North Country Trail in Wisconsin

06/14/2026

06/07/2026

Thirteen hikers plus four-legged regular Ellie enjoyed National Trails Day on the NCTIn Wisconsin. Pink ladyslippers were in bloom among the red pines, and a host of other wildflowers were identified in the mesic forest and sand prairie habitats. Chapter presidents Bethany from HTG, Mel from CHE, and Teresa from BSC gave welcomes and updates. The lunch was superb. Thanks to hikers, hike leaders, organizers, the NCTA and the AHS for making our 30th annual celebration a success!

06/03/2026

This coming Saturday, the three Wisconsin chapters of the North Country Trail Association will celebrate National Trails Day with activities at the Highland Town Hall, 9360 S. County Highway S near Lake Nebagamon. Choose a 5.5 mile round trip hike along the Brule headwaters to the Jersett Creek Campsite, beginning at 8:30 AM, or a 5 mile shuttled hike through the Mott's Ravine State Natural Area at 9 AM. A potluck picnic follows - bring a dish to share - then enjoy more of the fine outdoor amenities of the Brule River State Forest.

06/02/2026

Chequamegon Chapter Holds Second Fun Hike of the Season

By Joyce Cielecki

On Thursday May 28, 2026, seven people enjoyed a beautiful spring day hike on the North Country Trail from Snake Trail Road to Old Grade Road. The highlights of the hike included Sallygirl Overlook, the Swedish Settlement (and its newest resident, a barn swallow), the Marengo River and the Marengo River shelter, and the always-stunning Juniper Rock Overlook. The trail was in excellent condition, and many thanks go out to the Chequamegon Chapter Volunteers who maintain this section of the North Country National Scenic Trail (NCT)! Photos by Joyce Cielecki.

The next NCT fun event will be a National Trails Day Celebration on Saturday, June 6, at 8:30 a.m. This event includes all 3 Wisconsin NCT Chapters and will be held at Highland Town Hall, 9360 County Road S, Lake Nebagamon, with choice of morning hikes and noon potluck, to be held rain or shine. Hike #1 (meet at 8:30 am) will be from Highland Town Hall to Jersett Creek campsite and back (5.5 miles), and Hike #2 (meet at 9 am) will be from Ga***rd Nelson Portal to Highland Town Hall (5.0 miles).

For more information about future hikes/events see details at North Country Trail Association’s Calendar of Events at http://northcountrytrail.org/events/map or at the Chequamegon Chapters page at https://www.facebook.com/groups/4004210863146372/

05/30/2026

Welcome, Kate! We look forward to showing you our Wisconsin section of the NCT.

Please join us in welcoming Kate Hagner, the North Country Trail Association’s new Executive Director. Mid-June, she will begin leading the Association from her home in Vermont. She comes to the NCTA from nearly 20 years of service with the Student Conservation Association.

“I’ve lived in Minnesota, upstate New York, and now Vermont – places all connected to the geography of this trail,” said Kate. “Meaningful outdoor experiences do not need to happen only in iconic destinations. I love that the North Country Trail is close to where so many people already live and work. Because of the NCTA, [the trail] is a thread connecting people, place, and time. As Executive Director, I will work to strengthen that thread – to protect it, expand it, and invite more people to see themselves as part of it.”

05/28/2026

Multitasking Volunteers Achieve NCT Accomplishments

By Marty Swank

On Saturday and Sunday, May 23 and May 24, Volunteers of the Chequamegon Chapter of the North Country Trail Association put 2026 trail plans into action.

Creating two designated backpacker’s campsites along the North Country National Scenic Trail (NCT) was a major focus with a secondary focus of creating a safer and dryer NCT crossing of a wet area by building a single plank boardwalk to span the distance. All three gains were on North County National Scenic Trail in the Chequamegon - Nicolet National Forest.

A long sought after designated backpacker’s campsite was approved by the USFS on Lake Owen for this year and completed on May 23. A former old road had downed trees, brush, and other obstacles removed, three tent sites were cleared, four benches were assembled, a fire pit/grill was installed, and a trail register box was installed at the trail intersection.

A second designated backpackers’ campsite was partially constructed on NCT above Nelson Lake. Three tent sites and a fire ring were created, and a new Nelson Lake sign was installed. Chapter Volunteers still must clear a trail from Nelson Lake to the campsite and add other finishing touches.

A temporary fix to a wet area of NCT between Wisco Road and Old Grade Road had become hazardous at times and was replaced by a single plank puncheon by Chapter Volunteers.

Chequamegon Chapter Volunteers for the two-day effort were Mel Baughman, Kevin Schram, Mark James, Jim Fridsma, Jim Crandall, Mark Belknap, Clair Morud, and Ed Ronkowski.

Photos by Kevin Schram, Mark Belknap, Jim Crandall and Ed Ronkowski.

05/26/2026

https://www.wpr.org/news/200-acres-protected-lake-superior-longest-national-scenic-trail

Thanks to WPR for the great coverage!

The National Park Service recently purchased more than 200 acres for the country’s longest national scenic trail along the south shore of Lake Superior in northern Wisconsin.