Governor Announces New Rustic Roads Designated in Forest and Door Counties
Governor Walker announces new Rustic Roads designated in Forest and Door counties Brings Rustic Roads total to 119
Governor Scott Walker announces the designation of two new Rustic Roads in the state: Rustic Road 118 in town of Wabeno, Forest County and Rustic Road 119 in town of Washington, Door County.
Rustic Road 118 (R-118), a 26.3-mile paved and gravel route located in the Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest, begins at the intersection of WIS 32 and County C in the historic logging town of Wabeno and loops on Bay Shore, Camp 1, Kuffner, and Indian Market Roads.
The Knowles Creek Impoundment and Interpretive Trail, accessible from County C, is a popular place to view wildlife including owls, hawks, eagles, loons, and waterfowl. R-118 is a popular destination to view fall colors since it’s heavily wooded with maples, oaks, pine and popple. The Nicolet State Trail also is accessible from Wabeno.
Rustic Road 119 (R-119) is the only Rustic Road on an island. This 27-mile route is comprised of segments of County W, and 14 town roads that hug the shoreline as well as take the traveler into the middle of the island. Ferry service provides access to Washington lsland.
R-119 provides a sampling of the island. The south end of the route is punctuated with sand dunes, forests and the occasional view of the rocky shoreline of Lake Michigan. Visitors also will see limestone bluffs which are part of the Niagara Escarpment as well as lavender farms and vineyards. Schoolhouse Beach, one of the most unique stone beaches in the world is near the Rustic Road.
Wisconsin’s Rustic Roads Program was started more than 40 years ago to preserve scenic, lightly-traveled country roads for the leisurely enjoyment of hikers, bicyclists and motorists. Rustic Roads range from under two miles to 37 miles in length and have a maximum speed limit of 45 miles per hour. Unique brown and yellow signs mark the routes of all officially designated Rustic Roads. The Wisconsin Department of Transportation (WisDOT) oversees the Rustic Roads program; however, the roads remain under local government jurisdiction.
With the addition of R-118 and R-119, the state’s system now includes nearly 720 miles of Rustic Roads through 59 counties. For more information on the Rustic Roads program, including the new Rustic Roads interactive guide, visit wisconsindot.gov/rusticroads.
