Equestrian Trails
Stay & Ride in Polk County, WI
We have beautiful spaces and trails for horseback riding in Polk County, WI. Be sure to put these rides on your equestrian itinerary. Still learning, or want to learn to ride horses? Check out Rocky Acres Riding where they offer beginner horse riding lessons for all ages, focusing on building confidence in being around horses and learning the basics of riding. Also offering 30-minute horse lead rides, designed for all ages to experience the joy of horse riding in a relaxing way!
Please follow the Trail Etiquette & Safety Guidelines complied by the WI DNR for equestrian use.
GOVERNOR KNOWLES STATE PARK
RIDE
Governor Knowles is your Northwoods destination for equestrian riding and camping. With more than 40 miles of maintained, well-marked horse trails winding through breathtaking upland terrain and multiple forest types.
The Trade River Equestrian Trail System consists of 40 miles of maintained and marked trails that wind through a variety of terrains and different forest types. They are located on the southern half of the Governor Knowles State Forest in northwest Polk and southwest Burnett counties.
The main trail is the Barrens Loop (brown signs). For a shorter ride there is the Sunrise Shortcut (green signs), which divides the Barrens Loop in half. The Wolf Creek Trail (red signs) loops east from the main trails toward Wolf Creek. The Multiple Use Trail (north of the northwest parking lot) takes the rider toward Grantsburg for a distance of 18 miles.
TRAILHEADS: There are two trailheads. One is at the Trade River Campground on Evergreen Avenue, 5 miles west of Highway 87. The other trailhead is on 340th Street at the northwest parking lot, 4 miles south of County Highway O. Detailed maps and trail logs are provided at both trailheads.
CAMP
Trade River Equestrian Campground offers 40 campsites with picnic tables, fire rings and horse tie lines. Electrical hookups are available for an additional fee at some sites. Vault toilets and potable
water is located within the campground, which is open May 1 through Oct. 31. Water will be shut off starting the second week of October
RACE
The annual Trade River Run: Endurance, Limited Distance, and Competitive Ride is planned for May 17 & 18, 2025. This event, located near the Trade River Equestrian Campground in Cushing, WI,, and is an AERC MnDRA DRAW & UMECRA sanctioned ride on the Trade River Equestrian Trail System.
THE CATTAIL STATE TRAIL
The Cattail State Trail is a gravel trail that travels for 18 miles on a former rail corridor between the communities of Amery and Almena in northwestern Wisconsin. Forests, farmlands, prairies, hills and various wildlife habitats surround the trail, which also passes through the Village of Turtle Lake.
OPEN for Horses, ATV/UTV use. Off road motorcycles allowed spring/summer/fall
TRAILHEAD: Intersection of Center St E & Riverside Blvd, Amery
SOMERS LAKE RECREATION AREA
Polk County offers the Somers Lake Trail for ungroomed cross-country skiing and snowshoeing. Somers Lake is a scenic wooded 2-mile closed loop trail 5 miles east of Frederic. The gravel trail is also available all year for hikers and equestrian use that includes an expanded parking lot for trailers.
TRAILHEAD: 3138 100th St County Rd I, Frederic
