The National Park Service has made a significant land acquisition along Lake Superior’s south shore, adding over 200 acres for the North Country National Scenic Trail. This landmark move promises to enhance the hiking experience in Wisconsin, connecting nature lovers with the stunning landscapes of the region.
Stretching across 4,800 miles from North Dakota to Vermont, the North Country National Scenic Trail is the longest of its kind in the United States. However, about 1,500 miles of this trail are yet to be developed.
This spring, the National Park Service acquired 213 acres in Iron County from the Trust for Public Land, a national nonprofit. Chris Loudenslager, the trail’s superintendent, noted that the Trust for Public Land purchased the land for approximately $2.5 million last September from a private owner.
“When this property became available, that presented the opportunity to get the trail off the road and into a beautiful property that really provides for the type of experience the North Country National Scenic Trail is intended to provide,” Loudenslager explained.
The funds for this acquisition came from the Land and Water Conservation Fund, with additional financial support from the National Park Foundation and Wyss Foundation.
Loudenslager highlighted the potential to redirect about three miles of the trail off-road, enhancing the hiker experience. The land will connect Saxon Harbor County Park to the Montreal River, which acts as a border between Wisconsin and Michigan’s Upper Peninsula. Efforts to secure this property have been ongoing for nearly two decades, according to Will Cooksey, senior project manager at the Trust for Public Land.
“The property is outstandingly beautiful. It includes 1,300 feet of shoreline along Lake Superior, so it has commanding views of Lake Superior. Additionally, it has roughly 2,100 feet of shoreline along the Montreal River, including the mouth of the river with the lake,” Cooksey stated. “This is a portion of the river that includes Superior Falls as it cascades down about 90 feet into a beautiful pool.”
Eric Peterson, Iron County’s forest administrator, mentioned that the county had considered purchasing the property in 2017. With thousands of visitors to Iron County during Memorial Day weekend, many of whom pass through Saxon Harbor campground, Peterson anticipates the new addition could further boost visitor numbers.
“With the North Country trail going through that property now and accessing Superior Falls and the Montreal River, that’s just another access point for people to go and see those things when they’re at our facility,” Peterson noted.
The area has historical significance as the Flambeau Trail, a trade route for Native Americans, and as a site for John Jacob Astor’s fur trading post between 1808 and 1830, according to the Trust for Public Land.
Governor Tony Evers remarked on the acquisition’s importance, stating that it enhances conservation efforts and contributes to Wisconsin’s thriving outdoor recreation economy. In 2024, outdoor activities generated a $12 billion economic impact, supporting over 100,000 jobs statewide.
The National Park Service plans to collaborate with partners, including the North Country Trail Association, to chart a trail route through the new property while preserving its cultural and natural resources. Trail construction might commence next year.
“I think it’s a fantastic achievement for the North Country National Scenic Trail,” Loudenslager affirmed. “It moves the needle toward completing the trail where we have the opportunity to get temporary road walks replaced by actual trail that not only benefits the hikers, but also benefits the local communities.”
Currently, 210 miles of the trail run through Wisconsin, with about 145 miles ready for hiking.
