PURPOSE:

The Bayfield Peninsula Trails Plan is a long-term blueprint for creating a Peninsula-wide silent sports trail system and an organizational strategy to support it. 

​TEAM:

The plan is being developed with support from the National Park Service’s Rivers, Trails, and Conservation Assistance Program (NPS-RTCA) and funding from the Apostle Islands Area Community Fund of the South Shore Community Fund. A planning subcommittee includes ten community members, two RTCA staff, and a planning assistant.

OUTCOMES:

​The Plan outlines the Bayfield Area Trails program of work for trails maintenance and expansion for the next 10 years, including:

1. Produce a database and maps of existing trails and associated maintenance and improvement needs.
2. Develop a prioritized list, with descriptions and maps, of new trail proposals to enhance the Bayfield Peninsula trails system.
3. Goals, objectives, and strategies to achieve the program of work.
4. A five-year budget and implementation strategy that identifies the resources needed for building and sustaining Bayfield Area Trails including funding, labor/staffing, volunteer program, policies and procedures, and organizational structure.

KEY POINTS:

• Many of the new trail proposals are still conceptual and will require additional field work, consultation, and decision making.
• Final decisions reside with each landowner.
• Respecting private land is vital.
• Cooperation with willing private landowners will be essential.
• All projects will emphasize minimizing environmental impact and maximizing sustainability.

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Planning Process

Maintaining and improving existing trails:
Bayfield Area Trails volunteers evaluated existing trails for maintenance needs as well as major improvements and accessibility. The findings will be included in the plan.
 
New trail proposals:
Starting in July 2024, extensive GIS resource data was compiled for existing and new trail proposals across the Peninsula.

• Large-scale maps were created to gather ideas from 25 stakeholder groups including governmental organizations, private landowners, nonprofits, recreation groups, chambers of commerce, school districts, and utilities.
• Stakeholders identified 101 potential trail segments that included existing trail expansions, connections, new trail concepts, and bike routes. 
• In 2025, the planning team consolidated and prioritized the 101 segments and subsequently analyzed them for feasibility and refined them into a short list.
  

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Chris Morgan from the National Park Service Rivers Trails and Conservation Assistance Program discusses the Bayfield Peninsula Long-Term Trails Plan.

New Trail Ranking Categories​

Category 1: Deemed feasible; implement within 5 years
Category 2: Further analyze; implement in 5-10 years
Category 3: Potential for consideration in 10-20 years
Category 4: Retain as a concept for the future

Initial Recommendations

Top Priority New Trail Proposals

​​Category 1 Trails Map - Click image to enlarge.

​​Category 2 Trails Map - Click image to enlarge.

​​The plan includes descriptions and maps for 26 new trail proposals in the ten-year time horizon. Most of these proposed trails would be on public land, with some possibly crossing private property if the landowners are willing to grant a trail agreement. ​​

• Category 1 - 13 new trail proposals
• Category 2 - 13 new trail proposals

VIEW CATEGORY 1 & 2 TRAILS LIST

Existing Trails - Major Improvements in 2026

• ​​Salmo Accessibility Project - 2026
• Lower Big Ravine Trail Redesign Project - 2026

New Trails - Start in 2026

• Fire Hill System Trails planning - VIEW PROPOSAL
• Lost Creek Falls Additions - VIEW PROPOSAL
• Pikes Bay Connector - VIEW PROPOSAL
• Siskiwit River Preserve to Cornucopia - VIEW PROPOSAL

What's Next

• Draft Plan  ::  Planned for public review in the spring of 2026, including online viewing and public open houses.
• Final Plan  ::  After factoring in public input, a final plan is expected by fall of 2026.

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Feedback

Please help us fine-tune the draft Bayfield Peninsula Trails Plan by providing input below. Your ideas will be incorporated into the draft plan, and we will do our best to respond to your input. 

PROVIDE TRAILS PLAN FEEDBACK

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Trails Plan Partners