Takesson Trail

The Takesson Trail is a two-loop trail in Copper Falls State Park near Mellen, Wisconsin. The outer loop is 2.5 miles in length while the inner loop is 1.6 miles long. The Takesson Trail is a relatively easy trail through the forest with gently rolling hills. This trail offers views of the Bad River from above. Since this trail is located in a state park, a fee must be paid to enter the park. A day use or annual permit can be purchased at the Park Office. Dogs are allowed on this trail but must be on a leash that is 8 feet long or shorter. Note that mountain biking is allowed on this trail. The Takesson Trail is groomed for classic cross-country skiing in the winter. Parking for this hike is available at the Ballfield Parking Lot. For those camping at the North Campground it is a short walk to the trailhead.

The trailhead is located near the southern end of North Campground. There is a fork in the trail after about a tenth of a mile; go right here. After about a third of a mile there is a nice spot to view the Bad River far below. At the 0.7-mile mark, the trail splits; go left to take the shorter inner loop or take a right to hike the outer loop. The outer loop has more hilly terrain than the inner loop and features hardwoods, hemlock and cedar trees. The inner loop passes through mostly hardwoods. The inner loop passes by a small pond before rejoining the outer loop. On this last stretch of the trail there are a couple of tamarack bogs. Hikers can also get a view of Murphy Lake to the right through trees on this portion of the trail.