Trail Description

Pattison State Park Segment 2.6 miles

Trailhead: near the entry gate of Pattison State Park (Entry fee required), on Wisconsin Highway 35 about 12 miles south of Superior, Wisconsin. Look for NCT emblems.
Campsites: in the state park campground.

This segment is on the hiking trails of Pattison State Park, and follows the Black River southward toward Little Manitou Falls. It’s currently a single-ended segment, but you can loop your way back to the trailhead by following other parts of the Pattison trails.
Thru hikers take the following route to Minnesota. From the park entrance, follow the tunnel under Wisconsin 35 and be sure to see Big Manitou Falls, the highest waterfall in Wisconsin and the upper Midwest. Follow Douglas County Highway B west 3.75 miles to Dedham Road. Take Dedham Road north (right) 4 miles to Douglas County Highway C at Borea. Turn west (left) on C and follow it 6.5 miles to the Minnesota border at State Line, Wisconsin.
Continue west on this highway 2.5 miles to Minnesota Highway 23. Turn north (right) and follow 23 two miles to Jay Cooke State Park.

Links
Pattison State Park Website

East Trailhead: Stuckey Road where the trail crosses, just north of the intersection with Prairie Lane.

West Trailhead: Prairie Lane near Spring Creek.

Description:  Leave Stuckey Road heading west through open grasslands.  In 0.4-miles, cross Prairie Lane and continue south and west through mixed forests consisting of pine, aspen, and mixed hardwoods.   Along the way pass over Rainbow Bridge—a 48-foot boardwalk spanning the narrows between two wetlands and a longer boardwalk prior to reaching the junction with a spur trail (temporary) that takes you out to Prairie Lane where roadwalk toward Minnesota resumes.

Regulations:  Restricted to hiking and backpacking only.

Camping: On Douglas County Forest camping is restricted to designated backpacker campsites marked with a Carsonite post and a camping decal.  To date, two exist within this section—Leo Creek and Rovers Lake.  Both include a firering, tentpad, water source, simple wooden bench, wilderness latrine, and a register box.    In Pattison SP, there is a choice between a backpacker campsite near the south end of the segment and a modern, developed campground further north.