Water and forest give Marinette County a distinctive thread of discovery. Governor Earl Peshtigo River State Forest encompasses 25 miles of river, 3,200 acres of water, and 9,200 acres of forest. River, waterways, and forest shape Governor Earl Peshtigo River State Forest. Those planning outdoor experiences can choose from different highlights rather than focusing their stay on just one type of landscape.
Hiking and Time on the Water
Governor Thompson State Park has more than 16 miles of hiking trails. The Woods Lake area also has a 150-foot-long sandy beach for swimming. This makes hiking and spending time by the water two different options for a visit. Spring Rapids Trail in Governor Earl Peshtigo River State Forest offers another clearly defined focus: its 5-mile trail system is intended for hiking and cross-country skiing.
Waterfalls are another defining feature of the outdoor experience. Marinette County’s waterfall program includes 15 waterfalls, and the self-guided waterfall tour offers short and long hikes. About half of the waterfalls on the tour are in the county park system. This approximate distribution helps visitors navigate between the tour and the waterfalls in the county parks, without suggesting that all the stops are in the same area.
Named stops include Veteran’s Falls in Veteran’s Memorial Park on the Thunder River. Both Twelve Foot Falls and Eight Foot Falls are in Twelve Foot Falls Park. Their names make clear that visitors can explore multiple falls in one park, while Veteran’s Falls is associated with its own park and the Thunder River.
Trails for Biking, Winter, and Fishing
Mountain biking is the focus of Strong Falls Trails: the network includes 20 miles of challenging singletrack optimized for the sport. The trails can also be used for hiking and cycling. The route connecting Goodman Park and McClintock Park offers a different kind of trail experience: more than 7 miles of hiking trails run between the two parks. Parking and restrooms are available at the trailheads in both parks. This means a singletrack system designed for mountain biking and a longer connection between two parks are available as distinct options.
Winter brings another impressive number: Marinette County has more than 750 miles of snowmobile trails. For anglers interested in muskie, Caldron Falls is another specific point of interest. It is the only Class A muskie water in Marinette County.
History and Local Discoveries
The Marinette County Museum brings together several historical themes. One exhibit focuses on Queen Marinette’s 19th-century trading post on the Menominee River. On Stephenson Island, the museum also presents the history of logging in the county. These two perspectives span the story of a riverside trading post and one of the defining industries in the county’s history.
Practical visitor information is also clear: the Marinette County Museum is wheelchair accessible and offers free parking for cars, buses, and RVs.
Another discovery is Forgotten Fire Winery. Its current offerings include more than 25 wines, as well as hard cider and craft root beer; the selection may change.
Explore more destinations: Crivitz, Marinette, Pembine, Columbia, Dodge County, Sauk County, Green County, Price County.
For the broader travel overview: Wisconsin.
