Taylor County is home to wetlands, spring-fed streams, and forests alongside prominent ridges and trails of many different lengths and uses. The Taylor County Forest covers 17,500 acres in the northeastern part of the county. The Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest extends across one-third of Taylor County and continues into surrounding counties.

Forests, wetlands, and distinctive landscapes

The Pershing Wildlife Area covers about 8,800 acres in the northwest part of the county, including more than 1,000 acres of wetlands. Mondeaux Hardwoods is a 2,826-acre State Natural Area. Its landscape includes northern mesic, wet-mesic, and wet forest communities, as well as alder thicket, a northern sedge meadow, ephemeral ponds, springs, and spring-fed streams. Aquatic plant communities add to this diversity.

Smaller areas also have their own distinctive features: Diamond Lake includes wetlands with open bog, swamp, and lowland conifer swamp; a small county park is located on its west side. Lost Lake Esker is centered on a prominent esker that rises more than 80 feet above the surrounding ground moraine plain. Twin Lakes Bog sits in a depression between two kettle lakes and contains an undisturbed conifer swamp.

Other contrasts can be seen along the waterways. Brush Creek Hemlocks includes a wooded section of Brush Creek with rocky, cascading stretches alternating with sections on black ash sites. At the confluence of the Mondeaux River and Silver Creek, Silver Creek and Mondeaux River features an old-growth floodplain forest. Chequamegon Waters, also known as Miller Dam Lake, is a 2,714-acre impoundment in western Taylor County.

Choose trails by length and use

For hiking, the High-Point section of the Ice Age Trail offers more than 60 miles of trails through Taylor County. The Timm’s Hill Trail is a 10-mile non-motorized trail connected to the Ice Age Trail and Timm’s Hill. The Aldo Leopold Trail is shorter at 1.2 miles and features engraved information panels about Aldo Leopold’s life, ideas, and legacy. The trails therefore differ not only in length but also in whether the focus is on the landscape or on learning.

Forest Springs Trail offers more than 12 miles of gravel routes for mountain biking. The Pine Line Trail follows a 26.2-mile former railroad corridor between Taylor and Price Counties. It is open to cyclists and hikers from April through November. Access points in Taylor County are at the Allman Street parking area in Medford and on county roads in Ogema, Westboro, Chelsea, and Whittlesey. This route combines a clear seasonal schedule with several specified entry points.

The Taylor County Forest also includes ATV trails, snowmobile trails, cross-country ski trails, hunter walking trails, and two campgrounds. Equestrians can use the Taylor County Horse Camp and Trail, with more than 12 miles of riding trails through the county forests. Visitors comparing different ways to get around will find both shorter and longer trails, as well as designated options for different activities; the stated distances help indicate the length of each route.

Water and winter activities

Of Taylor County’s many lakes and impoundments, 21 have public boat landings. On the Upper Big Rib River near Rib Lake, there are Class I, II, and III sections, as well as opportunities for trout fishing. In total, about 60 miles of waterways in the county are suitable for fly fishing. These figures distinguish a specific stretch of river from the wider selection of waterways across the county.

Winter offerings include a range of activities: Perkinstown Winter Sports Area offers tubing, cross-country skiing, and snowshoeing. In the Rib Lake area, there are 18 miles of free, regularly groomed ski and snowshoe trails for classic skiing, skating, and snowshoeing. Those looking to compare cross-country skiing options will find both a specific trail distance and the more generally described trails in the Taylor County Forest.

The High-Point section of the Ice Age Trail includes the seasonal Mondeaux Dam Recreation Area, with picnic and shelter facilities, a swimming area with a sandy beach, boat rentals, and interpretive trails. Swimming, picnicking, and hiking are also available along the Mondeaux section of the Ice Age National Scenic Trail. The Recreation Area’s seasonal schedule is part of planning, along with choosing between the various activities.

A glimpse into the region’s history

The Taylor County Historical Museum features exhibits on dairying, agriculture, homemaking, the military, and regional wildlife. It also includes a print shop with numerous printing presses, a one-room country schoolhouse with school supplies from around the turn of the century, and a log cabin. The cabin contains artifacts that may date from the settlement period of Taylor County. The different exhibits offer varied perspectives on regional history—from agriculture and everyday life to education, the military, and printing.

For the broader travel overview: Wisconsin.