Brule River State Forest
Photo: Aarongunnar, CC BY-SA 3.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)- 20.6 mi
- round trip
- 1,747 ft
- climb
- 1,235 ft
- high point
- Out and back
- route
- May–Oct
- best months
Brule River State Forest in northern Wisconsin offers an out-and-back hike of about 41 miles through the forest, with a steady climb of 1,747 feet over the round trip. The route begins at about 1,045 feet and reaches a high point of 1,235 feet, and it is a hard hike, so plan on about 14.5 hours on foot. Summer is the most comfortable time to go. Typical averages from the nearby Solon Springs weather station show July highs around 81°F with lows near 58°F, while January highs average only 21°F. Bikes are allowed on this trail. The land is managed by the State Department of Natural Resources. The Bois Brule River, a river fishing spot, is about 2 miles away, and the Solon Springs North and Solon Springs hikes are each within 3 miles. Lucius Woods County Park is just over 3 miles off.
Best time to go · May–Oct
Best time to visit Brule River State Forest
Best months: May–October. Best months have typical highs of 55–85 °F, lows of 30 °F or warmer (32 °F where the station doesn't record snow), at most one snowy day and no more than 12 wet days.
Jan
21° / 3°
Feb
27° / 6°
Mar
39° / 18°
Apr
53° / 30°
May
67° / 43°
Jun
77° / 52°
Jul
81° / 58°
Aug
80° / 56°
Sep
70° / 47°
Oct
56° / 36°
Nov
39° / 24°
Dec
26° / 11°
Typical high / low (°F) and days with rain or snow, 1991–2020. Measured at Solon Springs, WI, 3.4 mi away at 1,130 ft. This station doesn't record snowfall. Source: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020.
Keep exploring — more trails worth the drive
Photo: Aarongunnar, CC BY-SA 3.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)Brule River Gated Road
~6 min drive
1.85-mile out-and-back trail on Brule River Gated Road in Wisconsin
HIKE
Bsc
~15 min drive
5.51-mile out-and-back Wisconsin trail through woodland terrain.
HIKE
North Country National Scenic
~30 min drive
14.93-mile out-and-back trail in Wisconsin with 774 ft gain
Photo: Sharon Mollerus, CC BY 2.0 (via Flickr)Waabizheshikana: the Marten Trail
~53 min drive
2.38-mile out-and-back hike in Minnesota with 375 ft gain and 426 ft loss.
HIKE
Douglas County Forest
~20 min drive
5.12-mile out-and-back trail in Douglas County Forest, Wisconsin with 252 ft elevation gain.
HIKE
North Country National Scenic
~51 min drive
27.42-mile point-to-point trail in Wisconsin with 1,698 ft elevation gain.
Photo: Minnesota Denizen, CC BY 2.0 (via Flickr)Hawk Ridge Trails
~59 min drive
Point-to-point ridge trail with scenic vistas and wildlife viewing opportunities.
HIKE
Bayfield County Forest
~30 min drive
A 6.11-mile out-and-back forest trail through Bayfield County's woodlands.
HIKE
Diamond Lake Hwt
~53 min drive
Moderate 8.5-mile out-and-back Wisconsin trail with scenic natural features.
HIKE
Solon Springs North
~5 min drive
0.91-mile out-and-back trail in Wisconsin with 168 ft of elevation gain.
