The Flambeau Tour
The Flambeau Auto Tour is your gateway to scenic roads and key attractions in the Chequamegon National Forest, including 13-mile loop designated as one of Wisconsin's newest Rustic Roads in October 2007 (Rustic Road 105). Milwaukee Journal Sentinel travel writer Dennis McCann traveled the route and described the Rustic Road as covering all things beautiful. To view the article click here. .
Following this tour route, you will travel on paved state highways and well-maintained gravel forest roads. Beginning in Park Falls, you can see and experience some of the best recreation areas and historic sites that this area has to offer!
The Flambeau Auto Tour provides a scenic trip during any season. Whether you seek autumn's brilliant hues, winter's frosty white scenery, or spring's new growth, this tour will take you on a ride to please your eyes and soothe your senses.
A. Getting Started
Make your first stop the Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest Park Falls Ranger District Office. The lobby of the office offers many brochures detailing a diverse array of recreational areas and activities throughout the Forest. Take a moment to listen and learn about one of the more elusive residents of our Forest...the timber wolf.
Continuing north on State Highway 13 for one and one-half miles turn east (right) on State Highway 182. Follow State Highway 182 for 7 miles until reaching Forest Road 153. Turn north (left) for one mile to Blockhouse Lake.
B. Blockhouse Lake
Keep a close watch out for the resident eagle population. Wild rice can be seen along the shoreline. Travel back on Forest Road 153 and turn east (left) on State Highway 182.
Travel one-half mile to the Blockhouse Lake Wildlife Management Area. A sign on the left side of the highway describes an area managed for wildlife that thrive on young forests. Continue east on State Highway 182 for six miles to enter the Newman Springs Trail.
C. Newman Springs Trail
Stretch your legs and enjoy a short walk on top of a scenic esker. This geologic feature, several stories high, was left behind by the last ice age. From this snake-like ridge you can view the surrounding springs and wetland areas, known for their abundant wildlife. This trail provides 6-miles of additional walking.
Continue east for one mile on State Highway 182 to Forest Road 144. Turn south (right) and travel one mile to Forest Road 1903. Turn east (left) to enter Newman Lake.
D. Newman Lake
The cool, tingling waters of this spring-fed lake make this a popular recreation area. A picnic shelter, play area, shoreline trail, boat launch, and swimming beach provide a wealth of family activities.
Retrace Forest Road 1903 for one mile turning south (left) onto Forest Road 144, part of Rustic Road 105. You will travel four miles on FR144, bypassing Forest Road 148 (leading to Smith Rapids Covered Bridge, to be seen later in the tour). Continue east on FR144 taking note of the "T" intersection with FR142, keep right. One more mile brings you to the scenic South Fork of the Flambeau River.
E. Flambeau River
The South Fork of the Flambeau River winds 24 miles through the Park Falls Ranger District. If you would like to stop and enjoy a scenic view of the river there is a small parking area on the north (right) side before the bridge. Known as Fishtrap Rapids, this area has been used by people for thousands of years.
Leaving the parking area, turn right (south) on Forest Road 144, part of Rustic Roads 105, for two miles. Turn north (left) on Forest Road 535 to enter the Round Lake parking area.
F. Round Lake Logging Dam
To appreciate the human history of this area take a short walk over the bridge and through the towering pines. Following the short path you will find a restored 1870's log driving dam thought to be the last of it's kind in existence. Expansive Round Lake is the headwaters of the South Fork of the Flambeau River.
Whether you want a short walk or a day hike, the Round Lake Non-Motorized Trails awaits your discovery. Ten miles of adjoining trail loops are designed for easy to intermediate experience levels. A recreation guide with a map can be picked up at the information station near the parking area.
Return to the parking area and exit on Forest Road 535. Turn south (left) on Forest Road 144, part of Rustic Roads 105, for two miles to State Highway 70. Turn east (left) and travel for two miles to Forest Road 143. Turn north (left) and enter the small parking area at Memorial Grove.
G. Memorial Grove
This unmarked old-growth hemlock forest is a Research Natural Area. A memorial to World War II Veterans located here gives the area its name. Notice the coolness of the forest. This special place is home to birds and other animals that depend upon the thick tree canopy for food and shelter.
Walk back to the parking area and return to State Highway 70. Turn west (right) and continue for 41/2 miles to the Riley Creek CCC Camp. Park at the entrance of Forest Road 145.
H. Riley Creek CCC Camp
As part of President Franklin D. Roosevelt's New Deal Programs, over 200 men lived at this camp during the Great Depression Era. Young unemployed men were recruited in a peace time army to work in America's forests and parks.
Twenty-eight camps operated in the Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest between 1933 and 1942. The army ran the camps. During the day the men would work for the Forest Service. They planted trees, fought fires, built campgrounds and improved recreational facilities throughout the National Forest. The sign on State Highway 70 near Forest Road 145 commemorates this camp.
Travel west on State Highway 70 for 1 1/2 miles to Forest Road 148, part of Rustic Roads 105. Turn north (right) and continue for 2 miles. Turn west (left) into the entrance of the Smith Rapids Campground.
I. Smith Rapids
This is a perfect place for a picnic and a short walk across the Smith Rapids Covered Bridge. This bridge is one of several covered bridges in Wisconsin. A 100 year-old design is combined with modern glue laminate materials to form a Town Lattice bridge.
Take a short walk down the Smith Rapids Saddle Trail or relax and enjoy the view from the picnic area, or drive through this specialized campground.
Continue north on Forest Road 148, part of Rustic Roads 105, for 2 miles to Forest Road 144. Turn west (left) and travel for 2 miles to State Highway 182. Turn west (left) and travel 12 miles to Fifield.
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