Rail trail · Wisconsin
Ahnapee State Trail
A 48-mile crushed-limestone rail-trail winding through Door and Kewaunee counties from Sturgeon Bay south along the Ahnapee and Kewaunee rivers to the lakeside city of Kewaunee, passing farms, prairies, and river corridors.
Length
48 miles
Surface
Crushed stone
Route
Point to point
Endpoints
Sturgeon Bay to Kewaunee (with a branch to Luxemburg)
Season
Open year-round; best May through October for biking and walking; snowmobiles permitted in winter; trail is not groomed for skiing but skiing and snowshoeing are allowed
Plan your ride or walk
The Ahnapee State Trail follows a former railroad bed for 48 miles from downtown Sturgeon Bay in Door County south through evergreen glades, farmland, prairies, and wooded river corridors to Algoma, Casco, Luxemburg, and Kewaunee on Lake Michigan. Near Sunset Road in Kewaunee County the trail forks in three directions, offering flexible routing. The level crushed-limestone grade is wide-tire bike country: mountain bikes and hybrids are recommended because equestrian use can create surface marks. No state trail pass is required. The Ice Age National Scenic Trail shares sections of the corridor for about 27 combined miles. Snowmobiles use the trail in winter, so skiers share the surface with motorized traffic.
Getting there
The Sturgeon Bay trailhead is south of the city on Neenah Avenue. Additional parking is at Forestville Dam County Park, several points near Algoma (County Highway M and Navarino Street), and Harold Reckelberg Park on Sunset Road at the Casco Junction fork. Kewaunee has two trailheads, one near Beardsley Street and one near Highway 42. Contact Door County Parks (920-746-9959) or Kewaunee County Recreation (920-388-0444) for details.
Official trail information
Confirm current conditions, closures, and any required trail pass on the managing agency’s page.
Wisconsin DNR: Ahnapee State TrailWhat to bring
Gear keyed to a long, flat trail day: footwear, hydration, sun protection, and a pack sized for the distance.
What to pack
Plan with our tools
Frequently asked questions
How long is the Ahnapee State Trail?
The main corridor is 48 miles, running from Sturgeon Bay to Kewaunee with a branch to Luxemburg. You can ride any segment between the many trailheads.
Is a trail pass required?
No. The Ahnapee State Trail does not require a Wisconsin State Trail Pass for any users.
What is the surface?
Crushed limestone. Wider-tire bikes are recommended because equestrian use can leave hoof marks in the surface.
Are snowmobiles allowed?
Yes. Snowmobiles are permitted on the Ahnapee State Trail in winter and the trail connects to county snowmobile networks. Skiers and snowshoers share the corridor with motorized traffic; the trail is not groomed.
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