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Black River State Forest
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The Black River State Forest is a 68,000 acre managed public forest in Jackson
County. There are many miles of hiking, mountain biking, and ATV trails in the
forest. Only a few of these miles are reserved strictly for hiking. The nature
trail at Castle Mound is a two-mile hiking only trail which climbs to a
lookout perch on top of Castle Mound.
The remainder of the trail encircles the base of the mound leading through two
distinctive ecosystems. This short and easy trail is only a few minutes' drive
from an interstate exit at Black River Falls and is a convenient stop for a
stretch and a walk for those driving between Milwaukee and Minneapolis. It is
also a fall color hotspot in Wisconsin that is sought out by leaf peepers in
autumn. The area is usually in peak color on the first and second full weekend
of October.
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Fall Colors in the Black River State Forest
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The Castle Mound nature trail is short and relatively easy. For the majority of
its two mile loop the trail travels on a wide grassy two track footpath. A spur
trail heads up to the top of Castle Mound. The observation perch at the top of
Castle Mound is the big attraction on this trail - and most hikers walk
out-and-back to and from the Castle Mound summit.
The trail up to Castle Mound is a bit more difficult on a single track that
rapidly climbs the rocky butte. Hikers navigate around pediments of ancient lime
and sandstone and through sculptural crags. A short climb up a steel access
ladder leads to an observation deck at the summit where you can get a great view
of the expansive state forest area.
The remainder of the loop trail is pleasant and easy. The trail travels through
a dry pine forest on the southwest face of the mound and then turns back through
a more wet and cool boreal forest that is dominated by birch and hardwoods on
the northeast side of the mound. Be on the lookout for wolves, black bears, and
elk when hiking in the Black River Forest.
There is a campground at Castle Mound that is especially picturesque and popular
in fall. Though the proximity to highway 12 and I-94 make this campground a bit
loud with constant traffic noise. Castle Mound is also the staging point for one
of the major mountain biking trails in the forest.
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The spur trail up to the perch at Castle Mound
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Overview: Black River State Forest Nature Trail
COUNTY: Jackson
COMMUNITIES: Black River Falls
TOTAL MILES: 2.0 loop
DIFFICULTY: Easy to Moderate
POINTS OF INTEREST: Castle Mound, Castle Mound Pine Forest State Natural Area,
Black River State Forest
Directions and Trail Map
Address for your GPS: W10314 US-12, Black River Falls, WI 54615
| coordinates:
44.284172, -90.827559 |
| From Milwaukee |
3 Hours |
| From Madison |
2 Hours |
| From Green Bay |
3 Hours |
| From Wausau |
2 Hours |
| From Minneapolis |
2 Hours |
| From Chicago |
4 Hours |
Photos
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View from the lookout perch at Castle Mound in the Black River State
Forest
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Along the Black River Forest Nature Trail
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Along the Black River Forest Nature Trail
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Along the Black River Forest Nature Trail
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Along the Black River Forest Nature Trail
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Along the Black River Forest Nature Trail
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Along the Black River Forest Nature Trail
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Along the Black River Forest Nature Trail
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steps to the lookout perch at Castle Mound
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View from the Castle Mound Overlook
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Along the Black River Forest Nature Trail
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View from the Castle Mound Overlook
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View from the Castle Mound Overlook
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Along the Black River Forest Nature Trail
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