The Wisconsin Trail With An Old Growth Forest And Hidden Lake You Just Can’t Beat

There are a lot of amazing trails in Northern Wisconsin, and one special trail will take you into a world that has all but disappeared. The Sam Campbell Memorial Trail is a Wisconsin hike like no other. It travels through stands of forest that have been untouched by development, and it skirts a gorgeous glacial lake. Ready for a Wisconsin escape? Here’s what’s waiting for you on the Sam Campbell Memorial Trail.

The Sam Campbell Memorial Trail is located in Three Lakes, Wisconsin, far up in the Northwoods. It’s a beautiful escape for people who love experiencing nature.

The trail was named in honor of nature enthusiast, philosopher, and writer, Sam Campbell. He had a home in Three Lakes and was called the "Philosopher of the Forest."

Campbell wrote for people of all ages, and the trail named in his honor is equally accessible. It’s a hike that’s as easy as it is rewarding. The trail passes through a forest filled with pines, balsam, and hardwoods, and it’s home to many birds and wildflowers.

The trail passes through old growth pine and cedar forest – more than a century ago, vast logging operations cleared much of the original timber in Northern Wisconsin, but this place was spared.

The hike travels around Vanishing Lake, a wild place Campbell featured in his writings.

The trail is wild but well marked, and there are signs with information about the plants and animals of the area. If you do the whole loop, you’ll cover about four miles.

Learn more about the Sam Campbell Memorial Trail on the U.S. Forest Service website. Get your hiking supplies at REI. Wisconsin has an abundance of amazing natural areas and trails. Here’s where to find them.