Wild Goose State Trail
The Wild Goose State Trail journeys 34.5 miles through the rural countryside of east central Wisconsin. It begins at Wisconsin State Highway 60 near Clyman and ends in Fond du Lac. The path is a “Rails-to-Trails” project. Its route follows an abandoned Chicago and Northwestern Railroad line. The Wild Goose State Trail is maintained and operated by the Wisconsin DNR, Dodge County, and Fond du Lac County. This management venture makes the Wild Goose State Trail the first “cooperative” trail in the state.
The trail’s route dates back to the mid-1850s. The Chicago, St. Paul, and Fond du Lac Railroad constructed the line that took trains from Chicago, through Janesville and Fond du Lac, to Michigan’s Upper Peninsula. After declaring bankruptcy during the Panic of 1857, the railroad was reorganized and purchased in 1859. It formed the the core of the newly established Chicago and North Western Railway (C&NW). The line operated for decades, but eventually became unprofitable. The C&NW abandoned the line in the 1960s, and it was later purchased by the DNR. The corridor was opened as a recreational trail in 1986.
The Wild Goose State Trail offers views of spectacular scenery, as it journeys through farmland, hardwood forests, prairies, and wetlands. A highlight of the trail is the section that skirts the western edge of the Horicon Marsh National Wildlife Refuge. It is common to see migrating waterfowl here during the spring and autumn seasons. At those times, the 32,000-acre refuge hosts massive flocks of Canada geese and over 250 other bird species.
Other areas of natural and historical interest are located by the Wild Goose State Trail. Nitschke Mounds County Park borders the trail and contains numerous effigy mounds. Marsh Haven Nature Center invites visitors to explore the varied habitats of the Horicon Marsh. The Wild Goose State Trail passes through Oakfield Railroad Prairie State Natural Area, and travels near several waterfowl production areas. South of Wisconsin State Highway 49, the trail crosses Rock River, a well-known and significant waterway.
The Wild Goose State Trail passes through the communities of Juneau, Minnesota Junction, Burnett, Oakfield, and Fond du Lac. The trail’s surface is crushed limestone, in very good condition. Segments in Juneau and Fond du Lac are paved. When heading north, the elevation slowly descends. A 14-mile pathway for horseback riding parallels the main trail in Dodge County, between Wisconsin State Highway 60 and Pautsch Road.
There are several trailheads and community parks on the Wild Goose State Trail. In Dodge County, the southern trailhead is situated on Wisconsin State Highway 60. It is 1.5 miles east of Wisconsin State Highway 26. Another trailhead is at the intersection of Wisconsin State Highways 26 and 33, north of Juneau. A third one is in Minnesota Junction, and a fourth one is located at the intersection of County Highway E. Fireman’s Park in Burnett and Juneau’s Wild Goose Park also serve as trailheads and offer additional amenities.
In Fond du Lac County, trailheads are located on Wisconsin State Highway 49, Oak Center Road, and Elm Street in Oakfield. There are several parking options in the city of Fond du Lac. One location is a trailside park and ride lot on Rolling Meadows Drive. Nearby is a Loves Travel Stop. After crossing Interstate Highway 41, a Kwik Trip convenience store on S. Hickory Street serves as another place to access the trail in Fond du Lac. The path ends on Pioneer Drive, but bicyclists may continue their ride on the nearby Fond du Lac Loop.
The usage fee for the Wild Goose State Trail is $5 daily. A $25 annual pass offers access to all state trails for the calendar year. Passes may be purchased online, at individual properties, or from DNR service centers. Motorized vehicles are not permitted on the trail. Users should obey all posted signs. In Dodge County, equestrians use a grassy path next to the main trail. But bicyclists should still use caution when meeting horseback riders.
It is a pleasant bike ride on the Wild Goose State Trail. The path offers a chance to explore the scenic countryside surrounding the Horicon Marsh. A ride during spring and autumn seasons especially provides unique opportunities for wildlife and waterfowl viewing, when large numbers of migratory birds make rest stops in the Horicon Marsh. But a ride during summer months is still enjoyable and impressive.
Route Descriptions