The objective of this site is to promote the Badger State State Trail and the Sugar River State Trail. If you are interested in linking to this site, want to advertise on the site, or have related information to share for this site, send e-mail to: webmaster@badger-trail.com
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Please use our sponsors and thank them for making this site possible. Food & Cheese Edelweiss Creamery - Monticello Gempeler's Supermarket - Monticello Tubing and Canoeing S & B Tubing, Canoeing, and Kayaking - Albany Camping Sweet Minihaha Campground - Albany Green Co. Forestry Educational Center Inc. Golf ARGUE-ment Golf Course - Belleville Pet Services Lodging Gasthaus / Swiss-Aire Bike Flyer Cameo Rose Victorian Country Inn B&B - Belleville Little Sugar River Farm - Albany
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Badger State Trail is a "Rails to Trails" trail extending from Madison, WI to the Illinois state line intended for bicycles and hikers during warm months and snowmobiles and very limited ATV use during the winter. With one end of the trail located in Fitchburg (subburb of Madison), a tunnel considered to be the darkest trail tunnel in Wisconsin, and the distinction of being the only inter-state trail in Wisconsin, the Badger State Trail is one of the most popular in the state. The trail is the old Illinois Central Railroad corridor. The highlight of the trail is the restored 1200-foot long Stewart Railroad Tunnel that was finished in 1887 and is located south of Belleville. Because of a slight bend in the tunnel, you gaze into total darkness. We recommend that you bring a bright flashlight. This tunnel may not be the longest trail tunnel in Wisconsin, but is considered by many to be the darkest in Wisconsin. From the tunnel, the trail continues south to Monticello where it crosses the Sugar River State Trail. From Monticello the trail continues to Monroe and then on into Illinois. At the Wisconsin state line it connects to the Jane Addams Trail which brings you to Orangeville and Freeport, IL. The Jane Addams Trail is part of the Grand Illinois Trail System.
At the northern most point of the Badger, the trail changes name as it continues into Madison and becomes the Southwest Path. At this point, The Millitary Ridge runs below and connects from the west and then chnges its name to Capitol City trail as it goes east. New construction for 2010 included an asphalt paved 10-ft. wide path for the 6.1 miles of the northern portion of the trail from Lovell Lane south to Purcell Road. The Badger Trail now has complete access from Madison! The Badger is blacktopped from Madison to Purcell Road (North of Belleville). From Purcell Road to the Illinois state line limestone screenings provide a hard smooth surface for your biking and hiking enjoyment. Communities along the trail all welcome trail users. May we suggest you go to the links for the communities at the top of this page to better plan your visit. If you are part of a group, may we suggest you reserve a shelter in the community you are starting and/or ending. Green County is famous for its many award winning cheese factories and two breweries, so plan on bringing part of Green County home with you. Hikers please take note that you are welcome to all parts of the Badger Trail and as a highlight of your hike be aware that part of the Badger is also part of the Ice Age Trail. For more details Ice Age Trail
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ATV Map for Village of Monticello
Locations to purchase Trail Passes
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| This space available. $200 per year. Contact webmaster@badger-trail.com | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Chambers of Commence A Visitor's Guide that includes map of Badger Trail and Sugar River Trail can be obtained from Green County Tourism using the link above or downloaded. Please mention this web site when requesting it.
Cross Country skiers using the trail next to the tunnel where snowmobiles are not allowed. Cranes south of Monticello |
You can find all kinds of bikers on all parts of the trail, but are more likely to find tourists, families, and the AARP generation riding at a slower pace between Belleville and the state line. From Belleville north you are more likely to meet avid bike riders, commuters, and bikers escaping the city.
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Hawk south of Monticello
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Natural ice sculpture
Belleville boys check out to tunnel. |
Snownmobilies and 4-wheelers In Green County, snowmobiling is allowed whenever there are 4 inches of snow, or the trail has a groomed base. Snowmobile use is not be permitted in the Stewart Tunnel, but a snowmobile trail is clearly marked to bypass the tunnel. From the Green-Dane county line north to Sun Valley Parkway, snowmobiling will be allowed whenever there are 6 inches of snow, or the trail has a groomed base. The Badger Trail does connect to Dane County trails. Snowmobiles are not allowed from starting at Purcell Road and north where the Badgertrail is blacktopped. Call 608-527-2910 for trail conditions. ATV's allowed from December 1 to March 15 when the trail is not open for snowmobiling (4 inches of snow depth, or trail has been groomed and has a snow base) All-terrain vehicle (ATV) use is only allowed from 21st Street in Monroe to Lake Avenue in Monticello if trail surface is frozen and air temperature approximately 28° F or lower on trail tread only. All-terrain vehicle conditions, openings and closures are announced at the Tri-County Trails web site and the DNR has a dedicated phone line to check trail conditions by calling 608-527-2910. Respect the trail so ATV use can continue.
Looking south into the tunnel clearly explains why snowmobiles are required to loop around the tunnel. |
Web sites with links to this web site.
The author of this site is a biker who has been riding the Sugar River Trail since its first year and is now riding the Badger State Trail. Both trails are on the east edge of the author's hometown of Monticello. Any site recommended by the author is within 5 miles of the Badger State Trail or the Sugar River State Trail. This site is not affiliated with the Wisconsin DNR. |
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Local Events We Hope You Consider:
Green County Calendar of Events
To have your event included, e-mail webmaster@badger-trail.com. All events must be within 5 miles or less of Badger Trail or Sugar River Trail. |
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Happy 4th Birthday Badger Trail - July 8, 2011 The Badger Trail was opened to the public July 8, 2007. Thousands of individuals, groups, and families have enjoyed the trail hiking, riding their snowmobile, or biking since then. The historic tunnel has been the draw for tourists both young and old alike. The tunnel provides a cool retreat on hot days with temperatures in the 50 - 60 degree range. Trailheads have been developed in Fitchburg, Belleville, Monticello, and Monroe with information about each community posted. This past fall saw the completion of the northern portion of the Badger Trail. Finally after years of anticipation, the final seven miles to Madison were blacktopped. Bikers and hikers can now go from Madison to Freeport, IL and/or connect to other state trails. The future of the trail is bright as it continues to get discovered by visitors from beyond Green County. Communities along the trail have been adding services for users of the trail. Large and small groups have enjoyed the trail and exploring the tunnel. Future goals include more signs to help you find the trail and maintaining the trail for the pleasure of Wisconsin residents and our visitors. Happy fourth birthday Badger! Enjoy the trail and thanks for visiting www.badger-trail.com
"Grand Opening of the Badger Trail" was in Belleville on July 8, 2007. Check out the photographs to see how grand it really was. A Grand Opening at the stateline was also held to make the official connection to the Jane Addams Trail. |
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Media reports related to Badger State Trail: Monroe Evening Times Funding for trailhead facility approaches goal Monroe Evening Times DNR grant boosts Badger State trail project Annual Covered Bridge Days to include Wildflower Festival Channel3000.com Final Stretch Of Badger State Trail Opens Bicycle Federation of Wisconsin Badger State Trail Grand Opening - Northern Section Midwest Weekends A slice of cheese country WisconsinGuides.net Badger State Trail ConnectFitchburg.com Badger St. Trail Opening Wisconsin State Journal When will the bicycle trail be completed? 9_12_2010 Midwest Weekends A slice of cheese country Channel 3 Badger Trail Nears Completion
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