Rawley Point Bike Trail - Twp Rivers WI

We enjoy riding our bikes on the many beautiful trails that Wisconsin has to offer as well as exploring areas on foot.

We will be including our critiques on different bike trails in our blog, too.

Our favorite bike trail, the one that we ride every Memorial Day to welcome summer, is the Rawley Point Trail in Two Rivers, WI.

This trail runs through Point Beach State Park and ends up on the shores of Lake Michigan.

We park at Neshotah Park which is just across the street from the trail head.

The park, itself is located right on Lake Michigan and has a beautiful, wide, sandy, beach.

There is a large playground, picnic grounds, and nice, clean bathrooms located in the park.

The trail winds along County O for about a mile before you cross O and enter the state park.

We enjoy a winding, up and down trail with no steep, long hills and this one fits the bill for us.  It is a great ride for seniors who like to ride slower and take in the scenery along the way.  There are no racing cyclists along the trail, it's too curvy to go too fast.  You will run into some families (it is great for kids, but that is for another blog) and other seniors

The trail itself is five miles from the entrance to the beach.  You can reward yourself with a snack when you get to the end.  There is a concession stand with both hot and cold food and snacks right on the lake.  We like to buy something to eat and sit on one of the many benches overlooking the lake.
There are also newly remodeled, clean bathrooms in the concession building as well as a nature center.  The concession building also serves the large campground located in the park

 This is an area behind the concession building where you can just sit and take it all in.

That is Lake Michigan..

On the trail about halfway between the beach and the entrance to the state park, there is a small cottage.  We always like to stop and take a photo by this cottage.

We have been riding this trail, to welcome summer, every year for the last eight years.

It would not be the same without a stop at this little cottage.

Over the years, the weather on this trail, in true Wisconsin fashion, varies greatly in late May.

We have worn sweatshirts and kept them on the entire ride, we have worn layers and been down to the last layer by the time we are finished, we have worn rain gear, long pants, shorts, tank tops, t shirts, long sleeved shirts, and even winter hats and gloves.  The best advice we can give is be prepared, just like a boy scout.  Take it all along, watch the weather, and dress accordingly.  Even in the rain, this trail is beautiful.

We also suggest taking sunscreen and mosquito spray.  Although the mosquitoes have not been horrible this early in the season we have noticed them on the warmer rides.  Again, be prepared.

The majority of the trail is shaded, but there is a stretch of prairie area where, on a sunny day, you will want your sunscreen and you will need it on the beach, too.

If you ride this trail later in the summer, we are certain you will want both your spray and screen.

After that little side note, let us get back to the ride.

After a snack on the beach, we like to head up the road to the Rawley Point Light House.  It's an easy ride about a quarter of a mile up the paved road that goes passed the campground.

Once you arrive at the area, you can walk up a trail passed the light house and then on to the beach.  The beach at this area is wide and sandy.

From there, you head back to the trail via a paved road.

Just as a warning, there is one steep hill on the trail, but only one and it is short.

There is no shame in walking up this hill but we have been able to make it up without needing to dismount although we take a much needed rest at the top.

The uphill ride is on your way back out of the state park.

There is a nice casual restaurant/bar located about a quarter mile from the entrance.  There is a short path to the restaurant from the bike path so it is easy to make the small detour to enjoy a refreshment.  We have only had a beer and peanuts there so we cannot attest to the tastiness of the food but it looked good and smelled good, too.

Before you know it, you are out of the state park and on your way back to Neshotah Park.

There is plenty to explore in the beautiful city of Two Rivers if you still want to ride.

You can easily bike over to the Washington House, the home of the world's first sundae, for some ice cream.  There are members of the historical society on site and if you ask nicely, they will give you a tour of the entire building including a huge theater upstairs.  Actually, we got the tour without even asking.

You can also explore Rogers Street Fishing Museum for a fee.  We have never taken the tour, but the museum, which takes up an entire city block along one of the two rivers, looks interesting.

There is a bike trail, The Mariner Trail, that will take you all the way to Manitowoc along Lake Michigan.  It is paved and about six miles long.  We have ridden that trail a few times, but found it windy and uphill most of the way in either direction.  (We can't explain that, but it sure feels that way)  It is also crowded with walkers, gardeners, and other bikers, some going fast.

One last note before we wrap this up.
If you want to stay overnight in this area and do one trail each day, we recommend a night in the Lighthouse Inn which you will find right on the bike trail (the one that goes to Manitowoc) on the lake.  It is a beautiful hotel with a lovely lounge area and very tasty food.

In closing, we hope  you enjoyed this post about our favorite bike trail.
Until next time...
Travel safe and have fun along the way.