Military Ridge State Trail: Dodgeville to Ridgeway

A ride on the Military Ridge State Trail from Dodgeville to Ridgeway is 9.2 miles long and is an enjoyable experience. The surface of the path is composed of crushed limestone, in good condition. Biking east from Dodgeville, the elevation descends about 80 feet over its distance to Ridgeway. The trail offers stunning views of the countryside through the corridor of trees that surround it. Traveling along the crest of the ridge, there are scenic views of neighboring valleys and hills. The route itself is historic, as it retraces the old military road.

The main trailhead for the Military Ridge State Trail is located at a DNR Service Center on County Highway YZ in Dodgeville. Ample parking, interior restrooms, a self-registration station, picnic tables, bike rack, and an information kiosk are found there. To reach the DNR Service Center by car, turn north on Johns Street from U.S. Highway 18 (Dodgeville Expressway) in Dodgeville. Drive 0.4 mile to the center’s entrance.

The Military Ridge State Trail actually begins 350 yards west of the DNR center at the junction of County Highway YZ and Wisconsin State Highway 23 in Dodgeville. While biking enthusiasts may want to begin at the trail’s exact origin, no trail amenities are found there, including public parking. The service center works best as a starting point.

Dodgeville offers visitors all the necessary amenities: restaurants, fast food, gas stations, hotels, and more. A seasonal A & W fast-food restaurant serves up their namesake root beer and floats, as well as burgers, chicken, and fries. It is located on County Highway YZ near the trailhead. A bakery, restaurants, taverns, and cheese store offer visitors plenty of dining choices in historic downtown Dodgeville, just one mile south of the trail’s starting point.

Dodgeville, the seat of Iowa County, dates to 1827 when Henry Dodge arrived with a group of settlers intent on mining lead in the area. The Iowa County Courthouse, built in 1859, is the oldest functioning courthouse in Wisconsin. Henry Dodge became Wisconsin’s first territorial governor, and his mining shack is still located in town.

Returning to the Military Ridge State Trail, upon leaving the DNR center in Dodgeville, the path travels along a flat and shaded route. During summer months, periodic swarms of gnats may bother trail-goers. But views from Military Ridge make up for the inconvenience. Forested valleys fall away from the ridge with dairy farms dotting the countryside.  

It is 2.2 miles to the intersection of County Highway Z. At that junction, bicyclists may choose to head north for a half mile to connect with a paved trail leading to Governor Dodge State Park. The county road descends and then climbs a hill to where the spur trail leads off to the state park. The long descending path in the park is winding andcertainly exciting. The climb back up the hill to return to Military Ridge State Trail may be challenging.

Governor Dodge State Park is named after Henry Dodge, Wisconsin’s first territorial governor who settled in the area. It’s one of the largest state parks with over 5,200 acres. The park features steep hills, bluffs, and deep valleys. Two lakes and a waterfall are main attractions in the park. The park offers camping, picnicking, hiking, canoeing, biking, hunting, fishing, off-road biking, and horseback riding opportunities.

Back on the Military Ridge State Trail, the route continues along the high ridge. The path crosses County Highway Y one mile after meeting County Highway Z. A short distance down the trail, it travels adjacent to County Highway YZ, until nearing U.S. Highways 18 and 151.

While not immediately apparent on the trail, an interesting Wisconsin historical marker is found on County Highway YZ. The marker explains the history of the military road built in 1835 by military troops from Fort Crawford in Prairie du Chien. This section of the trail closely follows the old military road. To view the marker, turn south from the trail onto Canyon Park Road. Travel 250 feet to County Highway YZ where the marker is located.

The landscape surrounding the trail features rolling countryside. Patches of forest are surrounded by farm fields. After crossing Evans Quarry Road, the path parallels the busy four-lanes of U.S. Highways 18 and 151 for 3.5 miles. Even when the highway isn’t visible, the sound of traffic is noticeable. Red-wing Blackbirds let intruders know that this is their territory. Cyclists may expect to be pestered by these dive-bombing birds.

It is 1.8 miles from Evans Quarry Road to Ridgevuew Road. Then it is another 1.6 miles to Ridgeway. Upon entering the village, bicyclists are greeted by a looming water tower, recreational complex, and historic depot. Parking and public restrooms are located at the depot. Several small businesses in town cater to trail-goers. On spring through autumn Sundays, a farmer’s market is held in downtown Ridgeway right off the bike trail.

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

It is easy to reach the Ridgeway’s old depot trailhead by car. From U.S. Highways 18 and 151, exit on County Highway HHH north of the village. Turn north from the U.S. highway and drive back to the west for 1.1 mile. The road becomes Main Street. The trailhead at the historic depot is north of Main Street, next to the water tower.

Ridgeway was settled in 1828 by J.B Skinner and other miners during the lead mining boom in southwest Wisconsin. By the 1840s and 1850s, Irish, Welsh, Norwegians, and Germans made their home there. The 1913 railroad depot is the only remaining depot from the former Chicago and Northwestern Railway. Ridgeway is known for its tales of a spook that haunted the village. From 1840 to 1885, a ghost supposedly was seen on occasion along the old military road. Stories of apparitions have been handed down from generation to generation.

Nature enthusiasts may want to visit Ridgeway Pine Relics State Natural Area. From the intersection of County Highways HHH and H in Ridgeway, travel north on County Highway H for 0.6 miles to a small parking lot on the east side of the road. A trail on the west side of the road marked with a State Natural Area sign leads to the preserve. It features pine relicts set among high sandstone cliffs, rock outcrops, shallow caves, and rock shelters. These pine forests have lasted since the last glacier receded about 12,000 years ago.

The Military Ridge State Park travels east from Dodgeville to Ridgeway over nine miles. The path follows the route of the historic military road. This part of the road was cut by U.S. troops stationed at Fort Crawford in Prairie du Chien during the 1830s. It’s intriguing to imagine trail-goers advancing along this majestic ridge just as soldiers did nearly 200 years ago. Adding to this nostalgic theme is the stunning scenery along the way.

Trail last ridden and documented in June, 2020.