested<br />
<strong>of</strong>fering recreational<br />
opportunities for<br />
outdoor lovers <strong>of</strong> all<br />
kinds: hikers, whitewater<br />
kayakers and<br />
canoeists, campers,<br />
hunters, birders,<br />
snowmobilers and<br />
ATVers. The county is<br />
home to two <strong>of</strong> three<br />
state-designed wild<br />
rivers – the Pine<br />
and the Popple.<br />
There are 265<br />
lakes and 165<br />
To Forest<br />
County Trails<br />
miles <strong>of</strong> rivers<br />
and streams to<br />
enjoy.<br />
For the ATVer,<br />
Florence County<br />
<strong>of</strong>fers plenty <strong>of</strong> fun<br />
on more than 150<br />
miles <strong>of</strong> trail. For<br />
starters, there’s a 17-<br />
acre ATV park on the<br />
70<br />
139<br />
139<br />
Long<br />
Lake<br />
Tipler<br />
Popple<br />
42 Visit travelwisconsin.com