Aldo Leopold Legacy Trail System
Chippewa River State Trail

Like to bike, walk or in-line skate surrounded by the wonders of nature? Visit Chippewa River State Trail. This former railroad corridor in the Western Coulee and Ridges Landscape parallels the river of the same name and passes through a wide variety of habitat including river bottoms, prairies, sandstone bluffs, wetlands, and more.

An Urban-Rural Trail System

A view of the Chippewa River from the trail just west of Interstate Highway 94.
DNR Photo by Bonnie Gruber

The 26-mile trail extends from a city trail beginning at Phoenix Park in downtown Eau Claire, at the confluence of the Eau Claire and Chippewa rivers.

The trail joins the Red Cedar State Trail in the Dunnville Wildlife Area near the confluence of the Red Cedar and Chippewa Rivers, and ends at the town of Durand

Chippewa River State Trail Map [PDF 173KB]

The trail is paved with asphalt from downtown Eau Claire to near Caryville (about 11 miles) to provide for in-line skating as well as biking. From there to its junction with the Red Cedar State Trail, the trail is surfaced with asphalt emulsion suitable for bicycling. The section of the Chippewa River trail in Pepin County (about 6.5 miles) between Durand and the Red Cedar junction is also paved with asphalt. Bridges are wood decked and railed.

In winter you may use the trail for walking, cross-country skiing (ungroomed), and (from Short Street to Durand) snowmobiling.

The trail is ideal for a bike and paddle trip. Sections of this former rail corridor parallel the Chippewa River. You can paddle downstream and then bike back to your starting point or vice versa. In season, vendors in Eau Claire offer a peddle and paddle option along the trail.

Fees

No trail passes are required for the Eau Claire city trail or the Pepin County / Durand section; on the rest of the trail, each bicyclist and in-line skater age 16 and older must have a state trail pass. There's a self-registration box and information kiosk at Short Street in Eau Claire, the dividing line between city and state trails.

How to Get There

There are access points at:

Phoenix Park in downtown Eau Claire
State Highway 85 west of State Highway 37.
Caryville, on State HIghway 85 west of the Eau Claire / Dunn county line .
Meridean, north of State Highway 85 on County Highway O.
Tarrant Park [exit DNR], along State Highway 85 at the northeast end of Durand, the Chippewa River Trail's southwest trailhead. This 16-acre park features parking adjacent to the trail, picnic areas, playgrounds, athletic fields, swimming pool, water, toilets, and the only campground on the Chippewa River State Trail.