Section Quick Links:  Planning  |  Studies  |   Projects   |  Priorities

Planning

Bayfield Peninsula Trails Plan

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. 

Click the button below for the full details on our planning process, initial recommendations, and how you can provide feedback.

Studies

Bayfield Peninsula Silent Sports Community and Economic Impact Study - 2025​
We know we love our trails! To better understand their impact, the Bayfield Area Trails Committee partnered with the Bayfield Chamber and Visitor Bureau and UW-River Falls Survey Research Center to conduct a yearlong study between September 2024 and November 2025. Nineteen volunteers conducted 721 surveys at 11 trailheads, followed by 2 online follow-up surveys of trail users and community members.
The project was funded by grants from the Wisconsin Coastal Management Program and the Wisconsin Department of Tourism Joint Effort Marketing Program. Implementation was supported by the Town of Bayfield, and amazing Bayfield Area Trails volunteers, especially Peter Rothe and Kathleen Russell.

Projects

2026 Project Calendar 
​View our 2026 project calendar. Check out our project list and consider becoming a volunteer!

Priorities

Our priorities for 2026 are displayed below. Please consider volunteering to help us reach our goals. Our 2026 Project Calendar will be linked above soon. You can view our Annual Reports for a comprehensive overview of past accomplishments.
Maintain & Enhance Existing Trails
  • Standard Trail Workdays: Continue work days twice per month.
  • Salmo Trail: Implement accessibility project with WisCorps and volunteers, funded by grants & donations.
  • Big Ravine: Oversee contracted assessment & design for the lower Gil Larsen trail & storm water infrastructure.
  • Clayton Creek Trail: Organize volunteers to assist Red Cliff TNR with spring maintenance.
  • Pileated Woodpecker Trail: Fnish bridge installation; stabilize banks; install final directional and interpretive signs.
  • Jerry Jolly: Pikes Creek stabilization (contract, in-house, volunteers, Trout Unlimited).
  • Brownstone Trail: routine maintenance and ditch clearing, once in spring and once in fall.
  • Houghton Falls Preserve: TBD
  • Ashwabay: Initiate Jolly Long bridge replacement via planning, permitting, and fundraising.
  • Raspberry River Trail: With County staff, evaluate for possible improvements/reroute; consider installing signage.
  • Routine maintenance: Conduct routine maintenance based upon the Survey 123 assessments from fall 2025.
  • Invasive species control: Monitor for and control invasives; incorporate this into the AAT program.
Develop New Trails
  • Ashwabay: Implement trail signage and routine mowing for select trails to create consistent hiking opportunities.
  • Big Ravine: Construct East Rim Ravine Edge Loop.
  • Big Ravine East Rim: With Township, City, and willing landowners, develop foot trails to separate snowmobile use.
  • Big Ravine Sweeny Loop: With City approval, construct link from Martin Rd. to Chipmunk via Sweeny Ave. R/W.
  • Lost Creek Falls: Assist the County with a possible loop connection trail.
  • Siskiwit River Preserve: Assist the County with a possible trail connection between the Preserve and Cornucopia.​
Plan New Trails & Secure Access
(Working with Landowners)
  • Bayfield Peninsula Trails Plan: With support from the NPS-RTCA program, complete the long-term plan and the associated 5-year implementation plan.
  • Fire Hill Preserve: With contractor assistance, initiate management and recreation plan with public input.
  • City of Washburn: Connect Lakeshore Walking Trail to RR grade through ballfields; Trail improvements @ new bike park; improve signage for trail connections; plan Aurora Housing to Mem. Park (build in 2027).
  • Red Cliff to Bayfield Link: Initiate coordination to seek funding and implementation.
  • Secure easements/agreements: For Big Ravine trails (E. Rim, Headwaters, Chipmunk), and Gracie’s Trail.
  • Chequamegon Rd. to Salmo Trail: Continue to pursue easements for a public connection to complete the Brownstone. If secured, develop trail & signage. Implement (signage & build) if easements are secured.
Communication & Outreach
  • Strengthen landowner and community relations: Implement outreach via core messages, letters, & strategies.
  • Expand visibility & “reach”: To broaden financial and public support and increase volunteerism.
  • Routine communications: Annual Report; project & feature story blogs on website & social media; email updates.​
  • Roll out Socioeconomic Study: To decision makers, broader public, and website to highlight silent sports impacts.
  • Guided hikes and programs: Continue and expand to promote appreciation and stewardship.
  • Online trail & map information: Improve availability of including QR codes, master map, and links to other trails.
Establish a Sustainable Organization
  • Expand volunteerism: Implement a Volunteer Development Initiative to broaden volunteer recruitment, training, and recognition.
  • Funding strategy: Based upon the long-term Bayfield Peninsula Trails Plan 5-year implementation plan, develop a budget and fundraising strategy.
  • Leadership succession: Document roles, responsibilities of Chair & BAT Comm. procedures in the operations manual to facilitate succession planning. Develop and initiate a strategy and actions to transfer leadership.
  • Organizational structure: Consider options for the Bayfield Area Trails structure such as continuing the current MOU or creating a new 501(c)(3) incorporated nonprofit. Consider who holds easements.
  • Maintain fiscal sponsorship: With Recreation & Fitness Resources. Consider other long-term strategies.

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