This 8-mile trail passes through the forests and farms of Oconto County between the communities of Oconto and Stiles Junction. Outside of Oconto, the trail parallels the Oconto River. The river has a long history of human activity, dating back 6000 years to the early Native Americans who lived along the river, to the fur trading and logging operations of the last few centuries, to present-day recreation activities such as canoeing and kayaking.

Copper Culture State Park, which is near the trail, sits on the banks of the river and features a Native American burial ground and museum. The Copper Culture burial ground is the oldest cemetery site in Wisconsin and possibly the oldest site in eastern North America.