Mascoutin Valley State Trail
The Mascoutin Valley State Trail is composed of two separate trails that travel through east central Wisconsin. The paths journey through fertile farm country, open prairies, and low wetlands. Wildlife and waterfowl are often seen from the trail, especially in autumn. The trails are a birder’s delight, with Eldorado Marsh Wildlife Area in Fond du Lac County and Rush Lake Marsh in Winnebago County offering expansive views of avian habitat.
The two trails follow historic railroad lines, and were created through the “Rails to Trails” program that transforms abandoned railway corridors into recreational trails. The trails are maintained by Fond du Lac, Winnebago, and Green Lake Counties in conjunction with the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources. Both paths are fairly level and straight, offering a pleasant ride. Together, their total distance is 21 miles.
The path names honor the ancient Mascoutin nation. Known as the “Fire Nation,” and “Little Prairie People,” they lived in this area in the mid to late 1600s. The Algonquin-speaking tribe had moved west to the area that became Wisconsin to escape attacks from the Iroquois Confederation and other warring tribes. By the time of the Fox Wars in the early 1700s, they had mixed with the Kickapoo, Mesquaki (Fox), and Sauk nations. They eventually moved out of the state. The final mention of them in Wisconsin was in the 1780s.
Today on the historic lands of this ancient tribe, the Mascoutin Valley State Trail journeys through the countryside. Trail-goers see farmland, hardwood forests, meadows and prairies, and vast wetlands filled with reeds and cattails. The trail’s surface is crushed limestone. In most places it is in very good condition, with a few areas of grass and gravel.
The eastern trail covers nearly ten miles from Rosendale to Fond du Lac. It follows the route of an abandoned Chicago and Northwestern Railroad line. Fond du Lac County maintains this trail segment. It begins in Rosendale, on the north side of the village on Wisconsin State Highway 26. The trail ends in Fond du Lac, on Rolling Meadows Drive.
The western Mascoutin Valley State Trail follows the old line of the Chicago, Milwaukee, St. Paul, and Pacific Railroad. This railroad company was also known as “The Milwaukee Road.” The trail begins in Ripon, on the north side at County Road E (Eureka Street). It ends in Berlin at Wisconsin State Highway 49 (S. Church Street). It runs slightly over 11 miles through Fond du Lac, Winnebago, and Green Lake Counties.
Horseback riding is permitted on the western section of the Mascoutin Valley State Trail in Fond du Lac and Winnebago Counties. Equestrians have full access to the trail, but a narrow grassy strip next to the path is frequently used. Cyclists should obey all posted rules, and yield to horseback riders. Trailheads and park benches are found along the two trails. Even though it is a state trail, there is no access fee.
Route Descriptions