Stower Seven Lakes State Trail

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flat and wide crushed stone trail through woods

Stower Seven Lakes Trail

The Stower Seven Lakes Trail was established in 2010 as a bike, pedestrian, and recreational trail and was paved with crushed stone after securing an $800k grant from the 2009 American Recovery and Reinvestment Act under President Obama. Today, the trail is entirely funded by state trail pass fees and donations. It is named in honor of Harvey and Marilyn Stower. Harvey Stower was the Mayor of Amery and state assemblyman who advocated for the former railbed to be converted to a bike trail. That's the Stower part of the name.

The Seven Lakes part of the name recognizes seven of the scenic lakes the trail threads between: North Twin Lake, South Twin Lake, Kinny Lake, Bear Trap Lake, Dwight Lake, Horse Lake, and Lotus Lake. These lakes represent the recreational heart of Polk county along this span between Amery and Dresser. They are active with boaters, fishermen, and swimmers in the summer and ice fishermen in the winter. The trail also continues east from the trailhead in Amery and crosses the Apple River before turning into an ATV trail called the Cattail State Trail.

The Stower Seven Lakes Trail is a flat and wide trail with relatively fresh paving of crushed limestone. There are several elongated curves except for a long straight section along 65th avenue. Most of the trail is shaded and closed in by thick vegetation on both sides.

The trail crosses the Wapogasset Branch (or Sucker Branch) which is a stream that flows from Wapogasset Lake south to meet with Peabody Creek. The trail also crosses through a floating bog. There are interpretive signs posted at each that describe the local ecology and geography. Four other interpretive signs are found along the way highlighting topics such as local arts, the history of the Soo Line, and Lotus Lake. As part of the Aldo Leopold Legacy Trail system, educational opportunities such as these signs are required to be posted along the trail.

I found the best scenery and most enjoyable part of the ride to be from Wanderoos to Lotus Lake. Consider starting at Wanderoos and biking to Lotus Lake County Park for a picnic and returning to Wanderoos.

There's not much for services along the length of the trail. You'll find restrooms at each end of the trail; one in Amery and another at Lotus County Park. There is also a water pump available at Lotus County Park and there is said to be a campsite there as well, but I didn't find one. In Amery, you'll find two good choices for a post-ride snack: Dairy Queen or Ellie's Ice Cream and Coffee Shop. Both are within a few blocks of the Amery Trailhead.

Picnic Shelter on Lotus Lake at end of Stower Seven Lakes Trail

Overview: Stower Seven Lakes State Trail

COUNTIES: Polk
COMMUNITIES: Dresser, Nye, Wanderoos, Deronda, Amery

TOTAL MILES: 13.4
PAVEMENT: Crushed stone

POINTS OF INTEREST: Lotus Lake, Horse Lake, Round Lake, Kinney Lake, North Twin Lake, South Twin Lake

CAMPING: Hiker's Shelter at Lotus Lake County Park

Directions and Trail Map

If viewing on a mobile device, open the trail map above to load into Google Maps App by touching the expand rectangle in the upper right corner.

Addresses for your GPS:

Lotus Lake County Park: 2160 90th Ave, Osceola, WI 54020
| coordinates: 45.340236, -92.600693 |
Nye Parking: 783 205th St, Osceola, WI 54020

| coordinates: 45.315528, -92.581189 |