Glacial River Trail: Groeler Road Boat Ramp to Jefferson

It is 10.7 miles on the paved Glacial River Trail from Groeler Road Boat Ramp to Jefferson. Along the way, the trail traverses forests, passes through Fort Atkinson, and parallels Wisconsin State Highway 26. There are changes in elevation, but no large hills to climb.

Groeler Road Boat Ramp is south of Fort Atkinson on the Rock River. There are no facilities at this parking lot. To reach the trailhead by car from Wisconsin State Highway 26, take exit 17 north on Business Highway 26. After 400 feet, turn left on Groeler Road. Drive 0.7 mile west to reach the boat launch parking lot.

From the parking area, the trail heads back east on Groeler Road, then turns north on a paved path before reaching Business Highway 26. A corridor of trees and bushes line the trail, and a forest covers the land between the trail and the Rock River to the west.

The trail passes several industries, arriving at a trailhead after one mile. It is at the junction of Farmco Lane, with a striking sculpture of a bicyclist near the trailhead. An information kiosk, covered park bench, drinking fountain, and bike rack are found there. If cyclists notice an odor in the air, this is likely due to the nearby wastewater treatment plant. Farmco Lane is reached by car from Wisconsin State Business Highway 26 (Janesville Avenue).

Continuing straight north the trail heads back into a forest, with factories and warehouses fairly visible along the way. After 0.8 mile, the trail reaches Lions Park. The tall sculpture of “Our Poet Lady” marks the park entrance. A marker along the trail conveys the story about the real “poet lady” who lived on nearby Blackhawk Island.

Lions Park has other works of art and facilities. It is located at Fort Atkinson’s city limits, and a large historical blockhouse replica there greets visitors. A covered picnic shelter, benches, and parking lot are there. It is located off Business Highway 26 (Janesville Avenue).

For the next half mile, more sculptures are noticeable from the trail as it heads north between Janesville Avenue and Jones Dairy Farm factory. Jones Dairy Farm is a family-owned business that has been in operation since 1889, and is known for premium meat products. While not open on Sundays and Mondays, Jones Market and Dairy Bar is a popular stop on the trail. The store sells their famous meats as well as sandwiches, soups, and Cedar Crest Ice Cream treats.

As the trail moves further into Fort Atkinson, it passes more sculptures and crosses Business Highway 26. Before crossing the intersection, the Fort Atkinson Rotary Depot makes a nice rest stop. Designed to imitate a railroad depot, the structure serves as a covered picnic shelter and houses a drinking fountain and bike rack.

Through Fort Atkinson’s downtown, trail signs offer directions to area businesses. The trail crosses Milwaukee Avenue and Water Street, then runs by Lorman Bicentennial Park. The park has a scenic walkway by the Rock River, picnic tables and benches, and a playground.

A large plaque recognizing donors to the Glacial River Trail is near the lighted bridge that takes trail-goers over the Rock River. The north side of the bridge has an attractive iron and brick-sculptured arch over the trail. A short distance later, the trail crosses U.S. Highway 12 (Madison Avenue). Cyclists should use care when crossing this busy intersection.

After crossing U.S. Highway 12, trail-goers may want to diverge west two blocks to visit the Frostie Freeze. This local ice cream stand offers a variety of treats including cones, shakes, malts, floats, slushies, and sundaes. It’s the perfect place to grab a snack.

At Wisconsin State Highway 89 (N. Main Street), the Glacial River Trail treks north and uphill, following a bike lane on the edge of the street for 0.7 mile. The marked route turns east onto E. Black Hawk Drive and heads downhill for a half mile. The paved path resumes northward at an intersection with Business Highway 26 (N. High Street).

The trail then crosses to the east side of N. High Street by Klement Park. The park’s only amenities are a parking lot and boat ramp, but there is a beautiful view of the Rock River.

The city of Fort Atkinson was named after General Henry Atkinson, commander of U.S. military forces who pursued Chief Black Hawk and his band of Sauk Native Americans in 1832. The city developed at the site of Fort Koshkonong, which Atkinson ordered his troops to build. A replica of the 1832 stockade is located in town, but not at the original site. After the Black Hawk War, the settlement grew with many new arrivals coming from New England.

Fort Atkinson is home to a group of prehistoric earthworks, a remnant of the Woodland Period. Effigy and geometric mounds are found here, including a 125-foot long panther mound. This special mound is the last remaining intaglio mound in Wisconsin. Many of the mounds in Wisconsin were destroyed over the years by farming or building projects; these remaining mounds should be respected.

Back on the trail, after a half mile of paralleling Business Highway 26 through the countryside, the route turns away from the road. It passes through a forest and emerges along four-lane Wisconsin State Highway 26. It runs by the highway for 2.3 miles before crossing County Road W. Just before that intersection a rest stop has a bicycle self-service station; it’s shared with mountain bikers whose trail runs by the rest stop.

After crossing the county road, the path splits. One trail leads a short distance to a trailhead at the Jefferson County Mountain Bike Park. This parking lot can be accessed by exiting Wisconsin State Highway 26 and driving north on County Road W for about 175 yards.

The other trail continues for nearly 1.5 miles between the state highway and farm fields. It turns east to enter the Crawfish River County Park. A small rest stop is located alongside the trail in the park. After 0.3 mile the trail abruptly ends at U.S. Highway 18.

Pull-out parking is available on the south side of U.S. Highway 18 where the trail begins. But better parking is available a short distance away. Cyclists may continue east along the highway across the Crawfish River, where Calvary Baptist Church or West Elementary School are located at the edge of Jefferson. Depending on the season and day of week, their parking lots may serve as a trailhead. From U.S. Highway 18, turn south onto Laatsch Lane to reach Calvary Baptist Church. After turning onto Laatsch Lane, turn east on W. Milwaukee Street to reach the school.

Jefferson’s downtown on the Rock River is a short distance from the trail’s terminus. Stable Rock Winery and Distillery is on the west side of the river, serving wines and spirits in a converted livery and stable. The “Jefferson” is their popular rum barrel-aged Cabernet Sauvignon. A few blocks away, Wedl’s Hamburger Stand and Ice Cream Parlor is a fun spot to pick up slider-style hamburgers, cheese curds, and other comfort food. It’s been in operation since 1916.

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

Waterpower on the Rock River provided the impetus to develop the city of Jefferson. It is located at the furthest place up the Rock River that steamboats could travel in 1839. Settlers from New England arrived in the area in the 1830s. A century later during World War II, a prison camp was built at the County Fairgrounds to house German POWs. Today, the city serves as the county seat for Jefferson County. It’s downtown Rotary Park offers splendid views of the Rock River.

Trail last ridden and documented in August, 2021.