River Glen Trail – Mountain Bike Trail

River Glen Trail is a short and sweet mountain biking trail for those living slightly north of Kletzsch Park in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, that need something quick and easy. That said, you can also use it if you come from further away or are just visiting the area. It snakes along the side of the Milwaukee River and is relatively well-maintained thanks to the efforts of the Metro Milwaukee Mountain bike club. You can also go several laps along the looped trail if you’re itching for something longer without going too far from the neighborhood.

Before you go:

Drinking water

Restrooms

Fee required

Lift service

Fat bike grooming

Family Friendly

Night riding

E-bikes allowed

Dogs Allowed

Obstacles

Shuttles

Detailed Trail Description

There are two main ways to get onto the River Glen Trail. The first is to park on Milwaukee River Parkway less than 100 yards north of its intersection with Green Tree Road. This gives you direct access to the River Glen trailhead. This is also accessible via the Oak Leaf paved multi-use trail snaking through Kletzsch Park.

The other trailhead is on the northern end of the trail just off the Good Hope Road, Milwaukee River Parkway junction. In both cases, the trailhead will be pretty well hidden from view if you’re on the street, so you may have to do some looking among the trees to find it.

The trail is bidirectional and moderately woody. It’s well cared for by the Metro Milwaukee Mountain Bike Club, so it is often in good condition. Unfortunately, the dirt there doesn’t drain very well. That said, it is usable even in wet weather due to the logs placed on the sections that tend to flood.

As mentioned above, it skirts along the side of the Milwaukee River, providing beautiful views as you go along. There are also minimal elevation changes, so it should be easy to get through.

In some sections, tree branches encroach on the sides of the trail, so you might need to be careful not to hit one as you’re zipping through the singletrack.

Given that it’s just over 1 mile long, you may have to take several laps around it to get your fill, or you can get on the Oak Leaf Trail and use it to connect to the Kletzsch Park trail system down south.

Unfortunately, for more experienced, there’s nothing here to get you excited except for an optional jump. Other trail features include a small wooden bridge and logs covering some wet sections.

There may be some hikers taking in views of the river and other riders on the trail. That said, it’s often the case that you’re the only one on the trail.

Sights of Interest, Landscapes, Views

Given its location, you’ll have plenty of good views of River Milwaukee. You can also extend your ride to Kletzsch Park if you need to.

Recommendations and Precautions

There may be wet, muddy areas even a few days after a storm. Also, trees tend to fall into the trail during the rainy season, making it harder to get through.