Pheasant Branch Conservancy

Running through both Middleton and Springfield, Pheasant Branch Conservancy is a delightful place for cycling. The route takes bicyclists on a tour of creek bottoms, wetlands, and grassy prairies. The conservancy lands are surrounded by urban development, but flora and fauna abound in this natural area. Deer and small animals are often seen, including eagles, sandhill cranes, songbirds, and waterfowl.

Many splendid views are enjoyed from the trail, and interpretative markers share the area’s story. Benches and self-service bicycle repair stations are found at key locations. There are limited restrooms and drinking water, so trail-goers should plan accordingly.

City parks and other trailheads offer cyclists several options to reach the path. This trail system sees heavy traffic, even on weekdays. Given the number of pedestrians on the trail, bicyclists should exercise caution, limit speed, and verbally announce their presence when passing. There is no fee to use the trails in the Pheasant Branch Conservancy.

Bicyclists wanting to maximize their ride may begin at Middleton’s Ed Tallard Park. The park is on the north side of Airport Road, 1.4 miles west of U.S. Highway 12. It has a conservancy with walking trails, a portable toilet, and parking lot. Middleton’s North Fork Trail begins at the parking lot. It travels east 2 miles before joining the Pheasant Branch Corridor Trail.

As the paved North Fork Trail heads east, it enters Penni Klein Park. This community park is home to soccer fields, a baseball field, dog park, and large parking lot. It’s a half mile ride from Ed Tallard Park, through Penni Klein Park, to an underpass under Airport Road.

North Fork Trail next heads southeast through Middleton Firefighters Memorial Park with its baseball diamonds, playground, and parking lot. The park is managed by a non-profit fire company. From the Airport Road underpass, the path journeys 0.6 mile through grassy wetlands to a junction in the trail with an information kiosk.

The kiosk reminds trail-goers that they are traveling next to Pheasant Branch Creek, which had its meandering course restored along with surrounding native vegetation. Before the 1840s, this watershed was a huge marsh, home to animals including elk and bison. The people of the Ho-Chunk Nation lived here until their removal in the 1830s. White American settlers converted the marshes into farmland, and later into industrial spaces.

North Folk Trail turns left (east) and passes by business and aside Pheasant Branch. The creek runs through a long confluence pond filled with grass and lily pads. Where the trail turns south, a small shack offers views of the pond and its waterfowl. The trail passes under Deming Way, adjacent to Pheasant Branch. The U.S. Highway 12 Trail then joins the North Fork Trail from the north. This path runs north alongside its namesake for several miles.

North Fork Trail next crosses Pheasant Creek and meets Pheasant Branch Corridor Trail. Maps are posted at all trail intersections, and a self-service bicycle repair station is located at this one. Turning right (west) leads to the end of the path after 0.7 mile. Going left (east) takes trail-goers 0.3 mile under U.S. Highway 12 and Parmenter Steet to begin descending into the creek’s picturesque valley. Two spur trails give access to Parmenter Street.

While the North Fork Trail surface is bumpy, the Pheasant Branch Corridor Trail is in excellent condition. In summer of 2018, heavy rains and flooding damaged much of the path. The creek’s high sandy banks eroded, and trail bridges and pavement were washed out. New bridges have been installed, and the trail restored.

Over the next 1.5 miles, Pheasant Branch Corridor Trail travels through a remarkable wooded landscape. The creek banks rise 30 feet, creating an attractive, secluded valley. The path crosses the winding creek a dozen times in this section. At each bridge, a separate paved path leads down to the edge of the babbling brook. Benches beckon trail-goers to pause and enjoy the dale’s scenic beauty.

Halfway through this section, Pheasant Branch Corridor Trail crosses Park Street. Trail-goers are advised to use the flashing crossing lights here. Yellow center lines on the path’s surface also offer safety. Cyclists should ride on the right side of the path, and pass on the left. In this 1.5 mile section, the trail elevation drops about 25 feet.

The Pheasant Branch Corridor Trail ends at County Highway M (Century Avenue). At that intersection, the route turns right (east), and travels 200 feet next to the road and over Pheasant Branch. A stoplight provides safe passage across the road to the left (north) and back into the Pheasant Branch Conservancy.

Going left (west) on Century Avenue leads to the Stamm House. This restaurant is housed in an old store built in 1847. By 1852, it had become a hotel named “The Pheasant Branch Hotel.” In 1910, it became a dance hall. After 1925, the building was bought by Heine Fuller, who associated it with the German word “stammtisch” (meaning regular table). Since then, it has served as a supper club, offering innovative American fare and cocktails.

A self-service bicycle repair station is located by the trail at the entrance to the conservancy north of County Highway M. An interpretive kiosk there provides interesting insights into the area’s water ecology, history, and the conservancy friends group.

In this section, the surface of the 3.8 mile circular trail is crushed stone. The trail is often narrow. In low areas, the route travels on wooden boardwalks. Several spur trails lead off to neighborhoods. There are also hiking trails, and bicycles are not permitted on them. At these trailheads, cyclists may lock their bikes to racks before venturing off on a walking path.

At the information kiosk, trail-goers should proceed left (west) on the crushed stone path. It travels next to Pheasant Branch through a forest of cottonwood and other hardwood trees. The vegetation is thick here. After 0.4 mile, the trail turns left (west) and crosses Pheasant Branch, It the intersection, the route curves back to the right (north). The trail going left (south) leads to a neighborhood.

The trail emerges out of the creek’s lowlands to run along a low rising bluff. About 175 yards after crossing the bridge, a spur trail heads higher up the hill to the left (west). This ascending path leads to a trailhead at 3649 Pheasant Branch Road. It has a parking lot and information kiosk. The main trail maintains its lower, level gradient, and by-passes the trailhead. It still offers stunning views of the conservancy’s wetlands to the left (east).

From the bridge, it is a half mile ride to a trailhead at 3829 Pheasant Branch Road. This is not the one previously mentioned, but located on the same road. This second trailhead has a picnic table, benches, bike rack, self-service bicycle repair station, and small parking lot. The “high” trail rejoins the main path here.

It is a half mile from this trailhead to a third one, further north at 4865 Pheasant Branch Road. In this area, the trail runs next to the road and crosses a sedge meadow on a wooden boardwalk. An interpretive marker describes sedge meadows, and how they have been restored in the area. Afterwards, the path rises up and enters an open native prairie, filled with wildflowers during summer months.

To access the third trailhead, turn left (west) at the next trail intersection. Here, a small historical marker tells how Black Hawk and his band of fleeing Fox and Sauk Indians camped nearby in 1832. Trying to elude federal U.S. troops and state militia, this group journeyed 400 miles through Illinois and Wisconsin.

From the third trailhead, it is a short distance east through the open, remnant prairie to another kiosk. This one describes the area’s landscape when the Ho-Chunk nation lived here, and shares the impact of white settlement on the land. It also explains how Dane County’s Parks Department manages the conservancy, and a friends group provides support, maintenance, and educational opportunities.

Further down the path is Frederick’s Hill, which towers over the trail and wetlands below. While it is a popular place to explore, bicycles are not allowed on the hill’s trails. It’s worth climbing the knoll, to view protected Native American burial mounds in this sacred space. The hilltop offers a commanding view of the surrounding landscape.

At the base of Frederick’s Hill is another natural attraction, Frederick Spring. Cyclists may leave their bikes at the main trail and walk down the hill to view this natural spring. A clear stream of water bubbles out of the sandy ground, forming a little creek that heads south into the marsh to join Pheasant Branch. It is fascinating to watch the soil on the creek bed seemingly boil up due to the emerging spring water below.

From the third trailhead, it’s a 0.4 mile ride through a vast open prairie to Frederick’s Hill and Spring. It’s another half mile from these natural features to Orchard Heights Park. In that section, the trail passes by another information kiosk, travels through a willow grove, and arrives at the park. Human activity around the park, indicates one’s arrival there.

Orchard Heights Park may serve as a trailhead. It has a parking lot, picnic shelter, flush toilets, and self-service bicycle station. Athletic fields, playground, and tennis courts are also there. Access the park by car from County Highway Q in Middleton. Turn west on Indigo Way and go a short distance. Then, turn left (south) onto Sandhill Drive. Drive 0.2 mile and turn left (south) onto Park Trail. The road enters the park.

The path returns to open prairie after leaving the park. The vast prairie on the north side of the conservancy is filled with beautiful wildflowers in warm weather months. Trail-goers should bear left (west). Spur trails in the other direction lead to neighborhoods. One path runs uphill to a water tower and the John C. Bock Community Forest. The path journeys the next 0.8 mile along a wooded hill on the eastern side of the conservancy.

After crossing the spring-fed stream, the main trail continues on a wooden boardwalk for nearly 0.3 mile. A bike rack is available at a hiking trail junction that leads right (north) to Saban’s Viewpoint. There is an outstanding vista of the flowing waters of Frederick Spring, with Frederick’s Hill rising from the wetlands in the distance.

The main trail next rejoins the original path that journeys alongside Pheasant Creek. This section of the path was previously traveled. Turning left (south) takes trail-goers back toward the path’s intersection with County Highway M (Century Avenue), and eventually to the route’s starting point at Ed Tallard Park.

All three of the trailheads on the west side of Pheasant Branch Conservancy may be accessed by car from Pheasant Branch Road in Middleton. By car, turn north on Frank Lloyd Wright Avenue from County Highway M (Century Avenue). At the “Y” in the road, turn right (east) onto Pheasant Branch Road.

Driving north on Pheasant Branch Road, travel 0.7 mile to the first trailhead. The second one is another 0.2 mile to the north. The third trailhead is a further 0.4 mile north. This is where the historical marker about Blackhawk’s encampment is located. All trailheads are located on Pheasant Branch Road and have limited amenities.

Middleton offers much to Pheasant Branch Conservancy visitors, including restaurants and hotels. Some are located directly off the path at Pheasant Creek Corridor Trail’s western terminus. The Stamm House also offers an enjoyable experience in a historic setting.

Middleton has an interesting history. This area had long been home to the Ho-Chunk Nation. A trading post was established on the western shore of Lake Mendota in 1832. Throughout the 1840s, white Americans and European immigrants began settling in the Pheasant Creek watershed. The emerging community was called Peatville, due to the amount of peat pulled from the soil. The community was renamed Middleton in 1848.

The transportation of wheat was another industry that led to Middleton’s development. The arrival of the railroad in 1856 brought the construction of large grain elevators for storing wheat before being shipped out. Dairying replaced wheat at the end of the 19th century. Today, “The Good Neighbor City” specializes in retailing, manufacturing, and technology.

^{Map of trailheads and addresses along this section of the trail.}

It a short bike ride from Ed Tallard Park, through the Pheasant Branch Corridor, and around its conservancy. Yet, the landscape is packed with picturesque views that force trail-goers to pause and enjoy the scenery. The path also offers a splendid education of the area’s human and natural history. The trails of Pheasant Branch Corridor and Conservancy are a wonderful asset of Middleton and Springfield.

Trail last ridden and documented in July, 2025.