The “400” State Trail: Wonewoc to Elroy
It is 7 miles from Wonewoc to Elroy on the “400” State Trail. The path also travels through Union Center. The landscape around the trail is low, wetland forests. The Baraboo River is never far away, and crossed five times in this section. Across the river valley, forested bluffs appear not far in the distance. Several of these bluffs have substantial rocky outcroppings.
The path’s surface is in good condition. The gradient rises about 50 feet over its 7 miles. In Union Center, caution is required when crossing Wisconsin State Highway 33. There are no self-employed flashing lights to warn drivers of crossing trail-goers.
The Wonewoc trailhead in between Gordon and Washington Streets. It has a large parking lot, restrooms with flush toilets, drinking fountain, picnic shelter, self-service bicycle repair station, bike rack, firepit with benches, and historical marker. To reach the trailhead by car, turn west on Gordon Street from Wisconsin State Highway 33.
Several establishments offer food and beverages in Wonewoc. A convenience store, restaurant, and several taverns are located on Center Street, one block off the trail. Center Street Coffee, Ice, Cream, and Treats is nearby in downtown Wonewoc. It sells Cedar Crest Ice Ceam, but also offers muffins, scones, cinnamon rolls, and other treats. Beyond Boundaries Canoe, Kayak, and Bike Adventures can’t be missed. Located directly on the trail, the company offers outdoor activity rentals and shuttles services.
Wonewoc’s name is interpreted as “howling hills” in the Ho Chunk language. Another version offers a little more levity: Wonį́wąk has also been understood to mean “naughty or foolish thinking” in Ho Chunk. According to local legend, a settler asked a native resident what the place was named, and the Native American replied that the man was a fool.
Lumber prospectors came to this area in 1842. Before that, it was home to the Ho-Chunk Nation. They ceded their land to the U.S. Government during the 1830s. White American settlers arrived in 1851. The village was incorporated in 1878, and grew with the advent of the railroad. When the rail line closed, the village’s growth diminished.
Back on the “400” State Trail, the path goes north out of Wonewoc near the Baraboo River. Less than a half mile up the trail is a sign for Baker’s Field Campground. The primitive camping area has no facilities except firewood and a fire ring. Trail-goers staying overnight carry in what they need, and pack out their refuse. There is no fee to use the campsites.
Camping is also available at Wonewoc Legion Park. Just a half mile from the trailhead, this full-service park features an outdoor swimming pool, restrooms and hot showers. Campground sites are equipped with electrical hookups, picnic tables, firewood, and fire rings. The campground is on Pine Street.
The “400” State Trail continues north through low wetland forests and past a bend in the Baraboo River. The path turns slightly to the northwest. It follows the upstream course of the river, and bends around a tall bluff towering 200 feet above the valley. Its outcroppings have resulted in the name Castle Rocks.
From the trailhead it is one mile to the Wonewoc-Center Outdoor Learning Area. This 97-acre tract of land was obtained in 1993 by the Wonewoc and Union Center School District for use as an outdoor classroom. Hiking trails, picnic areas, observation platforms, and a classroom facility are near the trail. Visiting students learn about and appreciate nature as they roam the sloughs, bluffs, marshes, and meadows of the Baraboo River valley.
Interpretive markers are located on the trail in the Outdoor Learning Area. One marker shares geologic history, identifying the “Third Castle.” This rocky feature can be seen west of the trail among the bluffs. The first two castles are hidden from view, but the third one is clearly noticeable. It rises from the Baraboo River, creating a shady, cool climate for hemlock trees. The Outdoor Learning Area is home to a variety of waterfowl and other birds.
From the Outdoor Learning Area, it is 1.6 miles to the Village of Union Center. In that distance, the “400” State Trail crosses the Baraboo River twice. It also passes through a cut in a ridge protruding into the river valley. In the early 1870s, workers blasted through the rocky ridge to create a gap for the railroad line. Today the “400” State Trail travels through this shaded gap with tall rocky sides.
From the gap, it is a half mile to where the Hillsboro State Trail branches off to the west from the “400” State Trail. After the “400” State Trail leaves the narrow pass, it crosses Hahn Street and travels behind a large Land O’Lakes Dairy factory. Behind the factory, the two trails diverge. The Hillsboro State Trail journeys west about 4 miles to Hillsboro.
The “400” State Trail goes north across Wisconsin State Highway 33, and arrives in Union Center. The path runs along Eagle Parkway, a potential trailhead. It has a parking lot, restrooms with flush toilets, drinking fountain, covered picnic shelter, grills, self-service bicycle repair station, bike rack, playground, basketball and sand volleyball courts. The parkway is reached by car on High Street by turning north off Wisconsin State Highway 33.
Union Center (originally called “Union”) was incorporated as a village in 1859. Earliest white settlers came in the 1850s to the “union” of the two upper branches of the Baraboo River. The Chicago & Northwestern Railroad came in 1872. In 1902, the Hillsboro & Northeastern Railroad connected with the C&NW in Union Center, and ran its line to Hillsboro.
Today this little community has a convenience store, a few taverns and eateries. From Eagle Parkway in the Union Center, cyclists can head straight north on the “400” State Trail to Elroy. It is 4 miles from Eagle Parkway to Elroy Commons, mostly alongside Wisconsin State Highways 80-82. Traffic can be heard in this section, but beautiful views of the Baraboo River valley easily distract from the highway noise.
The “400” State Trail leaves Union Center aside a tall bluff to the right (east). After crossing Park Street, the path travels through wetland and by a large slough. This scenery continues to the first crossing of the Baraboo River: nearby bluffs give way to sloughs and marshes. Elroy Municipal Airport is tucked into the forested countryside between bluffs, though it is difficult to see to the right (east) from the trail.
At the Baraboo River crossing, a tall bluff towers near the trail to the right (east). Behind it is a smaller one that’s harder to see from the wooded path. The smaller prominence is Kimball’s Bluff, and is less than half a mile from the trail.
After crossing the Baraboo River, the trail enters Tiedtke Valley. This valley is named after a farming family of German immigrants who settled in the area in the late 19th century. The trail runs 1.2 miles through the valley lowlands to the next crossing of the Baraboo River. The third crossing comes after 0.7 miles.
Between the second and third river crossings, the trail arrives in Elroy. A large welcome sign is visible from the path. Schulz City Park is located across Wisconsin State Highways 80-82, and home to the Elroy Fair. The annual fair hosts activities such as horse and tractor pulls, bull riding, musical entertainment, carnival rides, animal showings, and tasty food.
Trail-goers need to cross the busy state highway to access Schultz Park, but it does offer many amenities. It has a swimming pool, playground, ball field, volleyball and tennis courts, and restrooms. There is also a campground with tent and electric sites. Camping fees are paid at the Elroy Commons Trail Shop.
It is less than a half mile from the final river crossing to the end of the “400” State Trail at Elroy Commons. In this distance the trail crosses two city streets. Technically, the “400” State Trail continues another quarter mile north to Cedar Street.
Cyclists continuing to the Omaha Trail or Elroy-Sparta State Trail should head west on Cedar Street in the bike lane for one block. Turning north on 2nd Main Street and traveling about a mile leads to the Omaha Trail. The Elroy-Sparta State Trail is reached by continuing on Cedar Street for one more block and crossing Wisconsin State Highways 80-82.
Elroy Commons has many amenities and makes a great place to begin or end a ride on the “400” State Trail. It is accessed by turning east off Wisconsin State Highways 80-82 in the center of the city into the Elroy Commons parking lot. It is located at 303 Railroad Street, next to the Elroy Fire Department.
Elroy Commons has a parking lot, restrooms with flush toilets, drinking fountain and water bottle filling station, and hot showers. It also has a self-service bicycle repair station, bike rack, and covered picnic shelter. A small shop sells a variety of goods including trail passes. It also repairs bicycles and rents them to the public.
Elroy was incorporated as a city in 1858 and is the home of former Wisconsin governor Tommy Thompson. Today it boasts the slogan “Where the Trails Meet.” The “400” State Trail, Elroy-Sparta State Trail, and Omaha Trail converge in Elroy.
In its early days, Elroy was a railroad town. The Baraboo Air Line Railroad came in the 1870s. It was later acquired by the Chicago and Northwestern Railway. The Chicago, St. Paul, Minneapolis, and Omaha Railway also traveled through Elroy. Both railroad companies maintained roundhouses and other operations there.
Views of the bluffs and rocky precipices rising above the Baraboo River Valley are a highlight on this section of the “400” State Trail. At times these wooded ridges are near the trail. More often, they mark the distant borders of the low Baraboo River valley. But the view is spectacular, and easily appreciated from the trail.
Trail last ridden and documented in September, 2025.
Map of trailheads and addresses along this section of the trail.