Top 17 Wisconsin Bike Trails Near Campgrounds

For cyclists looking to camp overnight, Wisconsin offers many bike trails with nearby campgrounds. Some avid cyclists link trails together for multi-day rides, while others simply enjoy camping and day of cycling. This list includes trails are ranked according to the number of nearby campgrounds, their proximity to the trail, and facilities available.

#1 Elroy-Sparta State Trail

Journeying through west central Wisconsin’s Driftless Area, the 32.5-mile Elroy-Sparta State Trail is the nation’s oldest rail-to-trail path. It is part of a network of paths called Bike4Trails. Bicyclists may travel 101 miles on four connected trails from Reedsburg northwest to Marshland. Many avid cyclists traveling this route look for campgrounds along the way. Elroy-Sparta State Trail has several options right off the path.

There are two Wisconsin DNR campgrounds on the trail, one in Elroy and the other near Sparta. In Elroy, Thompson Memorial Park is located across Wisconsin State Highway 71 highway from the trailhead and has a DNR campground. A paved service road on the south side of the highway is gated to prevent vehicles from entering the campsites. Cyclists lift their bikes over the gate and proceed up a steep 0.2 mile road to the 13 tent campsites. Toilets and a water pump are provided. An onsite drop box allows for campsite registration.

Near Sparta, a spur trail leads to 5 campsites. The campground has restrooms, a hand pump for well drinking water, self-registration station, and information kiosk. Campsites are hike-in tent sites with a fire ring, picnic table and no vehicle access. Campers are required to make reservations online before setting up camp. No firewood is available for sale.

The villages of Wilton and Norwalk each have a local park and campround. The Wilton campground is at the end of East Street. It has 50 sites with electric hook-ups, restrooms, showers, a sanitary dump station, and water at the bathhouse. The adjoining park features a swimming pool, playground, athletic courts, ball diamond, and wi-fi.

Norwalk’s park and campground is on Mill Street, next to the trail. It has 10 sites for RVs, which come with a gravel pad, fire ring, picnic table, and electrical hook-up. Free tent camping is provided in another area of the park with no campsite amenities. The park has restrooms, pay showers, two covered picnic shelters, and a playground.

Tunnel Trail Campground is a full-service private campround located on the trail between Wilton and Kendall. It is reached by car from Wisconsin State Highway 71. There are over 50 campsites with water and electrical hook-ups for tents and RVs. Cabin rentals are also available. Amenities include restrooms, showers, a swimming pool, mini-golf course, grocery store, playground, wi-fi, game room, athletic courts and horseshoe pits, a laundry facility, and sanitary dump station. The campground also offers bike rentals for its patrons.

#2 Ahnapee State Trail: Maplewood to Algoma

There are two campgrounds located along this northeastern Wisconsin trail segment. The path from Maplewood to Algoma is 10.6 miles. Less than two miles up the trail from its end at Algoma are Ahnapee Shores Camping Resort and Timber Trail Campground. Both are easily accessible from the trail, and have ample amenities to serve trail-going campers.

Ahnapee Shores Camping Resort has 72 sites on 33 acres. It features restrooms, showers, dumping station, pool, playground, hiking trails, and recreational spaces. The campground sits next to the Ahnapee River. Timber Trail campground has sites with electricity and water, but also primitive tent camping sites. Their amenities include showers, restrooms, dumping station, pool, playground, store, laundry, and game room.

#3 Lower Yahara River Trail

South of Madison, this trail passes by William G. Lunney Lake Farm County Park. It journeys 5 miles along Lake Waukesha and through McFarland. The trail boasts the longest inland boardwalk bridge for non-motorized vehicles in North America.

The Lower Yahara River Trail directly passes by a campground at William G. Lunney Lake Farm County Park. It has 54 reservable sites, including 39 electrical hookups for RVs. The campground has restrooms, showers, wi-fi, and a sanitary dump station. A group campsite is also available at the county park, and is accessed from the trail.

#4 Capital City State Trail

Running 17 miles through Madison and Fitchburg, the paved Capital City State Trail is a popular route in southern Wisconsin. It traverses scenic countryside and urban areas. The trail connects with several other trails, including the Military Ridge State Trail and the Badger State Trail. Future plans call for expansion east to the Glacial Drumlin State Trail.

A campground is found near the Capital City State Trail’s junction with the Lower Yahara River Trail. It is part of William G. Lunney Lake Farm County Park, located on the northern shore of Lake Waubesa. It has 54 reservable sites, including 39 electrical hookups for RVs. Other facilities include restrooms, showers, wi-fi, and a sanitary dump station. A group campsite is also available at the county park.

#5 The “400” State Trail

Named for a historic train that traveled 400 miles between Chicago and Minneapolis in 400 minutes, the “400” State Trail opened in1993. The path follows part of the rail line for 22 miles from Reedsburg to Elroy. Scenes of the picturesque Baraboo River valley in west central Wisconsin are found along the route.

The “400” State Trail has two campgrounds. Baker’s Field Campground is on the north side of Wonewoc. It is an open field next to the path, used by trail-goers for tent camping. It has no amenities, and guests are asked to carry out refuse. Campsites are free. Another campground is at Schultz City Park, south of Elroy. The park serves as a fairground, and has restrooms, showers, playground, swimming pool, and athletic fields. Both tent and electric campsites are available. Fees are paid at the Elroy Commons Trail Shop.

#6 Pine Line Trail

In Northwestern Wisconsin, the Pine Line Trail heads south from Prentice to Medford. The route features scenic forests and farmland. The surface of the rugged trail is gravel, so mountain bikes are recommended. Five miles north of Medford, the surface turns to screened stone, making the ride easier.

There are two campgrounds along this 26-mile trail. Near Whittlesey, a modest campground is located at Lion’s Park. It is situated directly on the trail, and has a few sites with portable toilets. In Medford, the city park has 9 campsites with concrete slabs for RV campers. Water and electrical hookups are available, and sanitation disposal is located at the city’s wastewater treatment plant. Restrooms and showers are nearby at the public pool.

#7 Military Ridge State Trail

Traveling 40 miles through Iowa and Dane Counties in southwest Wisconsin, the Military Ridge State Trail runs along a large ridge and follows an old railroad line. Its name comes from the ridge, on which U.S. soldiers built a road in the 1830s. The trail passes through rolling countryside from Dodgeville to Madison. There, it connects with other trails to allow for an expanded biking trip.

From the trail’s intersection with County Highway Z, it is a short distance north to a spur trail that leads into Governor Dodge State Park. Two campgrounds are found there. There are 269 standard campsites in Twin Valley and Cox Hollow campgrounds. Electrical hookups are available at 80 sites. Both campgrounds have showers, restrooms buildings, dumping stations, and playgrounds.

West of Blue Mounds, a paved spur trail leads north to Blue Mounds State Park. Perched atop the highest point in southern Wisconsin, the park has spectacular views and unique geological features. Its campground has 77 wooded sites and 12 bike/hike-in sites. There’s a restroom and shower building, with pit toilets and water fountains throughout the campground. A dump station is at the campground entrance.

#8 Tomorrow River State Trail

In east central Wisconsin, the Tomorrow River State Trail journeys 30 miles from Plover to Manawa. The route traces an abandoned rail line past rolling fields, thick forests, and swampy marshes. It travels through the picturesque countryside of Portage and Waupaca counties, and the communities of Amherst Junction, Scandinavia, and Ogdensburg.

Lake Emily County Park sits about a mile west of Amherst Junction, and the trail runs next to the south campground. Between its north and south campgrounds, this well-outfitted park offers 69 campsites. All have electric hookups, except three tent sites located by the Tomorrow River State Trail. Both campgrounds have restrooms, showers, drinking water, and dump stations. The county park also features a swimming beach, boat ramp, picnic area and shelters, playground, nature trail, and ball field.

#9 Chippewa River State Trail

In northwest Wisconsin, the Chippewa River State Trail runs 30 miles through Eau Claire, Dunn, and Pepin Counties. The trail begins in Eau Claire and ends in Durand, It travels near the Chippewa River, through the small communities of Caryville, and Meridean.

Tarrant Park is located at the trail’s end in Durand. It offers a swimming pool and bathhouse, picnic shelters, playgrounds, athletic courts, and restrooms. The campground has 10 RV concrete pad sites with electric and water hookups. There also are 8 tent sites with electricity. The campground has restrooms and a dump station. Camping fees are paid at a payment drop box there.

#10 La Crosse River State Trail

The La Crosse River State Trail travels 21 miles through an unglaciated river valley in west central Wisconsin. The trail runs between Sparta and La Crosse, through beautiful forests, farmfields, and marshes. It also passes through Rockland, Bangor, and West Salem. Each community offers trail-goers a glimpse into its unique history and character.

About 1.5 mile west of West Salem, a spur trail leads north under a railroad bridge to Veterans Memorial County Park and Campground. The campground has over 100 sites with electrical hookups. Other amenities include a dump station, drinking water, firewood for sale, flush toilets and showers, and a camp store. The park has playgrounds, a fishing pond, canoe landing, walking trails, shuffleboard, and horseshoes.

#11 Great River State Trail

For 24 miles, the Great River State Trail runs along the Mississippi River in west central Wisconsin. It travels between La Crosse and Marshland through the scenic river valley. Along the way, it passes farmlands, forests, wetlands, and high bluffs. There are many opportunities for birdwatching.

North of Trempealeau, a spur trail branches off to Perrot State Park. Named for a 17th-century French fur trader, Perrot State Park is nestled among 500-foot bluffs where the Trempealeau and Mississippi Rivers meet. The spur trail leads directly to a campground with 102 sites (47 with electric hookups). Amenities include drinking water, flush toilets, showers, and a dump station.

#12 Old Abe State Trail

In northwestern Wisconsin, the Old Abe State Trail begins in Cornell at Brunet Island State Park, and follows the Chippewa River to Eau Claire. This 37-mile trail follows an old route of the Chicago and Northwestern Railroad. The path traverses forests and farmland, passing through Chippewa Falls. The trail’s name commemorates “Old Abe,” a bald eagle used as a mascot by soldiers of the 8th Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry Regiment during the Civil War.

There are two campgrounds at Brunet Island State Park. The South Campground has 24 sites with electricity, and a shower building with flush toilets. The North Campground has no electric service, but many of its 45 campsites are on the shore of the Chippewa River and its inlets. This campground has pit toilets. Drinking water is available at both campgrounds.

#13 Hiawatha State Trail: Heafford Junction to Tomahawk

In north central Wisconsin, the Bearskin-Hiawatha State Trail travels south from Minocqua to Tomahawk. The 32-mile route passes beautiful pine forests, clear lakes, and wetland marshes. The trail is named for Bearskin Creek that runs adjacent to much of the trail, and The Hiawatha, the old streamliner train whose line the trail now follows.

The Hiawatha Trail is the southern section of the route. It ends in Tomahawk by SARA Park. The city park is on the banks of the Wisconsin River on the north side of the city. Amenities include a public boat landing, swimming beach, ball diamonds, ice arena, dog park, picnic area, and restrooms. The campground has 10 sites on the banks of the Wisconsin River. Each one has electric and water hookups. There are also restrooms with showers.

#14 Wild Goose State Trail: WI State Highway 60 to Burnett

In east central Wisconsin, the Wild Goose State Trail passes through Dodge and Fond du Lac Counties. It begins at Wisconsin State Highway 60 near Clyman and travels 34 miles to Fond du Lac. The route follows an abandoned railroad line, making its way through farmland and low marshes, bordering the Horicon National Wildlife Refuge.

In Juneau, the trail passes through quaint Wild Goose Park. This city park has athletic fields, playgrounds, and picnic tables. The covered shelter has restrooms and drinking water. There are 8 campsites for tents and RV campers under 18 feet. Campsites do not have electric or water hookups, but campfire rings and cooking grills are provided. Camping fees are paid at a self-service station there.

#15 Bugline Trail: Sussex to Menominee Falls

The Bugline Trail journeys east from North Lake for 16 miles to Menominee Falls. The Waukesha County trail is paved and in excellent condition. While the scenery to the west is more rural, the eastern segment is suburban. However, most of the route travels through forests or is bordered by trees and bushes, providing for a secluded ride.

Between Sussex and Lannon, a spur trail leads to Menominee Park. Facilites include a pavilion and concession stand (with a summer beer garden), picnic areas, dog exercise areas, swimming beach, playgrounds, volleyball courts, archery range, and nature trails. For Bugline Trail users, the park has bike racks, an informational kiosk, and a self-service bicycle repair station. There are 30 family camping sites at the park. Drinking water is located near the pit toilets. Each site has a fire ring and picnic table. None have electric hook-ups. The park charges for a daily park permit in addition to camping fees.

#16 Rountree Branch Trail: Platteville

The Rountree Branch Trail runs for 2.7 miles in Platteville. It connects to the Mounds View Sttae Trail and continues east to Belmont another 7 miles. In Platteville, Mounds View Park and Campground is accessed by taking a spur trail north from Rountree Branch Trail. The Prairie View Trail goes north for a half mile to the park and campround.

Mounds View Park and Campground has 15 campsites, all reservable online. A self-service pay station is located by the restrooms and showers. Campsites one through seven are tent sites, eight through fifteen are for recreational vehicles. Sites have electric and water hook-ups. There also is a sanitary dump station.

#17 Sugar River State Trail

In southwestern Wisconsin, the Sugar River State Trail travels 23.5 miles from New Glarus to Brodhead. The trail takes its name from the nearby Sugar and Little Sugar Rivers. It traverses gently rolling hills and meadows, as well as farmland and river bottoms. Along its route, the trail passes through Monticello and Albany.

Near the start of the Sugar River State Trail in New Glarus, a paved 1.5 mile spur trail heads south next to Wisconsin State Highway 69, to New Glarus Woods State Park. The park has a small, primitive campground with 18 drive-in campsites for tent and small RV campers. There also are 14 “walk-in” sites, solely for tent camping. The campground has drinking water and pit toilets, but no sanitary dump station.