Trail Map - Chippewa River State Trail
Trail Facts
The Chippewa River State Trail trailhead is in Phoenix Park located at the confluence of the Eau Claire and Chippewa Rivers in downtown Eau Claire. The trail extends 30 miles to the City of Durand. Tarrant Park serves as the west trailhead. There are now 10 public campsites available at Tarrant Park. For more information on this check with the City of Durand at (715)672-8770 or on their website.
The trail surface is ten feet wide and paved with smooth asphalt from the start of the trail in Eau Claire to just near Caryville close to mile marker 11 (Caryville is just after the 12 mile marker). From there to the trail junction of the Red Cedar State Trail, the surface is an oil-based chip sealed asphalt emulsion suitable for bicycle riding but not for rollerblading. The 6.5 mile section from the trail junction to the City of Durand is now completely paved with smooth blacktop. All bridges are wooded decked and railed for riding safety.
The Chippewa River State Trail is available year round for outdoor activities. During the Spring, Summer and Fall, you may enjoy walking, running, bicycling, and in-line skating. In the Winter, you may use the trail for walking, running, cross-country skiing (ungroomed) and snowmobiling (Short St. to Durand).
Any groups or individuals wishing to schedule a special event on the state portion of the Chippewa River State Trail should contact the Menomonie office of the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources at (715) 232-1242 or Scott Erickson at Lake Wissota State Park at (715) 382-4574. Any special events on the Eau Claire portion of the trail should be directed to the Eau Claire Parks, Recreation & Forestry Department at (715) 839-5032. The trail section from Durand to the trail junction of the Red Cedar State Trail is operated and maintained by Pepin County. Contact Terry Mesch for information on this section by calling 715-672-5709 or email recycle@co.pepin.wi.us .
Convenient trail access points with parking facilities are located in Eau Claire, the end of Fehr Road / Jopke Road, Highway 85 Rest Area, Caryville, Meridean and Durand.
Trail Pass Information
A trail pass is required for all people age 16 or older biking, in-line skating, horseback riding, or cross-country skiing on certain designated state trails. On the Chippewa River State Trail, only people who bike or in-line skate are required to have passes.
Passes are NOT REQUIRED on the city trail portion in Eau Claire, Village of Lake Hallie or on the Pepin County / Durand section.
The cost of an annual pass is $25.00 which is good on any state trail in Wisconsin for one calendar year from January 1 - December 31. A daily pass is $5.00.
Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources Conservation Patron license will be honored as an annual trail pass.
There may be a $5.00 surcharge added to the trail fee if an attendant contacts you on the trail and you have not purchased a pass before getting on to the trail.
Passes are available at the following businesses in Durand:
Cenex / Taco Casa
Conoco / Subway
Pepin Co. Clerk's Office (Gov't Center)
Passes can also be obtained on the trail from DNR personnel or members of the Friends of the Chippewa River State Trail during hours when staffed.
The Wisconsin DNR West Central Region Office located at 1300 W. Clairemont Ave in Eau Claire also has trail passes and can be purchased during regular weekday business hours or through the Wisconsin DNR website.
There is a self-registration box located on the trail at Short Street to purchase annual or daily passes.
A portion of the money from each trail pass sold by the Friends group stays in the community to support the Chippewa River State Trail.
