River Pines Trail


Length: 3.1 miles
Surface: Crushed granite trail (along river), paved roads, sidewalks
Activities: Hiking, jogging, biking, pets
Parking: Stevens Point Care Center on Sherman Ave. (south), downtown Stevens Point (north)

The River Pines Trail extends from the Stevens Point Care Center parking lot in the south to the Highway 66 bridge over the Wisconsin River in the north.

The majority of the trail meanders through natural forest as it follows the Wisconsin River shoreline. One of the most scenic portions of the trail, this section offers views of rocky outcroppings, islands, large white pine and oak trees, and incredible sunsets. A short portion near downtown follows sidewalks along Water Street, where several historic houses stand.

The Scenic Beauty of Echo Dells
Just north of the Stevens Point Care Center, watch for an old stone foundation on the east side of the trail. In the early 1900s, this scenic area was known by Stevens Point residents as Echo Dells, popular for picnicking, camping, and hiking. Andrew M. Nelson started a summer colony here made up of several cottages. George Nelson, Andrew's nephew, built his summer home here in 1911. George was a local attorney who later became a Wisconsin Supreme Court justice (Nelson Hall on the UWSP campus is named for him). The pile of rocks along the Green Circle are remnants of George Nelson's fireplace. In 1921, George called for the creation of a park to preserve Echo Dells, calling it "one of the choicest beauty spots and one of the few remaining tracts of virgin timber left in central Wisconsin." The next year, Echo Dells was sold to the Wisconsin River Paper & Pulp company for flowage rights. Most cottages were removed, but the remnants of some serve as reminders of the past. The beauty of the area continues to beckon visitors today.

Westside Loop Alternative
At the County Hwy. HH intersection (traveling north), instead of staying on the River Pines Trail, you can cross the bridge over the Wisconsin River and follow the marked Westside Loop (2.4 miles) as an alternative route.

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