National Park Service Acquires 213 Acres in Wisconsin for North Country Trail

In northern Wisconsin, the National Park Service has secured 213 acres of land adjacent to Lake Superior, facilitating the movement of three miles of the North Country National Scenic Trail from roadways to safeguarded natural areas. This land was acquired from the Trust for Public Land, funded by the federal Land and Water Conservation Fund, and encompasses 1,300 feet of shoreline along Lake Superior and 2,100 feet along the Montreal River, which features the 90-foot Superior Falls. Previously, the Trust for Public Land purchased the property for $2.5 million in September, with assistance from the National Park Foundation and Wyss Foundation. Additionally, the site preserves the historic Flambeau Trail, a Native American trade route. The North Country Trail stretches over 4,800 miles across eight states, including 210 miles in Wisconsin, with 145 miles designated as permanent off-street trail. Trail superintendent Chris Loudenslager highlighted the acquisition's advantages for hikers and local communities, while land managers will assess the area for the best trail route, aiming to start construction as soon as next year. This acquisition follows a previous 317-acre purchase in northern Wisconsin last July and segments built by volunteers in North Dakota.