Biking Trails

Trails

Forest  County offers a few marked trails open to biking.  The Forestry and  Parks Department maintains the Otter Springs Recreation Area for bikes  and the US Forest Service maintains three (3), the Anvil, Ed’s Lake and  Nicolet North trails.

Otter Springs Trail (map)

Located  about 3 miles east of Crandon on highway 8, and then north on Otter  Creek Rd., is the trail head for the Otter Springs Recreation Area. 

The  trail is located on a large area of hardwood forest with rolling  terrain.  The trail is 12 miles in total length.  The beginners’ trail  is about .75 miles long located near the graveled parking area.  The  intermediate trails are hilly and more challenging.  The second trail is  1.25 miles in length, and the third trail is 3 miles in length with  hills and curves.  The trails are well marked and mowed when needed.  A   shelter is located between the two intermediate trails.  The WCC crew  that worked for the Forest County Forestry Department constructed the  shelter out of cedar logs form an adjacent cedar stand.  The  shelter  was constructed to provide a rest and picnic area for all recreationists  while making their way through the forest. 

NEW in 2016!!  The Forest County Area Singletrack Association (FCASA) has developed 2 miles of single-track biking and hiking trails which  intertwine with the other 10 miles of previously developed trail.  This  club has been very busy constructing the trail and is in the process of  developing more! the single-track trails are groomed for winter fat tire  biking and snowshoeing as well. Hiking and snowshoeing is beneficial to  the maitenance of the "track".

Anvil National Recreation Trail (map)

Several  loops are available over varied terrain from easy to difficult.  Originally constructed in the 1930's by the Civilian Conservation Corps,  the system has since been expanded and was made part of the National  Recreational Trail System in 1978. The Anvil Trail system is adjacent to  Anvil Lake Campground and also connects with the Nicolet North Trail  system and to the Franklin Lake Campground via a connector trail. Anvil  is excellent for hiking and mountain biking in summer and fall. It is  also a designated watchable wildlife area, especially for woodland  warblers. A trail map is available at the trailhead.

Ed’s Lake National Recreation Trail (map)

The  trail follows several early 1900's railroad grades through a variety of  forest types and terrain.  An Adirondack-style shelter overlooking Ed's  Lake is located along the Birch loop. A map and brochure are available  at the trailhead.

Nicolet North Trail (map)

The  Nicolet North Trail is connected to the Anvil National Recreation  Trail. In addition, part of the Hidden Lakes Trail follows some of this  trail. A map is available at the trailhead.

More trail information available from Nicolet National Forest.