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Monticello | Belleville | Monroe | Basco| Madison | Sugar River Trail |
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Please use our sponsors and thank them for making this site possible. Food & Cheese Edelweiss Creamery - Monticello Tubing and Canoeing S & B Tubing, Canoeing, and Kayaking - Albany Bicycle Sales and Service Basic Bike Repair - New Glarus Camping Sweet Minnihaha Campground - Albany Green Co. Forestry Educational Center Inc. Golf Chalet Landhaus - Miniature Golf -New Glarus ARGUE-ment Golf Course - Belleville Lodging Gasthaus / Swiss-Aire Bike Flyer Cameo Rose Victorian Country Inn B&B - Belleville Little Sugar River Farm - Albany
Chamber of Commences 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. |
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 limited ATV use during the winter. The northern most seven miles are planned to be complete this fall. With the trail going into 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 becoming the most popular trail in the state. The trail is the old Illinois Central Railroad corridor. When construction is complete, the Badger will connect to the Southwest Path, the Military Ridge State Trail and the Capitol City Trail in Madison. The trail will be 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. 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. 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 cheese factories and two breweries, so plan on bringing part of Green County home with you.
Finally after years of waiting, construction has begun to connect the Badger Trail to other trails in Madison, WI. Pictured above, is the first section of the final 7 miles connecting to Madison. Note there are spots that still don't even have the gravel base in place yet. Perhaps the trail will be ready in time to enjoy the fall colors. Think positive!!! Construction will include an asphalt paved 10-ft. wide path for 6.1 miles from Purcell Road to Lovell Lane. When completed, the Badger Trail will connect to the Capitol City Trail allowing complete access from Madison.
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ATV Map for Village of Monticello
Summer 2010
Spring 2010
Hawk south of Monticello
Cranes south of Monticello
Summer 2009
Cranes south of the tunnel.
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Natural ice sculpture
Belleville boys check out to tunnel. |
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. 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. |
Bikers - DNR Trail Passes are required. Outlets to purchase pass | |||||||||||||||||||||
Badger Trail t-shirts can be purchased at Gempler's Supermarket in Monticello and Basic Bike Repair in New Glarus.
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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Monticello thanks you for your support during construction of Main Street. |
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Final seven miles of construction
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2010 Local Events We Hope You Consider: Green County Calendar of Events Sept. 3-5 Wilhelm Tell Festival New Glarus September 17 - 19, 2010 Green County Cheese Days Monroe 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 3rd Birthday Badger Trail - July 8, 2010 After years of anticipation, 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. 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 Belleville, Monticello, and Monroe with information about each community posted. Finally after years of anticipation, construction has begun to complete the final seven miles to Madison. When complete, bikers and hikers will be able to go from Madison to Freeport, IL 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 third 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: Midwest Weekends A slice of cheese country Channel 3 Badger Trail Nears Completion
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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
