Washburn Lake Trails
Oneida County Forestry and Parks, Wisconsin Trail Guide

Trail Facts

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Synopsis

Trail Review

LOCATION

West of Rhinelander.

TRAILS

Grooming: Classic & skate. Multiple loop trail system.
Snowshoe Trails: Yes, 5.8 km. Washburn Lake has an excellent snowshoe trail system separate from the cross-country ski trails, certainly one of the best in this part of the state!

TRAIL NOTES

Washburn Lake Silent Sports Trails are a wonderful trail system for both cross-country skiing and snowshoeing. There are 19k of ski trails and 5.8k of snowshoe trails. For skiing, grooming is normally excellent and timely. Some trails are groomed only for classic, others for skate, and several are groomed for both.

The trails wind through an upland-hardwood forest with frequent stands of birch, aspen, maple and occasional pines. The terrain is rolling hills and the ski trails are suitable for intermediate and advanced-level skiers. Visitors will find a very nice, modern warming building at the Perch Lake Park trailhead with heated floors and a small curtained-off area for changing.

RASTA has - and continues to - put a lot of effort into developing and maintaining this trail system for summer and winter recreation use. And if you bump into a volunteer/staff member during your visit, you will find them to be warm and friendly. Some places just exude a great atmosphere and Washburn Lake does it very well!

LAND OWNERSHIP

The trail is part of the Oneida County Forestry and Parks Department.

PARTNERSHIP / TRAIL MANAGEMENT

Rhinelander Area Silent Trails Association.

FEES

Oneida County Trail Pass
Daily: $5
Annual: $20

FACILITIES

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

IN THE AREA

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

DIRECTIONS

Both directions below are for the main trailhead

From the Hwy's 8 & 47 intersection in Rhinelander, go north on hwy 47 for 1.2 miles and turn left (west) onto County K. Then go 7.0 miles and turn left (south) onto Washburn Lake Rd. Go 1.0 mile and turn left (east) onto Trout Creek Rd. Go 0.4 mile to the Perch Lake Park entrance.

From the Hwy's 51 & County K intersection north of Tomahawk, go east on County K for 5.6 miles and turn right (south) onto Washburn Lake Rd. Go 1.0 mile and turn left (east) onto Trout Creek Rd. Go 0.4 mile to the Perch Lake Park entrance.

TRAIL INFORMATION

Website: Washburn Lake Silent Sports Trails
Phone: 715.369.6140 (Oneida County Forestry Dept.)