Badger State Trail: Monroe to Orangeville
It’s a pleasant ride on the Badger State Trail from Monroe to the Wisconsin-Illinois state line. The ride is 8.2 miles long and mostly downhill, dropping approximately 250 feet in elevation over that distance. The surface of the path is crushed limestone, in good condition.
There is no trailhead at the end of the Badger State Trail, but many bicyclists continue their ride south for another 2.5 miles on the Jane Addams Trail to Orangeville, Illinois. The Jane Addams picks up where the Badger State Trail ends. It travels 17 miles to the city of Freeport. The 10.7-mile ride from Monroe to Orangeville travels through apicturesque countryside of agricultural lands, hardwood forests, rolling hills, and scenic meadows.
Before or after a ride on the Badger State Trail, visitors may want to explore Monroe’s many attractions. The quaint city is known as “the Swiss Cheese Capital of the USA.” Its scenic town square is home to the Green County courthouse, local businesses, and restaurants.
On the square, Baumgartner’s Cheese Store and Tavern provides an authentic Swiss-Wisconsin dining experience. Their menu includes local beer, tasty cheese soup, and sandwiches. Cheese connoisseurs might try the pungent Limburger or Brick cheese sandwiches. Baumgartner’s also sells regional cheese from their deli counter.
Minhas Craft Brewery and Distillery, another Monroe attraction, features microbrews and ardent spirits. Their factory tour ends with a sampling of their products. The Swiss Colony outlet store (also in Monroe) is a local gem where the public can purchase discounted cheese and desserts produced by this long-established company headquartered in Monroe.
Turner Hall, just off the city square, is the oldest active Turner Hall of Swiss origin in the nation. It houses the old-world Ratskeller restaurant, featuring traditional Swiss and Wisconsin fare. Dancing is offered every Sunday afternoon at the hall.
Returning to the Badger State Trail, there are two parking lots that serve as trailheads in Monroe. They are both located off 14th Avenue and conveniently set next to the trail. One is a relatively hidden parking lot on the east side of 14th Avenue, and tucked behind the Bike Haus. This bike shop sells bicycles and provides repairs. The second parking lot is on the west side of 14th Avenue in Twining Park. It is located off Park Drive.
The two Monroe trailhead are accessed by car from Wisconsin State Highway 11. From there, take Wisconsin State Highway 69 south into Monroe. This road becomes 18th Avenue. Drive 0.3 mile, and turn right (west) onto Mansion Drive. After 0.2 mile, turn left (south) onto 14th Avenue. After crossing the trail, turn left (east) by the Bike Haus or right (west) on Park Drive into Twining Park. The trail parking lots are on both sides of the road.
At the trail’s intersection with 14th Avenue are other amenities. On the east side of the road there is a building with flush toilets, drinking water, and sheltered picnic tables. An information kiosk and picnic table are found on the west side of 14th Avenue. Nearby Twining Park has several covered picnic pavilions, playgrounds, athletic courts and fields, disc golf course, walking trails, splash pad, and more.
After departing the trailhead and crossing 14th Avenue, the trail goes southwest, skirting the southern border of Twinning Park. Along the way, it crosses a path leading into the park. After a half mile, the trails arrives at 8th Street. It crosses this busy road on a trestle bridge.
Caution is required to cross the four lanes of Wisconsin State Highway 69 (7th Avenue). While signs and crosswalks are provided, there are no self-employed flasshing lights to encourage vehicles to stop for trail-goers. The highway carries a lot of traffic.
The Badger State Trail next crosses a branch of Honey Creek and goes by a large factory belonging to Saputo Cheese USA Inc. and under a Wisconsin State Highway 69 overpass. Over the next mile, the trail crosses 17th Street, passes under a railroad bridge, crosses 21st Street, and passes under the overpass of Wisconsin State Highway 69. While the route in this section is wood, the last overpass marks the departure from Monroe.
The Badger State Trail journeys through a countryside of farmland, forests, and meadows as it moves toward the Illinois border. In most places, a wide corridor of trees and bushes keeps the trail shaded and cool during summer months. The elevation slowly descends throughout this section, which makes for relaxing biking. The grade occasionally cuts through hills, revealing rising sides of earth or rock. In other places, the trail towers high over deep ravines. Far to the east, the valley of Little Richard Creek parallels the trail.
It is 4.8 miles from the Wisconsin State highway 69 overpass on the southern edge of Monroe to the community of Clarno. Along the way, the trail crosses Melvin Road, Town Center Road, Advance Road, and Shueyville Road. It also crosses three different branches of Little Richard Creek. At Clarno, the Badger State Trail crosses County Highway P. No trailhead is located there, but the parking lot of Clarno Lumber and Supply Co Inc. may be used only during non-business hours. The small community may be reached by car from Wisconsin State Highway 69 by turning east onto County Highway P and driving 0.8 mile.
Clarno Township and the unicorportated community takes their name from Andrew Clarno. He was a pioneer settler who explored the area in 1827, established a farm around 1829, and returned with his family to permanently settle the land in 1832, in the midst of the Black Hawk War. He served in the local militia during those turbulent summer months.
It is one mile from Clarno to the state line. The path follows near Little Richard Creek and passes by some rocky outcroppings. Near the trail’s end is an information kiosk, picnic table, and Badger State Trail welcome sign. The trail officially ends at Wuetrich/State Line Road. Only roadside parking is available there, and it is not recommended.
Most bicyclists continue their ride for another 2.5 miles on the Jane Addams Trail to the village of Orangeville in Illinois. The route follows near the Little Richard Creek and travels through a landscape of farm fields and meadows. The corridor of hardwood trees and bushes continue toprovide shade to trail-goers. Along the 2.5 miles, the Jane Addams Trail crosses a branch of Little Richard Creek and Illinois Route 26.
In Orangeville is the Richland Creek Trailhead. A spur trail leads off from the main path to the right (west). The trailhead has park benches, toilets, and a covered picnic shelter. To reach the trailhead by car, turn east from Illinois State Highway 26 onto Orangeville Road. Drive 0.1 mile and turn left (north) on Ewing Street to the parking lot entrance.
Located in Stephenson County, Orangeville was settled in 1851 and incorpated as a village in 1867. The area was originally occupied by Native Americans, particularly the Dakota who hunted nearby. John Curtis was one of the first white American settlers, arriving in 1838.
Throughout the 1830s and 1840s, farmers from New York and Pennsylvania settled the area around present-day Orangeville. Of the first 14 settlers to the area. The village saw growth with the arrival of the railroad in the 1870s. Today, several of its historic downtown buildings are listed on the National Historic Register. A gas station and convenience store, along with a few taverns, serve visiting trail-goers to Orangeville.
Map of trailheads and addresses along this section of the trail.
It is an enjoyable 10.7-mile ride from Monroe to the state line on the Badger State Trail, and further on to Orangeville, Illinois using the Jane Addams Trail. The ride is easy, as the elevation decreases along the way. Bicyclists observe a landscape of rolling farmland, hardwood forests, and charming meadows. Nearby Little Richard Creek adds to the scenery. Eager bicyclists may extend their journeying by going all the way to city of Freeport.
Trail last ridden and documented in August, 2026.