The Mountain Bay State Trail is a gorgeous 83 mile trail which stretches across three different counties, namely the Marathon County, the Shawano County and the Brown County. This trail is one of the most frequented destinations in the region on account of the breathtaking scenery and the sense of tranquil that permeates the area.
Here, you can indulge in an array of outdoor activities. The trail surface is built of crushed limestone which makes it conducive to biking and hiking excursions. As you explore the unfettered forestland, you will be delighted at the array of flora and fauna you will find here. The trail winds through a largely flat terrain which also makes it ideal for the nervous hiking amateur. You can even indulge in a spot of snowmobiling if you happen to be in Green bay for the winter. The eastern edge of Marathon County houses the beautiful Norrie Lake which makes for a great swim.
You can even visit the Ringle Marsh which extends to about a quarter of a mile and venture into the swampy beauty of the wetlands. The trail is also dotted with numerous eateries to enable you to grab a quick bite along the way.
A majority of the trail is located in the Shawano County. One of the country's top dairy producing counties, you will find a quaint juxtaposition of agriculture and industry in this region. You can even linger on for a while at the magnificent Shawano Lake which encompasses over 6,000 acres of crystal clear water.
The Memorial Park in the city of Howard in Brown County houses the trail head of the Mountain Bay State Trail. Here, you will find an array of facilities which are offered to visitors to make their visit as comfortable and memorable as possible. The Park contains several picnic spots which feature picnic tables and electricity. If you plan on taking your picnic basket along, be sure to make it to the park in good time as the shelters are given out on a first come first serve basis.
The three counties apply different sets of rules which govern the trail. For instance, at Shawano, you do not need a pass for biking, hiking or walking your dog while Marathon County charges $4 for a daily pass and $15 for an annual trail pass. However, none of the counties permit motorized automotives on the trail to help preserve its sanctity.
For further information, you can call the Green Bay department at (920) 448-4466 or refer to the website http://www.mountain-baytrail.org .
The Mountain Bay State Trail
Brown County Park Department
305 E. Walnut Street
Green Bay, WI 54301
(920) 448-4466
