The Two Rivers Segment of the Ice Age Trail is a 2.8-mile route along sidewalks and paved multi-use trails through the City of Two Rivers – an official Ice Age trail town. This route is as easy to hike as a walk around the block. Just because the trail is out of the woods and along city roads doesn’t mean it lacks scenic highlights. This small city is a picturesque Great Lakes harbor at the mouth and confluence of the East and West Twin Rivers. There are long views of Lake Michigan that you’ll want to relax and savor, and museums, restaurants, and day-at-the-beach activities along the trail route make a visit to Two Rivers an enriched full-day trip.
The trail connects directly to the Dunes Segment at its southwest trailhead and directly to the Point Beach Segment at its Northeast trailhead. Parking on streets and city park lots is easy to find throughout this segment. Neshotah Park is a large park and beach area on Lake Michigan. Hikers can find potable water, flush toilets, and parking at Neshotah Park.
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| The beach and Rotary Pavillion at Neshotah Park on the Ice Age Trail Two Rivers Segment |
The beach culture here in Two Rivers is thriving. I came to hike the segments in Manitowoc County on one of those rare early spring days when the temperatures rose to 70 degrees. Even though the beach at Neshotah Park was still wearing its winter fencing, the park was alive with bikers, walkers, rollerbladers, skaters, and people who just wanted to feel the sand on their feet at the end of a long winter indoors.
I started the trail where the Dunes Segment ends and walked down a long but pleasant residential drive. Sights along 12th Avenue include the water tower and a farm history museum, which appeared to be closed. I reached the confluence of the Twin Rivers and enjoyed views of the quaint harbor that Two Rivers has crafted. The Rogers Street Fishing Village is another museum and attraction I chose not to visit this time.
Like most others this summery afternoon, I was looking forward to reaching Neshotah Park and strolling barefoot along the beach. The Neshotah Park beach is one of the best in Wisconsin. I get strong vacationland vibes from this beach, which is usually vibrant with activity.
There is a short walk down a residential street from the beach to the Point Beach trailhead. This is where I doubled back and took a slightly different return route through Two Rivers – more commonly known as Trivers. Lunch at the Lighthouse Inn was the perfect end cap to this afternoon hike.
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| The Two Rivers Historical Farm Museum along the Ice Age Trail Two Rivers Segment |
Ice Age Trail Two Rivers Segment
COUNTY
MANITOWOC
COMMUNITIES
TWO RIVERS
TOTAL MILES
2.8-MILES POINT-TO-POINT
DIFFICULTY
EASY
LOWEST ELEVATION
575AMSL
HIGHEST ELEVATION
615 AMSL
TOTAL CUMMULATIVE ELEVATION GAIN
200 FT
NEXT IAT SEGMENT EASTBOUND
IAT POINT BEACH SEGMENT
NEXT IAT SEGMENT WESTBOUND
IAT MANITOWOC SEGMENT
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.
Address for your GPS: 2111 Pierce St, Two Rivers, WI 54241
| coordinates: 46.34055115571312, -91.23820071838573 |
| From Milwaukee | 1.5 Hours |
| From Madison | 2.5 Hours |
| From Green Bay | 1 Hours |
| From Wausau | 2.25 Hours |
| From Minneapolis | 5 Hours |
| From Chicago | 3 Hours |
Photos
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| Draw Bridge Crossing on the Ice Age Trail Two Rivers Segment |
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| View of the harbor and breakwater from the Ice Age Trail Two Rivers Segment |
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| Bridge over the West Twin River |
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| A key intersection on the Ice Age Trail Two Rivers Segment |
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| Looking back at the draw bridge from the Ice Age Trail Two Rivers Segment |
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| Buoys at the Coast Guard Station in Two Rivers from the Ice Age Trail Two Rivers Segment |
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| Park pavilion and restrooms along the Ice Age Trail Two Rivers Segment |
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| The main changing room and concession building at Neshotah Park in Two Rivers from the Ice Age Trail Two Rivers Segment |
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| A side street connecting Neshotah Park to Point Beach State Forest on the Ice Age Trail Two Rivers Segment |
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| The East Trailhead for the Two Rivers Segment / Westbound trailhead for the Point Beach Segment |