The 400 State Trail:
Wisconsin
Trail Map
  • Get Personalized Driving Directions!
  • Find Trail Side Shops with Google Search!
  • See Users’ Geocoded Photos!
  • Get a Print-Friendly Map and Get Outdoors!
Description:
The 400 State Trail travels between Reedsburg and Elroy on 22.3 miles of old Chicago and North Western Railroad line. The trail's curious name has an obvious origin. It is named for the train—Number 400—that traveled 400 miles from Chicago to Minneapolis in 400 minutes.

The trail, which parallels the Baraboo River for its entire run, is really four trails in one. It connects to the Hillsboro, Elroy-Sparta and Omaha state trails for a combined total of 95 miles. With a packed limestone surface, plus 11 bridges crisscrossing the Baraboo, the 400 State Trail provides a smooth, flat riding surface. You will see many bicyclists on this trail, although snowmobiles use it in winter, and there is an adjacent 7-mile equestrian path between Lavalle and Wonewoc.

Start your ride in Reedsburg near the visitor center in the restored railroad depot. Stop here to purchase a trail pass or visit the trail's website for other ticket locations. Reedsburg is known for small-town friendliness and city convenience. There are antique shops galore and all variety of restaurants. Spending the night is easy, too, with hotels and B&Bs, plus a campground if you want to connect with the area's rich natural surroundings.

After 6 miles on the trail you arrive at Lake Redstone. To reach the lake, travel 0.5 mile off the trail itself. This mammoth manmade lake has a public rest area where you can refresh yourself and take in the gorgeous natural scenery. Continue north, traveling through the village of LaValle, where you can make a pit stop or visit one of Lavalle's local treasures; then pass Dutch Hollow Lake. The lake, clear and inviting, has a sandy beach and campground.

Wonewoc is the trail's midpoint. A campsite and public rest area make it a great place to stop and take in the wooded scenery. Next is Union Center, with another public rest area and the starting point for the 4-mile Hillsboro Trail. Stay on the 400 State Trail for about another 4 miles to its end and the start of the Elroy-Sparta and Omaha rail-trails at Elroy Commons. After 22 miles of riding, you might want to stay awhile and enjoy this quaint town's public library or museum; eat at one of the local restaurants or visit a specialty shop. You can also stay overnight and rest up for a journey on one of the other scenic rail-trails in this quiet corner of southwestern Wisconsin.

... Click to read more
Parking & Trail Access:
From Milwaukee, take 1-90 to I-94 west to Highway 23 then turn onto Highway 33, which will take you into Reedsburg. Once in Reedsburg, pass four traffic lights and make a left, then go two blocks; the trail head is on your right.
... Click to read more
... Click to read more
Reviews: [0 trail ratings]
[View all reviews for this trail]
[register/login to Submit a Review of this Trail]
good ride
By asinca in September, 2010
I rode this trail a couple of days ago. From Reedsburg to Union Center. It is really nice. It is a rail trail so it is very level and straight as a gun shot. There was a lot of rain several days before I rode. The trail was dampish (a little slow under wheel)but not soggy anywhere. No standing puddles at all. The bridge planking is rough because of all the snowmobile use in the winter but not bad. There are great towns along the way like Elroy-Sparta before WalMart ruined Sparta. Lots of small local business all very welcoming all cyclists. I saw about 30 Blue Jays while riding.
April 18 2009 on the Trail
By swell in April, 2009
After hanging out at the Wisconsin Dells Riverfest kayak races all morning, we decided to head over to Reedsburg to ride the 400 Bike Trail to LaValle and back(approx 16 miles). Usually, it's still too wet this time of year for comfortable riding, but it has been extremely dry lately, so we gave it a shot. Glad we did, it was great riding. Our old friends, a pair of nesting Eagles, were sitting on eggs in a rebuilt nest, and we found a crane nesting just 20 or so feet off the trail! We were careful not to stress her out. The first wildflowers were starting to rock out, but it's still too early for the Trilliums & such. The grocery store/butcher shop in LaValle has a nifty little ice cream shop for replenishing your energy for the trip back to Reedsburg.
Scenic and easy to ride January 23, 2009
By pbadam in January, 2009

I rode this 22 mile trail in August and October of 2008 with my scorpion Fx recumbent trike starting at the Commons in Elroy where you can also begin the Sparta-Elroy trail and the Omaha Trail to Camp Douglas. This trail is composed of crushed limestone, and easy to ride with it's perfectly flat surface. I enjoyed the views of the distant bluffs, and the x-crossing of the Baraboo River over the old wooden plank bridges. The bridge to the South of Wonewac was still out because of torrential rains we had here in early June, so this was as far as I was able to ride. It was about 12 miles from the commons to the washed out bridge. Just after crossing Hwy. 33 in Union Center you'll get to the branch of the 4 mile Hillsboro Trail which parallels Branch Creek through mostly woods, and some open meadows. Thnis trail is worth the extra miles.

I would highly recommend this trail for it's scenic beauty, and easy ride.


Dennis Adam
Sheboygan, WI
Each town on the trail has provided nice facilities. Parking, picnic tables, clean restrooms with FLUSH toilets.
Trail Facts
Trail End Points: Cedar St. (Elroy) to S. Walnut St. (Reedsburg)
Counties: Juneau, Sauk
Trail Length: 22.3 miles
Trail Category: Rail-Trail
Trail Surfaces: Crushed Stone
Trail Activities: Bike, Fishing, Wheelchair Accessible, Horseback Riding, Mountain Biking, Snowmobiling, Walking, Cross Country Skiing
TrailLink ID: 6032109

Related Links
Guidebook: Learn more about other Midwestern rail-trails in RTC's Midwestern Guidebook.