Red Cedar State Trail

The Red Cedar State Trailhead is located in Menomonie at an old railroad depot in Riverside Park. The trail meanders south along the Red Cedar River for 14.5 miles through serpentine valleys, rolling hills, bluffs, woodlands and prairies all the way to the junction with the Chippewa River. You can hike or bike this trail. The woodlands will hold Blue Jays, the prairies have Eastern Kingbirds and Field Sparrows, and the backwater areas are great places to find all kinds of ducks, Green Herons and Sora Rails. Watch for mink, red fox and muskrats along the water’s edge. About halfway, the historic town of Downsville is the home of the Empire in Pine Lumberjack Museum. Just three miles south of Downsville is the Caddie Woodlawn Historical Park located on Hwy. 25. Near the confluence of the two rivers, the trail will traverse the Dunnville Bottoms State Wildlife Area, the heart of the Chippewa River Valley.

Directions: At Menomonie, exit I-94 at Hwy. 12 south (Broadway) and go 2 miles to Hwy. 29, turn west to Riverside Park.

Gazetteer: Page 60, B-1.

Phone: 715/232-1242.

Web site: Red Cedar State Trail

Signature Species: Eastern Bluebirds, Bald Eagle and Bobolinks.

Seasonality: Open all year.

Parking: Parking lots provided.

Nearest food & lodging: Menomonie.

Fee: Trail fees apply.