Nature Trail Loop
- 0.7 mi
- round trip
- 108 ft
- climb
- 1,627 ft
- high point
- Out and back
- route
- May–Sep
- best months
The Nature Trail Loop is a short, out-and-back cross-country ski route of about 1.4 miles in American Legion State Forest in Wisconsin. The State Department of Natural Resources manages the land, and the trail rises from about 1,600 feet to about 1,627 feet, with a total climb of 108 feet, before returning to the start. It is a low-elevation, low-effort loop, and the route is short enough to fit easily into a day on the snow. Winter is the natural season for this trail. Typical averages from the Minocqua weather station, about 4 miles away, show January highs around 20°F with lows near 1°F and about 10 snow days, while March eases to highs near 37°F with only a few snow days left. Summer is warm and snow-free, with July highs around 77°F. Dogs are not allowed on the trail. The closest nearby options are the Clear Lake Paved Bike Path, about 0.3 miles away, and the Red Loop and Blue Loop, both within 2 miles. For an overnight stay, Cunard Lake Campground is about 3.7 miles away.
Best time to go · May–Sep
Best time to visit Nature Trail Loop
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° / 1°
11 wet · 10 snow
Feb
25° / 3°
8 wet · 7 snow
Mar
37° / 13°
9 wet · 6 snow
Apr
49° / 26°
11 wet · 4 snow
May
64° / 39°
12 wet · 1 snow
Jun
73° / 51°
12 wet
Jul
77° / 54°
12 wet
Aug
75° / 52°
11 wet
Sep
67° / 45°
12 wet
Oct
52° / 34°
13 wet · 2 snow
Nov
37° / 22°
12 wet · 6 snow
Dec
25° / 9°
11 wet · 9 snow
Typical high / low (°F) and days with rain or snow, 1991–2020. Measured at Minocqua, WI, 4.1 mi away at 1,601 ft. Source: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020.
Keep exploring — more snow worth the drive
SKI
Clear Lake Paved Bike Path
Next door
0.27-mile out-and-back paved bike path near Clear Lake, Wisconsin.
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Red Loop
~3 min drive
0.43-mile out-and-back ski route in Wisconsin with 48 feet of elevation gain.
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Mellow Meadow
~21 min drive
0.57-mile loop in Wisconsin with 57 ft of elevation gain.
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Beaver Pond
~21 min drive
0.11-mile out-and-back ski trail at Beaver Pond in Wisconsin.
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Clear Lake Paved Bike Path
Next door
0.32-mile out-and-back route at Clear Lake Paved Bike Path in Wisconsin
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Red Loop
~3 min drive
0.13-mile out-and-back ski out-and-back in Wisconsin with 21 ft of elevation gain.
SKI
Nekoosa
~21 min drive
0.80-mile out-and-back ski trail in Nekoosa, Wisconsin with 40 feet of elevation gain.
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Squirrel's Tail
~21 min drive
0.37-mile out-and-back ski trail in Wisconsin with 183 ft of elevation gain.
SKI
Clear Lake Paved Bike Path
Next door
0.16-mile out-and-back ski route on a paved bike path in Wisconsin.
SKI
Blue Loop
~3 min drive
0.36-mile out-and-back out-and-back with 18 ft of elevation gain in Wisconsin.
Also worth it near here
Map and trail data © OpenStreetMap contributors
