Round Lake Loop I
- 5.1 mi
- round trip
- 332 ft
- climb
- 1,578 ft
- high point
- Out and back
- route
- May–Sep
- best months
Is Round Lake Loop I open right now?
Closure in the area
There's a closure order in Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest. It doesn't name Round Lake Loop I, so check the source for the area it covers (2 listed).
Trail work and picnic area improvements at Morgan Falls/St. Peter's Dome Recreation Area this fall
Agency closure covering Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest · USFS · Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest
Forest Order 09-13-25-02 General Occupancy and Use Restrictions
Agency closure covering Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest · Order 09-13-25-02 · USFS · Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest
As of · Source: USFS · Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest. Agencies don't list every closure — check before you go.
Round Lake Loop I is a 5.06-mile moderate hike in the Medford-Park Falls Ranger District of the Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest in northern Wisconsin, managed by the Forest Service. The trail is an out-and-back with a total elevation gain of 21 feet, so it's a low-key route rather than a climb. The steepest stretch comes at about 2.2 miles in, with a grade of 8 percent. The trail is on natural surface, and both bikes and horses are allowed. That makes it a flexible option for riders and pack animals as well as hikers. Summer is the most comfortable time to go. Typical averages from the nearby Rest Lake weather station show July highs around 78°F with lows near 54°F, while winter brings highs in the 20s and regular snow days from December through February. Twin Lakes campground sits just 0.1 mile away, and Round Lake Loop 173 and Round Lake Loop A are both within a third of a mile. Emily Lake campground is about 3 miles off.
Best time to go · May–Sep
Best time to visit Round Lake Loop I
Best months: May–September. 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
20° / 0°
10 wet · 8 snow
Feb
25° / 3°
8 wet · 6 snow
Mar
37° / 13°
8 wet · 5 snow
Apr
50° / 27°
9 wet · 2 snow
May
65° / 41°
11 wet
Jun
74° / 51°
11 wet
Jul
78° / 54°
11 wet
Aug
76° / 53°
10 wet
Sep
67° / 45°
11 wet
Oct
53° / 33°
12 wet · 1 snow
Nov
37° / 21°
10 wet · 5 snow
Dec
25° / 9°
10 wet · 8 snow
Typical high / low (°F) and days with rain or snow, 1991–2020. Measured at Rest Lake, WI, 15 mi away at 1,612 ft. Source: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020.
Keep exploring — more trails worth the drive
Photo: usfs_Eastern_Region, Public domain (via Wikimedia Commons)Tucker Lake Portage
~2 min drive
0.70-mile out-and-back portage trail in Wisconsin with 75 ft of elevation gain.
HIKE
Round Lake Loop F
~1 min drive
Round Lake Loop F is a 3.59-mile out-and-back trail in Wisconsin with 192 feet of elevation gain.
HIKE
River Saddle
~9 min drive
Remote 36.3-mile out-and-back river valley trail in Wisconsin.
Photo: usfs_Eastern_Region, Public domain (via Wikimedia Commons)Round Lake Loop C
~2 min drive
0.65-mile out-and-back trail at Round Lake Loop C in Wisconsin
HIKE
Round Lake Loop D
~1 min drive
4.15-mile out-and-back trail at Round Lake Loop D in Wisconsin
HIKE
Round Lake Loop 173
Next door
Round Lake Loop 173 is a 0.45-mile out-and-back trail in Wisconsin with 17 feet of elevation gain.
HIKE
Riley Creek Hwt
~10 min drive
3.97-mile out-and-back trail in Wisconsin with 228 ft elevation gain.
HIKE
Round Lake Loop A
Next door
2.55-mile out-and-back trail at Round Lake Loop A in Wisconsin.
HIKE
Schmuland Hwt
~20 min drive
3.66-mile out-and-back trail in Wisconsin with 176 ft elevation gain.
HIKE
Round Lake Loop B
~1 min drive
1.95-mile out-and-back trail in Wisconsin with 168 ft gain.
