Pine Line/Price-Taylor Rail Trail

Trail Activities: Hiking & Biking | ATVing & UTVing | Horseback Riding | Snowmobiling
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Location: Connects the city of Prentice in Price County to the city of Medford in Taylor County.
Length:
28 miles
Trail Type:
Point-to-Point
Skill Level:
Easy
Aerobic Level:
Easy to moderate
Season:
May to November
Trail Description:
This trail was created from an abandoned railroad right of way. The surface is covered in crushed gravel. There are no significant hills on this route.

ATV & UTV

  • Open to ATVs early-December thru March 31 – Price and Taylor Counties
  • Open to UTVs early-December thru March 31 – Price County ONLY
  • Closed to ATVs and UTVs when the temperature is above 28 degrees
  • Off-road motorcycles are not allowed
  • Easy to Moderate

The Pine Line Rail Trail is a 26-mile abandoned railroad grade open to ATVs and UTVs in the winter only when trails are declared officially open to snowmobiles and the temperature is below 28 degrees. When the temperature is below 28 degrees, ATVs and UTVs are also allowed on snowmobile trail 189 with access to Timm’s Hill, Wisconsin’s highest geographical point, and a few miles of town roads and county snowmobile trails in the Prentice area which allows access to lodging, gas and restaurants.

The Pine Line is a rail-trail in Taylor and Price Counties, Wisconsin. It is named for the huge quantities of eastern white pine shipped on the route between 1876 and 1988 by the Wisconsin Central Railroad and because of the beautiful stands of pine which presently clothe the trail.

The actual rail trail is 26.2 miles long, starting on Morner Road in Price County and ending on Allman Street in Medford. Plans are underway to extend the trail into downtown Prentice and Medford. A temporary trailhead can be accessed via town and county roads at Buccaneer Park in Prentice (April 1-November 30 only).

The southernmost 3 miles are surfaced with limestone screenings. The remainder of the trail is surfaced with crushed gravel. The northern portion of the trail runs through the terminal moraine left by the Wisconsin glacier 12,000 years ago. Hardwood forests cover the hummocks and hills. Numerous cedar swamps and bogs boast interesting wetland vegetation. The southern half of the trail is typified by picturesque Wisconsin dairy farms. Wildlife is abundant. Numerous active beaver dams can be seen adjacent to the trail.

The trail is owned by Price and Taylor Counties and managed by the Price-Taylor Rail Trail Commission.

There are no fees for trail use. The trail is supported by area snowmobile clubs and users. To support the trail, join the Price-Taylor Rail Trail Association, c/o Gerald Meyer, 530 South Gibson, Medford, WI 54451, 715-748-3357.

Facilities

Parking for the trail is available at the Allman Street trail head in Medford, on municipal streets in Ogema, Westboro, Chelsea, the Whittlesey parking lot, and at the Buccaneer Park trailhead in Prentice.

Food is available at Medford, Whittlesey, Westboro, Ogema and Prentice. Camping is featured at Pioneer Park & Campground in Ogema (horses are allowed), Medford City Park, Rib Lake Village Park, and the Mondeaux Flowage Campground (8 miles west of Westboro).

Grocery/Convenience Stores are found in Medford, Westboro, Ogema and Prentice.

Well Water is available during the summertime at Medford City Park, Chelsea Lake County Park (1/4 mile west of trail in Chelsea), Rib Lake Village Park, and Buccaneer Park in Prentice.

Flush toilets/sinks are available at Pioneer Park & Campground in Ogema located one block off the trail through the last weekend in September and Medford City Park through mid-October, weather permitting.

Vault toilets are available at Chelsea Lake County Park 1/4 mile west of the trail in Chelsea.

Camping is available at Pioneer Park & Campground in Ogema (one block off the trail). Horses are allowed at the campground and a hitching post is provided.

Trail Ethics

  • Wear suitable clothing. Be ready for changing weather conditions.
  • Make sure equipment is in proper working condition.
  • Know your physical limitations and stay on the marked trails. Use caution at road crossings.
  • Inform someone of your plans, your destination, and your expected time of return.
  • Carry out and properly dispose of refuse.
  • Do not start fires.
  • Respect adjacent property to the trail. Do not disturb plants and animals.
  • Ride defensively. Travel on right side of the trail and signal when overtaking.
  • Report trail damage, vandalism and accidents to law enforcement authorities.

 

Horseback Riding is allowed on the trail.

 

Snowmobiling is allowed in the winter after the trails are declared officially open.  

Trees Tree