The Fox River State Recreational Trail stretches 20 miles from downtown Green Bay to the Brown/Calumet County line along a former rail corridor. The trail continues into Calumet County for additional miles. From the Trailhead, approximately 10.5 miles of the urban section of the trail is asphalt-paved to Lasee Road. From Lasee Road south to the county line the trail is surfaced with limestone screenings.
The Fox River Trail corridor has a rich history, beginning with the Native Americans who used footpaths to travel between their villages located along the river. The early French explorers, missionaries, and traders built their posts and missions along these trails. Later, a military road was built along portions of the corridor linking Green Bay to Milwaukee. In 1873, the Milwaukee and Northern Railway Company purchased the corridor and the first trains began making regular runs between the Green Bay and Milwaukee markets. In 1989, regular rail service was discontinued, signaling the end of one era, and the beginning of another with the development of the Fox River Trail.
In 2001, a collaborative effort between the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources and Brown County Parks was formed for the development of the Fox River State Trail.
Motorized Vehicles including ATV's and off-road motorcycles are not permitted.
For state trail information and rules, click here.
Hours
The Fox River State Trail is open from dawn-dusk.
Fees
$5.00 for a daily pass, $25.00 for an annual pass (valid until the end of the calendar year).
An annual state trail pass or daily pass is required for anyone 16 years of age and over to use the trail for: bicycling, in-line skating, skateboarding and horseback riding. Walking is free. Passes are available online, at trail kiosks along the way, from the park office, or from one of our many vendors in the community. All funds are deposited to a segregated account and are used solely for trail maintenance.
Activities
Walking, Bicycling, In-line Skating & Skateboarding: The trail consists of 10.5 miles of smooth asphalt surface and 9.5 miles of packed limestone surace which makes it an ideal location for all of these uses.
A "Health Trail" along a portion of the trail in Allouez provides trail users with an outdoor fitness challenge course. Also located in the Allouez section of the trail is St. Francis Park. With its picturesque gazebo, restroom building and park benches overlooking the Fox River, St. Francis Park provides a relaxing resting spot for trail users.
Horseback Riding: The southern portion of the trail, south of Highway 96 in the Village of Greenleaf allows horseback riding on the gravel surface.
Dog Friendly: We welcome the second half of your family on the trail, as long as they remain on a leash 5-foot or less and owners must carry a waste pick-up bag with them at all times.
Winter Activities: A portion of the paved trail, between Green Bay and Heritage Road in De Pere, are plowed. Users should use caution and be alert for slippery condtions. The limestone and paved portion which remain unplowed are open to cross-country skiing, winter biking, and snowshoeing, however, the trail is not groomed and users must share the trail with snowmobilers south of Greenleaf.
Snowmobiles are permited on the trail from Fair Road in Greenleaf, south to Man Cal Road. No snowmobiles or motorized vehicles are allowed on the asphalt trail segment. Please check with Brown County Parks before heading out to the snowmobile trails to make certain they are open.
Interactive Trail Map
Get Involved
The Friends of the Fox River Trail - Consider supporting the most used trail in the State of Wisconsin by joining Friends of the Fox River Trail. This state-sanctioned Friends of the Fox River Trail supports the mission and activities of this tremendously popular state recreational trail. The Friends group provides vital assistance to Brown County Parks Department by fund-raising for trail development projects and also through generously volunteering time to assist in trail clean-up/maintenance duties, invasive species removal and promoting trail safety through the trail ambassador program. The Friends are currently fundraising for repaving the trail.