Wild Goose State Trail: Burnett to WI State Highway 49
It is 9.7 miles on the Wild Goose State Trail from Fireman’s Park in Burnett to the trailhead on Wisconsin State Highway 49. The path advances north through a rural countryside of farm fields and wetland marshes in Dodge County. A narrow corridor of hardwood trees and bushes line most of the route, offering trail-goers shade. In a few places, the landscape surrounding the path opens up to vast reed-filled marshes and hidden placid ponds. The Wild Goose State Trail skirts the western boundary of the Horicon Marsh Horicon National Wildlife Refuge, offering splendid views of wildlife and waterfowl.
The surface of the Wild Goose State Trail is compacted limestone. Throughout this section, the trail proceeds as two paths of crushed stone divided by a grassy median. Nonetheless, it is in good condition. The path advances on a fairly level grade, contributing to a comfortable bicycle ride. Caution is required by trail-goers when crossing railroad tracks and two Wisconsin state highways. Horseback riding is permitted on the trail from Burnett to Pautsch Road. This section of the trail is completely rural. The only municipality along the way is the unincorporated community of Burnett at the start of this section.
Burnett is the name of the small Dodge County community and surrounding township. The name honors Ellsworth Burnett, a government surveyor killed in the vicinity by Native Americans in November 1835. Indigenous people lived in the area for centuries. In later times, it was home to members of the Menominee, Pottawatomie, and Ho-Chunk Nations. White American and European immigrants began settling there in the mid-1840s. Today, the community of Burnett entertains visitors with three taverns, two that serve food.
Returning to the Wild Goose State Trail, Fireman’s Park in Burnett works well as a place to start or end a ride. It is situated on Main Street, 0.3 mile west of the trail. Park amenities include a picnic shelter, flush toilets, drinking water, playground, and athletic field. The small babbling Spring Brook runs through the park, creating a quaint setting. To reach the park by car, take County Highway B east from U.S. Highway 151 in Beaver Dam, and drive 5.5 miles to Wisconsin State Highway 26. Turn left (north) and go 0.6 miles to Main Street in Burnett. Turn left (west) on Main Street, and drive 175 yards to the park.
To reach the Wild Goose State Trail from Fireman’s Park, go east on Main Street toward the large grain elevators. Trail-goers should use caution when crossing Wisconsin State Highway 26. It is 0.3 miles from the park to Market Street. Coming north into Burnett, the trail follows Depot Street, turns right (east) on Main Street, and crosses the railroad tracks. It turns left (north) onto Market Street and continues north.
At the corner of Market and Main Streets are the large grain elevators of Peachey Brothers Elevator Company. Before turning left (north) on Market Street, trail-goers may want to go east a few feet to an artesian spring. Cool water flows from a four-inch pipe next a grain elevator. Artesian springs are found throughout Dodge County. Water from this one flows from the Cambrian-Ordovician (Sandstone) Aquifer. It is one of Wisconsin’s most extensive aquifers. Local residents have been drawing water from the spring for decades.
Returning to the Wild Goose State Trail, the route follows Market Street north for 175 yards. In this distance, it crosses railroad tracks running diagonally across the road. Bicyclists are advised to traverse the tracks with caution. Bicycle tires may get caught in the groove of the diagonal track and cause a crash. After crossing, the path resumes to the left (west). It turns right and heads north, bridges Spring Brook, and intersects Cross Road.
The path leaves Burnett after crossing Burnett Ditch Road, and heads north into the countryside. Over the next mile, the trail crosses Island and Main Dike Roads. All of the east-west running roads that intersect the trail carry little traffic, since they dead end to the east at the Horizon Marsh. Wisconsin State Highway 26 travels north along the west side of the Wild Goose State Trail. While highway traffic may not be seen, usually it is heard.
It is one mile from Burnett Ditch Road to Main Dike Road. This gravel road bisects Horicon Marsh, offering beautiful views of the refuge. The road is not open to vehicles, but bicyclists may want to digress from the trail and head east into the marsh. The habitat along the road includes grassy marshes, lowland forests, and open water. It’s a popular route for avid bird-watchers. Herons, egrets, and wetland songbird species are frequently spotted.
Main Dike Road traverses Stenaas Waterfowl Production Area, a critical prairie wetland environment managed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. It is a unit of Horicon National Wildlife Refuge. The preserve provides breeding, resting, and nesting habitat for waterfowl and other migratory bird. It is part of the broader Leopold Wetland Management District, which oversees thousands of acres of water production areas in southeastern Wisconsin.
A trailhead parking lot is located on the Wild Goose State Trail at the intersection with Main Dike Road. No amenities are found there, other than a large information sign. To reach the parking lot by car, drive 1.4 miles north from Burnett on Wisconsin State Highway 26, and turn right (east) on Dike Road. The trailhead is 150 feet down the road.
The Wild Goose State Trail departs Main Dike Road trailhead and travels 3.5 miles north to Sommers Road. A corridor of trees continue to line the trail as it passes by farmland and marshes. The path crosses Mill Creek in this section. It also intersects Tower, Mallard, and Pautsch Roads. The grassy equestrian path paralleling the main trail ends at Pautsch Road.
About a half mile north of Sommers Road, the Wild Goose State Trail crosses a drainage ditch and then intersects a large reed-filled marsh. The corridor of trees surrounding the path gives way to an open view of the wetlands. Waterfowl, such as heron and egrets, are usually seen in a large pond on the left (west) side of the trail. The vast marshlands extend right (east) into the Horicon Marsh. This is an ideal place to stop and enjoy the view.
The Wild Goose State Trail travels through open wetlands for about 200 yards. The line of vegetation aside the trail resumes as the route continues north for a half mile to Neitzel Road. From this intersection, it is 0.7 mile further to the Plum Creek. A free library box and bench are by the trail near the bridge over Plum Creek. This rest stop, another in Burnett, and a third at the Rock River crossing, are the only benches on this section of the trail.
It is 0.4 mile from Plum Creek to Milligan Road, and another half mile to Peachy Road. After crossing Peachy Road, the trail begins to angle to the northeast. It continues making its way through farmland. It is 0.6 mile to Shamrock Road. North of that intersection, the route gets a bit confusing. The trail’s surface turns to a grassy path. It is unclear if the route continues overland on the path or detours on Shamrock Road. Waupun Road crosses the grassy path after 0.3 miles, and a detour sign there directs trail-users heading south to use Waupun and Shamrock Roads to circumvent the grassy portion of the trail.
After crossing Waupun Road, farm fields give way to wooded wetlands. At the bridge over the South Branch of the Rock River, the scenery is stunning. Separate branches of this river begin north and west of the Horicon Marsh. Three of the branches converge there. The river travels 300 miles to the Mississippi River. The Fox and Sauk Indians called it the Sinnissippi River, or “rocky waters.” The slow moving river and lush forest provide a peaceful setting by the trail, although mosquitoes and horseflies are plentiful in summer and early fall.
From the Rock River crossing, it is nearly a mile to Wisconsin State Highway 49. In this section, the wooded trail travels along the western border of the Horicon National Wildlife Refuge. Spring and autumn seasons bring an estimated 300,000 to 500,000 birds to the Horicon Marsh. The marsh is a main stop on their migratory routes. While flocks of birds may not be seen from the trail, but they are definitely heard. Before crossing the highway, a paved spur trail on the right (east) leads into the Horicon Marsh. The trail goes to a parking area with restrooms and other hiking paths. It serves as a potential trailhead.
Returning to the Wild Goose State Trail, caution is required when traversing Wisconsin State Highway 49. There are no flashing lights to employ or a crosswalk. At the intersection, the trail moves from Dodge County into Fond du Lac County. About 350 feet north of the intersection, a spur trail to the right (east) leads to the parking lot. No other facilities are at this trailhead. To reach it by car from U.S. Highway 151 in Waupun, go east on Wisconsin State Highway 49 for two miles. The parking lot is located on the left (north) side of the road.
A large sign at the trailhead advertises nearby Marsh Haven Nature Center. It is east of the Wild Goose State Trail. A spur trail 0.2 mile further up the path on the right (east) side leads to the nature center. It is accessed by car from the state highway also. Visitors touring Marsh Haven Nature Center learn more about the history and wildlife of the Horicon Marsh.
Opposite the trailhead, on the south side of Wisconsin State Highway 49, is the entrance to the Horicon National Wildlife Refuge “TernPike” auto tour and hiking trails. The attraction is a destination for tourists, cyclists, hikers, and birdwatchers. Hiking trails and a three-mile auto tour take visitors through part of the Horicon Marsh. A floating boardwalk leading to a raised viewing station offers amazing views of the landscape and migrating waterfowl.
Map of trailheads and addresses along this section of the trail.
The section of the Wild Goose State Trail from Burnett to Wisconsin State Highway 49 is 9.7 miles long. Its level elevation and good surface condition contribute to a comfortable and pleasant excursion. This section travels completely through rural countryside, and it is not uncommon to see wildlife, songbirds, and waterfowl on a ride. The scenery is a mixture of agricultural lands, wetlands, and open marshes. The corridor of trees and bushes that line the path provide shade along the way. During warm summer months, especially on still days, trail-goers may need insect repellent to protect from mosquitos and biting flies.
Trail ridden and documented in July, 2026.