Special Section

5 Stellar Sites for Snowshoeing

V1 Staff |

1. Beaver Creek S1 Cty Hwy K, Fall Creek • www.beavercreekreserve.org • 877-2212 • A few minutes in your car and you can spend an entire afternoon in the quiet beauty of the woods. Beaver Creek Reserve has a number of wooded, groomed trails for snowshoeing. Rental equipment is available there, as well.

2. Lowes Creek County Park Lowes Creek Road, Eau Claire • 839-4738 • Just minutes south of Eau Claire, escape to a scenic winter wonderland with your snowshoes. This 250-acre park provides extensive trails perfect for a quiet afternoon, hiking through glimmering snow.

3. Tower Ridge 955 S82 Ave., Eau Claire • 839-4738 • Don’t let the mounds of snow keep you from exercising; Tower Ridge is a great place to enjoy the snow and workout. There are hilly and flat groomed trails for all levels. There are about 3 kilometers of lighted trails and a warming shelter that allows for night outings, a nice precursor to a warm fire.

4. Hoffman Hills State Recreation Area 730th Ave., Colfax • 232-1242 • Head out to Menomonie to enjoy 707 acres of preserved and restored wooded hills, wetlands, and prairie, lined with trails for all levels. Hike through the snow while feasting your eyes on spectacular views of the surrounding countryside. Vehicle admission stickers aren’t required, but all skiers over 16 years of age must have a state trail pass.      

5. Blue Hills Between Rusk County and Rice Lake • www.bluehillswisconsin.com • If you don’t mind a short drive (about an hour and a half from Eau Claire), check out the Blue Hills quiet winter sports area, named for the blue-tinted forested hillsides when seen through the mist. Blanketed in snow, check out the Blue Hills Trail, Sisters’ Farm trail, Nordic Woods trail, and Timberland Hills trail. Make it into a day trip or spend an entire weekend there.