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Hiking in Governor Knowles State Forest

Description | Ratings

Trails: Two linear trails along the St Croix River total 38 miles.
Access fee: State Park Pass
Nearest town: Grantsburg, WI
Trail map: Available at the park
Web site: WI State Forests
Points of interest: St Croix River
Other activities: Horseback riding (on separate trail), canoeing, xc skiing
Lodging: Grantsburg has a few choices of accommodations.
Camping: Group campground and backcountry camping with permit.
Weather forecast: Rice Lake
Tourism info: Grantsburg Chamber | Polk County Tourism
Getting to the trail: South Trail: the southern trailhead is west of Cushing on Evergreen Avenue. Northern trailhead is west of Grantsburg on Skog Road. North Trail: southern trailhead is about 6 miles north of Grantburg on County Road F. Northern trailhead is west of the junction of County Roads F and FF, then north on Bailey Road.
Map of local region: Grantsburg

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Number of ratings: 3
Average rating: 4.00  

3        

Trail Name: Governor Knowles State Forest
I have hiked there: A few times
I last hiked there in: Apr, 2005
Trails that I hiked: I have walked the entire trail sections. North and South.
Favorite trails: The South trail.
Best time to go: the fall is the BEST! The colors are amazing. Any season is good though....just get walking!
Trail marking: Very good
Trail maintenance: Very good
Rating: 4 stars
What I liked: I prefer the South trail to the North because of its awesome ridgeline walks amongst tall pines and oaks. It swoops you down into the bottoms to add some diversity provides plenty of water access. I think this trail is wonderful.
The North section is also very nice, but it is a bit more like walking on an ATV trail. Most of it is not a single-track, so it is nice for hiking conversation. I think the Northern WI sand makes a great silent walking surface.
Both of these trails are remote, and not heavily hiked. They are well taken care of, kept clear, and have great little boardwalks and bridges through the wet spots. I consider them some of the best hiking in Wisconsin.
What I disliked: A couple of good long hikes in Western WI....I'm not going to complain. I guess I wish they were a bit farther away from the Twin Cities....they could be popular some day.
Submitted by: Thomas Teppen
from: Osceola, WI
Date submitted: April 10, 2005

2          

Trail Name: Governor Knowles State Forest
I have hiked there: Several times
I last hiked there in: Apr, 2004
Trails that I hiked: Benson Brook, Lagoo Creek, Fox Landing
Favorite trails: Benson Brook
Best time to go: early spring - April
Trail marking: Fair
Trail maintenance: Very good
Rating: 4 stars
What I liked: great place to take teens on a backpack hike - moderate up and down, good distance, beautiful area
What I disliked: late spring and summer too too buggy
Additional comments: Go visit the Crex meadows intrepretive center
Submitted by: wt
from:
Date submitted: April 11, 2004

1        

Trail Name: Governor Knowles State Forest
I have hiked there: Few
I last hiked there in: Nov, 2003
Trails that I hiked: fun trails for horse back riding!!!
Favorite trails: the one along the bluff over looking the River
Best time to go: Fall
Trail marking: Fair
Trail maintenance: Very good
Rating: 4 stars
What I liked: nice wide trails
What I disliked: very buggy in the spring & summer
Comments:
Submitted by: Raven
from: Roberts WI, USA
Date submitted: Dec 27, 2003

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