Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
The forest is also isolated enough that in 2012 the state announced it would transplant 75
Michigan elk here to start a herd.
The
Wazee Trail
isa62-mileautotourthroughtheBlackRiverregionalonghistoricNative
American routes. Twelve miles of the trail—Highway O (North Settlement Rd.)—are es-
tablished as an official Wisconsin Rustic Road.
The Black River
The Black River
—named for the water's black hue, caused by a high iron content—cuts
across Wisconsin's central plain and western upland regions. Unlike most glacially carved
waterways,therivercutsforthemostpartthroughasteeptrenchwithrelativelyfewmarshy
areas or lakes (though it is surrounded by those moss-rich swamps). Most visitors come to
paddle; 75 river (or tributary) miles are canoeable in the immediate vicinity. Trips are most
common out of Hatfield. A trip all the way to the Mississippi River is possible, requiring
about five very casual days.
One of the most popular stretches of water is the float upstream from Black River Falls
betweenHall'sCreektoadam.Ultracasualtubersgenerallytaketwohourstoleisurelyfloat
from Irving Landing to Lost Falls.
Wazee Lake
A number of miles east of Black River Falls is primevally icy
Wazee Lake,
a glacial lake
that is 350 feet deep with no outlets; it's also incredibly clear, so expect to see scuba flags
and snorkel gear about.
Other Recreation
The Black River State Forest has 35 miles of mountain-bike trails. Cross-country ski
trails—highly rated by ski bums, by the way—are five miles north of Millston. Trail passes
are required; they cost $4 per day.
The county is constantly establishing more trail routes along iron mine trails in county
forest land. Hundreds of miles of state and county forest logging roads are open to bikes.
