Biking
Willow River State Park
Biking is allowed on the paved Little Falls Trail, designated single-track mountain bike trails, and the park roads. Trail use in winter will vary as some trails are designated as cross-country ski trails. Please observe trailhead signage and do not ride on closed trails.
Special events held on the bike trails require a permit. For more information, see: Holding special events on DNR lands.
TRAIL COLOR DESIGNATION:
Green - Easy beginner-level trail. Trail width 36 inches or more with 5% or less grade.
Blue - More difficult trail for intermediate riders. Trail width 24 inches or more with grades up to 10-15%. Some unavoidable obstacles.
Black - Very difficult trail for experienced riders. Trail width 12 inches or more with sections exceeding 15% grade. Tread surface is variable with unavoidable obstacles and jumps.
LITTLE FALLS TRAIL (GREEN, 0.7 MILES)
This paved trail runs from the Little Falls Dam to the campground. Enjoy lake scenery as the trail goes past the beach, picnic area and boat launch. This is a multi-use hiking trail that allows hiking, pets, bikes and rollerblades.
BLUEGILL TRAIL (GREEN, 0.6 MILES)
The Bluegill Trail is a beginner-level mountain bike trail starting at the Willow River Mountain Bike Trailhead near the beach and dam. This trail traverses a stunning overlook above the Willow River before crossing the Purple Trail and heading into some berms and fun beginner features. Two highlights of this trail are the 300-foot raised boardwalk (3-feet wide) that winds through interesting wetlands, and Willow’s first mountain bike bridge. The trail ends at a 3-way intersection. You can go straight on the Perch Trail for 0.8 miles back to the trailhead or turn right and cross the pedestrian bridge to connect with the Sunfish Trail and other trails north of the river.
PERCH TRAIL (GREEN, 0.9 MILES)
The Perch Trail returns you to the Willow River mountain biking trailhead. The trail has nice, flowing singletrack, friendly beginner features, rolling hills and berms. Highlights include three raised boardwalks over sensitive wetland areas. While riders need to use caution, these 3-foot-wide boardwalks introduce a fun feature for bikers of all abilities.
SUNFISH TRAIL (GREEN, 0.7 MILES)
The Sunfish Trail connects the Bluegill and Perch trails to the trails north of the Willow River. The outbound leg of Sunfish begins just north of the pedestrian bridge and traverses some mild rolling hills through a lovely open field. About halfway along this trail, you can turn left onto the more difficult Brook Trout (blue-level) Trail or, bear right, staying on the Sunfish Trail to continue across the pedestrian bridge, connect with the Perch trail, and back to the trailhead.
BROOK TROUT TRAIL (BLUE, 1.1 MILES)
The Brook Trout trail is where you begin your introduction to some of Willow River’s great hilly terrain—in the form of challenging climbs and exciting, fun descents. Brook Trout’s climbs will challenge even experienced mountain bikers. This trail is rated a blue-level, more difficult, trail because of the climbing challenges, but is otherwise a fun, very scenic, and flowy introduction to Willow’s varied terrain. Brook Trout connects to an exciting optional loop—the most difficult, Brown Trout Trail (black-level) before taking you back to the Sunfish Trail where you can return to the trailhead or ride additional loops.
BROWN TROUT TRAIL (BLACK, 0.4 MILES)
The Brown Trout Trail is Willow River’s first black-level, most difficult trail. The Brown Trout Trail features a lung-busting steep and loose switchback climb. The trail culminates with a rustic, old-school-style trail before reconnecting with the Brook Trout Trail.
RAINBOW TROUT TRAIL (GREEN, 0.2 MILES)
This green-level, two-way connector trail provides access to Brook Trout Trail from Trout Brook Rd. This flat, rustic trail goes by an old homestead location before traversing a small ravine at the bottom of the climb to Brook Trout Trail.
ROCK BASS TRAIL (GREEN, 0.3 MILES)
This rustic two-way trail connects the Trout trails with the Bass trails. This trail has a nice flow, but be alert to the two-way traffic, and the Silver Trail crossing in the middle.
SEA BASS TRAIL (BLUE, 0.3 MILES)
Do you like switchback climbs? Then this is the trail for you! This trail is currently the only way to access our exciting jump line trails - Smallmouth and Largemouth. Notice: Once you ride up the Sea Bass Trail, the only way down is via the black-level Largemouth and Smallmouth trails. Only ride up if you’re comfortable taking these most difficult trails downhill.
SMALLMOUTH BASS TRAIL (BLACK, 0.2 MILES)
This black-level trail is for expert riders. This trail starts steep and then drops into a flowy and jumpy candy-land of trail goodness. All jumps are rollable, but watch your speed, it can sneak up on you. Complete this area by taking Sea Bass Trail back to the top of the hill to try the Largemouth Bass Trail.
LARGEMOUTH BASS TRAIL (BLACK, 0.6 MILES)
Our longest expert jump line trail is also a nice technical rock drop towards the beginning. This flowy, downhill trail has big jumps and even bigger berms. Everything is rollable, but beginner and intermediate riders should watch their speed. Complete this area by taking Sea Bass Trail back to the top of the hill to try the Smallmouth Bass Trail.
VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES
Mountain bike trails at Willow River and Kinnickinnic state parks only exist through the efforts of dedicated volunteers. Volunteers build and maintain trails, construct features, assist with outreachand more. For more information, or to volunteer, please see the Willow Kinni Bike Club webpage [exit DNR].