Biking Wisconsin's Wild Goose Trail

The Wild Goose State Trail is Wisconsin’s first “cooperative” State trail. This multi-use recreation trail is located in Dodge and Fond du Lac Counties on an abandoned Chicago and Northwestern railroad corridor and is owned by the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, but the two counties develop, maintain and operate the trail. The trail runs from the southern trailhead at Highway 60 (about 4 miles south of the City of Juneau) in Dodge County to the northern trailhead at Rolling Meadows Drive in the City of Fond du Lac. Some segments, like that below, have lovely tree corridors to travel down...



This quiet trail skirts the west side of the vast Horicon National Wildlife Refuge which is a haven for waterfowl during the spring and fall migration seasons. We parked at the Horicon Marsh parking lot on Highway 49 east of Waupan. There are washrooms, hiking trails, and a spur trail over to the Wild Goose Trail. There is also a 3 mile auto tour road that takes you into the marsh to observe waterfowl, which you can also bike. Though the Wild Goose Trail follows the west boundary of the wildlife refuge, you seldom see the marsh or its birds, though the trees open up at times and allow for vista views as below...




Horses are welcomed on a separate adjacent 14 mile pathway along the Wild Goose Trail between Highway 60 and Pautsch Road (about four miles north of the community of Burnett) in Dodge County. Horses are not allowed on the limestone surfaced trail except at designated horse trail crossings. The horse trail winds through wooded and open areas in the same right-of-way as the Wild Goose Trail. As seen below, the rural flavor predominates, with occasional farms and fields interspersed with wetlands and prairies. Note the farm and church in the photo...


No Trail Passes are required for the Wild Goose State Trail, though donations are appreciated. The trail is open to ATVs and snowmobiles, but only during the winter months.

Restrooms are available at the Rolling Meadows Golf Course Clubhouse, Oakfield Village Park, Marsh Haven Nature Center, Juneau City Park, HWY 60 Trailhead. Food is available at Fond du Lac, Oakfield, Oak Center, Waupun, Burnett, Minnesota Junction, HWY 33, Juneau, and the town of Horicon.

==============================

• 30+ Chicagoland Bike Trails I've biked
• 200+ US Bike Trails I've biked