Glacial Drumlin State Trail: Cottage Grove to Lake Mills
It is a 14-mile ride on the Glacial Drumlin State Trail from the trailhead in Cottage Grove to Korth Park in Lake Mills. The scenery along the route is diverse. Rolling farmland envelopes much of the countryside, but the trail also runs through marshes and forested swamps.
The hilly landscape is filled with unique-looking drumlins. These elongated hills of sediment were created by glacial flow thousands of years ago. Fortunately, cyclists don’t have to climb any drumlins, as the trail follows the slightly down-hill grade of a historic railroad track.
The trailhead in Cottage Grove is in the center of the village. From Interstate Highway 94, take exit 244. Drive south on County Highway N for 2.5 miles. Turn left (east) at the marked trailhead. From U.S. Highways 12-18, take exit 272 and drive north 3 miles to the trailhead.
Ample parking is at the trailhead. There are restrooms, information kiosk, self-registration station, and picnic tables. Nearby restaurants cater to trail-goers. The Olde Town Coffee House is directly adjacent to the trailhead parking lot. Open until 2 pm, specialty coffee, pastries, breakfast, and lunch are served. They also have a pleasant outdoor patio.
Cottage Grove incorporated as a village in 1924. It was named for a grove of burr oak trees where William Wells, an early settler, built a cottage. William Taylor, another resident who moved to Cottage Grove in 1848, became Wisconsin’s 12th governor in 1874. The community grew in 1880 when the Chicago & Northwestern Railroad built a line through town.
Heading west on the Glacial Drumlin State Trail, the paved surface makes for easy riding. There is a small hill to climb and descend. The pavement then turns to crushed limestone. Generally, the trail’s surface is in good condition.
After crossing Heather Drive, the trail quickly departs Cottage Grove. Since the trail is well-used on weekends, the traffic for the first five miles is often heavier on those days. Exercise caution when passing pedestrians and navigating near other cyclists.
For 1.3 miles from Heather Drive to Uphoff Road, the Glacial Drumlin State Trail passes through marshland with farms in the distance. A corridor of trees along the path provides shade. Near the trail’s intersection with Uphoff Road, the landscape becomes forested, and Koshkonong Creek runs in the midst of this wooded lowland. The winding creek crosses the trail four more times, before heading south to empty into the large lake of the same name.
As the trail continues east, signs of glacial activity are noticeable. Amidst the southwestwardly-pointed drumlins are low marshy areas with ponds and small lakes. In May and June, cyclists hear spring peeper frogs in these wet areas. The kettles (depressions of land) were formed from chunks of retreating glacier that broke off and melted. The fertile glacial land surrounding the ponds and marshes is now farmed, after dikes and drainage canals were used to dry the land.
Before the intersection with Oak Park Road, an interpretive marker is to the right. It describes various prairie plants that grow on the higher, dry prairies of southern Wisconsin.
It is 1.8 miles from Oak Park Road to downtown Deerfield. This village has roots in the late 1830s and 1840s, when Norwegian immigrants settled in the area. They first settled at what is now the intersection of Wisconsin State Highway 73 and County Highway BB. After the railway was built in 1880 just 2 miles south, the residents moved to that current location.
A trailhead is found where the Glacial Drumlin State Trail intersects Main Street in Deerfield. It contains a parking lot, restrooms, covered picnic shelter, information kiosk, and self-registration station. On weekends, a sandwich board at the trailhead advertises local establishments where trail-goers may purchase food, beverages, and ice cream treats. Just two blocks north of the trail is the Deerfield Coffeehouse. It serves a wide variety of coffee beverages and other drinks, as well as different breakfast menu items. It’s a great place to stop for an ice cream cone too!
The trailhead in Deerfield is reached from Interstate Highway 94 by turning south onto Wisconsin State Highway 73 (exit 250) and driving 3.8 miles to the parking lot. It is 2 miles north to the trailhead on Wisconsin State Highway 73 from U.S. Highways 12-18.
Deerfield has a lovely community park on its east side, which also serves as a rest area. It is only 0.5 miles on the trail from the Main Street trailhead to the community park. The park has athletic fields, a covered picnic area, restrooms, dog park, playground, and disc golf course. It is located at 200 S. Industrial Park Road.
East of Deerfield, the trail crosses Mud Creek. Three miles east of Deerfield is the next town of London. It is located on the boundary of Dane and Jefferson Counties. The little hamlet’s origin dates to the advent of the Chicago & Northwestern Railroad in 1880. A small trailhead with parking lot is found off Depot Road.
The Glacial Drumlin State Trail runs for 10 miles through Dane County. Departing London, the trail enters Jefferson County and crosses Koshkonong Creek for the last time. After one mile, the forests disappear, and a vast marsh opens up. This is the west unit of Lake Mills Wildlife Area, also known as Zeloski or London Marsh.
The large wetland restoration project includes nearly 2,000 acres. It offers habitat for waterfowl, shorebirds, and plants and animals. The land ranges from wet marshes to drier prairies. Access lanes seen from the trail are used for land management and recreation.
The Glacial Drumlin State Trail bisects the marsh for 2 miles. Waterfowl may be viewed easily from the trail as it runs along a high dike. At one point, the trail detours to the south. Remnants of an old trail bridge are seen to the left. Instead of repairing the structure, it seems the easiest solution was re-routing the trail.
Two interpretive markers are found on the trail in Zeloski Marsh. One tells of the “Fighting Finches,” a bandit family that hid out on an island in the marsh. In 1832, the bandits hid there after robbing a stagecoach. The marker reveals the hide-out’s location, and the high ground is still noticeable today. The second marker conveys the history of muck farming during the 1900s. This agricultural practice changed the marsh and its entire ecosystem.
A small trailhead is east of the marsh on Finch Brothers Road, off County Highway S. It serves the Glacial Drumlin State Trail as well as hikers in the wildlife area. It contains a bike rack, information kiosk, and parking lot.
Passing through a large culvert, the trail goes under County Highway S. A short distance further east, a small pond aside the trail serves as a hunting dog training site. After 0.6 mile from County Highway S, a spur trail on the left leads up a hill to Korth County Park.
At this point, trail-goers have a choice of routes. They may continue on the Glacial Drumlin State Trail another 1.5 miles to the trailhead in Lake Mills. Another option is climbing the hill on the spur trail to Korth County Park. It is 0.3 miles uphill to the Elm Point Road parking area. This southern unit of the park has pit toilets, a covered picnic shelter, information kiosk, and hiking trails. Bikers may continue on the spur trail another 0.6 mile to the north unit. This larger unit sits on top of a drumlin and looks over Rock Lake. It has a covered picnic shelter, a playground, benches and grills, and interpretive signs.
The two entrances to Korth County Park are on Korth Lane (north unit) and Elm Point Road (south unit). The entrances are located off County Highway S. From Interstate Highway 94, take exit 259 and travel south on Wisconsin State Highway 89 into Lake Mills. Turn right (west) on County Highway V, right (north) on County Highway B, and left (south) onto County Highway S. It is 4.4 miles from the interstate to the park entrance.
It is also 4.4 miles from U.S. Highways 12-18 to the park entrance. Head north on County Highway A and turn left (north) on County Highway S, where the park entrance is located.
Situated on the shores of Rock Lake, Lake Mills received its name due to the number of nearby sawmills. Lake Mills first building was constructed in 1837. It was incorporated in 1852. The village changed its name to “Tyranena” in 1866, but changed it back again to “Lake Mills” the next year. Tyranena is supposedly an indigenous name meaning “sparkling waters.” Lake Mills grew in size when the railroad was built through the village.
Map of trailheads and addresses along this section of the trail.
Lake Mills has several parks on Rock Lake that offer boating and picnic amenities. A few of the parks have sandy beaches. Consider visiting Commons Park in the downtown area. The shady triangular “town square” has a gazebo, benches, and picnic.
Bicyclists interested in libations should visit Tyranena Brewing Company and Lewis Station Winery. Tyranena Brewing Company has a lovely outdoor beer garden where their craft beers may be enjoyed. Lewis Station is located in downtown Lake Mills, and is known for its low sulfite wines made with minimal additives.
Trail last ridden and documented in May, 2021.