Chippewa County: Lakes, Trails and Unique Discoveries

Chippewa County combines expansive natural areas with unusual cultural destinations and a wide variety of trails. In the county’s northern third, the Chippewa County Forest covers approximately 34,500 acres. Glaciation created a highly varied landscape with lakes, streams, ponds and wetlands. Those planning a trip with active days, water-based experiences and regional history will find a range of options for shaping their own vacation.

Glacial Landscapes and Trails for Different Types of Trips

The Chippewa County section of the Ice Age Trail is 14 miles long and runs from Brunet Island State Park to Plummer Lake. Glacial ridges, fast-flowing streams, three beaver dams and several undeveloped lakes characterize the route. During the winter months, most of this section is suitable for ski touring or snowshoeing. Brunet Island State Park adds more than eight miles of hiking trails to the network, including nearly two miles of the Ice Age National Scenic Trail.

For shorter nature experiences, the 0.8-mile Jean Brunet Nature Trail is a good option. The self-guided walking trail features interpretive signs about local history and nature. Access to Jean Brunet Woods is via the Nordic Trail and the Jean Brunet Trail. Those who want to include longer distances and several types of activities in their trip can also consider the Old Abe State Trail. The 19.5-mile multi-use trail follows a former railroad corridor and connects Chippewa Falls with Cornell.

The Chippewa County Forest itself also offers a variety of options: The county manages recreational routes for hiking, horseback riding, snowmobiling, ATV riding and cross-country skiing, as well as the Old Abe Trail. The Chippewa County ATV Trail runs for more than 23 miles through the forest. Small lakes and beaver dams lie along the route, which also offers scenic views and opportunities for wildlife observation. For horseback riders, the Hay Meadow Horse Trail leads through northern hardwood forests and a hilly glacial moraine landscape with lakes, ponds and wooded streams.

Lakes, Parks and Unique Natural Areas

Chippewa County offers year-round recreational opportunities on its lakes and waterways. These include 449 lakes, among them the 6,300-acre man-made Lake Wissota. Lake Wissota State Park combines forest, prairie, trails and a swimming beach. A boat launch and rentals of canoes, kayaks and stand-up paddleboards provide different perspectives on the water. In addition, 20 miles of unpaved trails and two self-guided, landscape-focused interpretive trails are available.

The county’s three campgrounds and four day-use parks are located on Long Lake, Otter Lake, the Holcombe Flowage and Round Lake. The parks offer opportunities for boating, fishing, swimming, hiking and picnicking. For quieter observation of special habitats, consider the 2,282-acre Tom Lawin Wildlife Area, with grasslands, wetlands and forested habitats, as well as the Lowell Ohmart Wetlands. This extensive wetland complex lies between Long Lake and Chain Lake; Cedar Creek serves there as a spawning area for musky and northern pike. The best access to the Ohmart Wetlands is by boat via Chain Lake from a boat launch on Clear Lake.

Other landscape types can be found in the Chippewa Moraine State Recreation Area, with kettle lakes and glacial features, as well as at Chippewa Moraine Lakes, a dense cluster of nine lakes in the moraine region. Deer Fly Swamp is a rare swamp of Weymouth pines and red maples. These diverse natural environments make choosing a vacation focus especially interesting: You can select your vacation rental or vacation home based on whether long trails, water activities, nature observation or cultural destinations are most important to you.

History, Architecture and Regional Culture

The Chippewa Area History Center preserves the history of Chippewa County and makes it accessible to the public. The Cook-Rutledge Mansion is a restored and furnished 1887 residence belonging to a lumber baron and is also an example of high Victorian Italianate architecture. In Cornell, Cornell Mill Yard Park combines riverside recreation, local history and access to the Old Abe State Trail. The park is also home to Cornell’s stationary log stacker, which the Wisconsin Historical Society recognizes as the only remaining stationary log stacker in the world.

The history of brewing is also part of the area’s travel appeal. Leinenkugel's offers tours of the original brewery in Chippewa Falls, founded in 1867. The Leinie Lodge Taproom serves seasonal Leinenkugel's beers as well as small-batch beers from the Pilot Brewery. Hoofbeat has taken place in Cadott since 1987. The three-day country music and camping event has more than 7,500 campsites, representing another distinctly event-oriented side of the county.

Accommodation and Orientation for Your Trip

When searching for suitable accommodation, it is worth first determining the pace of travel you want. Those who want to combine water activities, boating and park trails should include the offerings around the lakes in their plans. For hiking and nature observation, the County Forest, the Ice Age Trail and the various protected areas are the main attractions. Travelers interested in culture can consider destinations such as the History Center, the Cook-Rutledge Mansion or the brewery in Chippewa Falls. Access is possible via Chippewa Valley Regional Airport on the southern edge of the county, with scheduled passenger and cargo service, as well as via USH 53 and State Highways 27, 40, 124, 178, 29 and 64.

More Places to Explore

As nearby destinations in your regional search, you can visit Lake Hallie, Chippewa Falls, Stanley, Cadott, Boyd and Bloomer. Find additional county pages under Grant County and Marinette County.

For the higher-level travel overview: Wisconsin.