Anvil National Recreation Trail
Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest, Wisconsin Trail Guide

Trail Facts

Click or Tap for Local Forecast

Synopsis

Trail Review

LOCATION

East of Eagle River, inside the Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest.

TRAILS

Grooming: Classic & skate. Multiple loop trail system.
Snowshoe Trails: Yes (shared trails)

TRAIL NOTES

This beautiful and popular trail system features an excellent variety of terrain and scenery. Visitors will find a nice, long loop (East & West Trails) for novice skiers and skate skiers. Intermediate level, classic skiers will love the fun, hilly terrain on the Lake Loop and the Ninemile Trail. There is a nice, challenging run for advanced (classic) skiers appropriately named: "Devil's Run". The East and West Trails combine to form an 8 km loop that is groomed for classic and skate with a wide skating lane.

The system runs through a forest of mixed hardwoods and numerous stands of pines, firs, and tall hemlocks. Three parking areas provide multiple access points, and the trail connects with the Nicolet North Trail system for a total of 46.3 km of ski trails. You could easily make a weekend of skiing all the trails here!

Don't always expect immaculate grooming though. All of the trails are shared with snowshoers, winter hikers,... and their dogs. You'll find that the hikers and snowshoers almost never step on the classic tracks, but the dogs occasionally do. So the tracks are usually in great shape - as snow conditions allow - but you may occasionally be striding through paw tracks. However, don't let any of this scare you away from skiing the Anvil National Recreation Trail. This is one of the most-visited ski trails in northern Wisconsin for a reason - it's a well-layed-out system that features gorgeous northwoods scenery and a wonderfull variety of terrain.

"This is one of the oldest and most popular cross-country ski trails in the Eagle River area. Trails are groomed for traditional style-skiing as well as ski-skating. Several loops are available over varied terrain from easy to difficult. Originally constructed in the 1930's by the Civilian Conservation Corps, the system has since been expanded and was made part of the National Recreational Trail System in 1978. The Anvil Trail system is adjacent to Anvil Lake Campground and also connects with the Nicolet North Trail system and to the Franklin Lake Campground via a connector trail. Anvil is excellent for hiking and mountain biking in summer and fall. A trail map is available at the trailhead."
_USDA Forest Service

LAND OWNERSHIP

The entire trail system lies within the Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest, Eagle River Ranger District.

FEES

USDA Forest Service Parking Fee
Daily: $5
Annual: $20

FACILITIES

Parking, pit toilets, warming shelter on trail (firepit)
On-Site Equipment Rentals: No.

IN THE AREA

Retail sporting goods, equipment rentals, motels, resorts, food, & gas (Eagle River).

DIRECTIONS

From the Hwy's 70 & 45/32 intersection in Eagle River, go east on Hwy 70 for 8.5 miles. The main trailhead parking lot (Lot #1) is on the south (right) side of the road.

TRAIL INFORMATION

Website: Anvil National Recreation Trail
Phone: 715.479.2827 (Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest, Eagle River Ranger District HQ)