Great Sauk State Trail

The Great Sauk State Trail is a popular path that runs north from Sauk City, travels through Prairie du Sac, and ends in the Sauk Prairie State Recreation Area. The 10-foot-wide paved trail runs 10.6 miles, and is in excellent condition. Generally, the path has a level grade, with a few small hills along the route.

The trail follows an old railroad line of the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul Railroad. In 1881, this rail company built a short line from Mazomanie north to Prairie Du Sac. The company became the Chicago, Milwaukee, St. Paul, & Pacific Railway in 1915. Better known as “The Milwaukee Road,” their line was extended even further north to the Badger Ordinance Works in 1941. Seventy years later, with other purchases and mergers over the decades, the line was closed in 2002 by the Wisconsin and Southern Railroad.

The Great Sauk State Trail opened in 2017. The southern trailhead begins in Sauk City on Water Street, near an old railroad bridge over the Wisconsin River. There are no facilities at the site, only street-side parking. By car, the trailhead is reached by turning south on Water Street from U.S. Highway 12 in Sauk City. Drive a half mile to the pull-off parking site.

From its southern trailhead, the path heads north past businesses and soon meets Fuchs Park. This small park has restrooms, a covered picnic shelter, and playground. It serves well as a potential trailhead. The parking lot is located off John Quincy Adams Street, which is reached by turning right (west) off Water Street, and driving six blocks.

The trail then passes three sculptures entitled “Day Dreamer,” “Trust,” and “Love.” The sculptures are found near the trail’s intersection with busy U.S. Highway 12/Wisconsin State Highway 60. Trail-goers should employ the flashing crosswalk signals to cross the intersection; traffic is often heavy.

North of the busy highwaay, the trail travels by the George Culver Community Library. Its parking lot is designated by the village as a trailhead. The library has public restrooms inside. An interpretive marker appears next to the trail a short distance northeast from the library. More markers are found throughout the trail that convey the area’s natural, historical, and cultural history.

This marker near the library focuses on Sauk City’s origin. Hungarian nobleman Agoston Haraszthy purchased land on the Wisconsin River in 1840. He and business partner Robert Bryant started the town of Haraszthy, which by 1852 was called Sauk City. It incorporated as a village in 1854, and claims to be the oldest incorporated village in Wisconsin.

It is a pleasant ride through Sauk City for the next 0.8 mile. The trail passes another interpretive marker and then arrives at Wisconsin State Highway 60 (Water Street). In the summer, a food truck often sets up at this intersection, with picnic tables close by. The historic Milwaukee Road depot building is here too; now housing businesses.

Trail-goers should use caution and employ the crosswalk lights when crossing Wisconsin State Highway 60. Now on the east side of the street, the trail heads north. Turning south after crossing the highway leads to Riverfront Park. It has restrooms, covered picnic shelter, playground, splashpad, athletic fields, and canoe/kayak launch on the Wisconsin River. It makes a good potential trailhead, and is located off Wisconsin State Highway 60.

Back on the Great Sauk State Trail, the path heads north through a forest high above the Wisconsin River. This segment of the trail contains interpretive markers and benches at small rest areas. There are some spectacular views of the river and bluffs on the opposite bank. A mile after crossing the highway, the trail arrives in downtown Prairie du Sac.

Prairie du Sac is named after the 30-square-mile prairie located between the Wisconsin River and Baraboo Range. A large Sauk Indian settlement was present there in the mid-1700s. A hundred years later in 1840, Prairie du Sac was formally established as a village by D.B. Crocker. It was settled mainly by people from New England, while its neighbor Sauk City was settled mostly by German immigrants.

Riverwalk Park and Overlook in downtown Prairie du Sac is a worthwhile stop on the trail. From a parking lot on Wisconsin State Highway 60, a staircase leads down the riverbank to the level of the trail. A covered park bench shelter, bicycle self-service station, and self-service trail pay station are found there. An elevated walkway leads out to the river’s edge, and the playground was inspired by a riverboat. Interpretive markers are also found here.

Continuing north, the trail crosses under the Wisconsin State Highway 60 bridge. Next to the bridge is a large mural on a building, picturing a bald eagle. There is a substantial population of bald eagles in this area. They are often seen hovering over the river or perched high in trees on the bank. This section of the trail, from the bridge north to Veterans Memorial Park, is closed from November to March to protect their habitat.

After heading under the bridge, the trail climbs slowly uphill. It continues along the forested bank of the Wisconsin River. In this section, a spur trail leads up the ridge to street level.

After 0.3 mile, the path crosses a road leading to Veterans Memorial Park. The park is on the river’s edge, with a parking lot, covered picnic shelter, restrooms, and boat ramp. It offers a great upriver view of the Alliant Energy dam, and an interpretive marker on the trail reveals the dam’s history. To access the park by car, turn east on VFW Drive on Wisconsin State Highway 78 after driving north 0.4 mile from bridge.

After VFW Drive, the Great Sauk State Trail continues to gently ascend the riverbank through forest for 2.3 miles. Along the way, another spur trail leads up to a business park including Culver Franchising System, Inc. This serves as the corporate headquarters for the Wisconsin-based, fast-food restaurant chain.

The trail then crosses Wisconsin State Highway 78, leaving behind the Wisconsin River. Passing under an ornamental arch, the path moves into flat Sauk Prairie farmland. After 1.3 miles, the trail enters Sauk Prairie State Recreation Area. An interpretive marker at the entrance welcomes trail-goers to “The Badger Lands.”

The marker explains how Sauk Prairie State Recreation Area was once the home of Badger Ordnance Works. This massive ammunition plant operated from the 1940s through the Vietnam War. During World War II, it was the largest munitions factory in the world. Now the 7,400 acres of land is owned by the state DNR, USDA, Ho Chunk Nation, and Bluffview Sanitation District. It is used for conservation, recreation, and research.

The landscape in Sauk Prairie State Recreation Area is quite different from the first 5 miles of the trail. The final 5.5 miles of the trail meander through flat, rural prairies. Most of the land is filled by restored prairie, with occasional farms and forests. Interpretive markers and park benches are found at three rest areas along the path. One marker highlights how the people of the Ho Chunk Nation have lived on Sauk Prairie for centuries.

The trail continues north, then turns east. The tree-covered slopes of the Baraboo Range emerge far off to the north. This 25-mile long ridge is actually a buried mountain range, exposed through erosion. Its rocks are 1.5 billion years old; some of the oldest exposed rocks in North America. The Baraboo Range was designated a National Natural Landmark in 1980.

A few remnants of the old Badger Ordnance Works may be spotted from trail. Near the end of the route, the path skirts around a dilapidated building. At another spot, a tumbled-down concrete structure has been turned into a piece of artwork. Other sculptures line the trail, including a Sandhill Crane sundial.

The trail ends abruptly 1.7 miles after turning to the east. When expansion plans are completed, the path will continue up the Baraboo Range to Devil’s Lake State Park. Until then, cyclists who reach the end must turn around and head back on the trail.

Biking on the Great Sauk State Trail is a pleasant, scenic ride. The wide, paved trail makes for easy cycling, and there are many places to stop for a rest or take in the view. Distance markers line the entire trail. An active friends group has done an excellent job funding, promoting, and caring for the path.

Bikers aged 16 years and older must purchase a state pass to use the Great Sauk State Trail. The fee is $5 for the day or $25 annually. Trail passes may be purchased at self-serve stations near the library in Sauk City or at Riverwalk Park in Prairie du Sac. They may also be bought at the Sauk Prairie Chamber of Commerce, Prairie du Sac Village Hall, Sauk County Clerk’s Office, and the Sauk County Parks and Recreation Office. 

Sauk City and Prairie du Sac have many businesses catering to trail-goers. Vintage Brewing Company is a notable stop. Located by the river, the brewhouse serves their own locally made, award-winning beer. Their cheese curds and burgers are delicious, and the outdoor deck is especially popular in warm weather.

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

Wine and cheese enthusiasts may want to pair a visit to Carr Valley Cheese Store with Wollersheim Winery and Distillery. Carr Valley is over 100 years old, and has a retail store not far from the trail. They produce over 80 types of cheese, and their many award-winners include cave-aged cheddar and gran canaria. The store often offers “cheese orphans;” small pieces of cheese that enable customers to purchase several types of cheese for under $10.

Across the river from Prairie du Sac, Wollersheim Winery and Distillery sits on a beautiful hillside, dotted with historic buildings and a vineyard from the 1840s. A wide assortment of wine and spirits are available for purchase; and this popular historic business also offers tours, tastings, a bistro, and wine garden.

Trail last ridden and documented in October, 2021.