Rail trail · Wisconsin
Badger State Trail
40 miles of rail-trail between Madison and the Illinois border, traversing farms, glacial topography, and small Green County communities, and home to the historic Stewart Tunnel currently undergoing repair.
Length
40 miles
Surface
Paved, Crushed stone
Route
Point to point
Endpoints
Madison (Fitchburg) to the Wisconsin-Illinois border
Season
Year-round; paved northern section ideal spring through fall; the crushed-stone southern section passable in dry conditions; the Stewart Tunnel is closed until repair work is completed, expected 2027
Plan your ride or walk
The Badger State Trail runs 40 miles from Madison south to the Wisconsin-Illinois border, linking the state capital to the farmland, rolling hills, and small communities of Dane and Green counties, including Belleville, Monticello, and Monroe. The trail is a classic Midwest rail-trail in two sections: 6 paved miles along the southern edge of Madison, then 34 miles of crushed stone through the countryside. Its most talked-about feature is the Stewart Tunnel, a historic railroad bore through a hillside near Paoli that was closed in 2019 due to falling rock; repair work backed by 6.6 million dollars in state funding is underway, with construction slated for 2026 and an estimated reopening in 2027. While the tunnel is closed, a road detour on Tunnel Road bypasses it. The trail also connects south to the Jane Addams Trail in Illinois and links with the Capital City and Sugar River State Trails for longer loops. A Wisconsin State Trail Pass is required for cyclists and inline skaters 16 and older.
Getting there
The northern trailhead is in Fitchburg, just south of Madison, at Dawley Park on Seminole Highway, about 0.25 miles east of the trail via the Capital City State Trail. The southern terminus is at the Illinois border, with parking and access available in Monroe at Twinning Park, and also in Belleville and at the Purcell Road lot northeast of Paoli. Madison is about 30 minutes from Monroe via US 69.
Official trail information
Confirm current conditions, closures, and any required trail pass on the managing agency’s page.
Wisconsin DNR: Badger State TrailWhat to bring
Gear keyed to a long, flat trail day: footwear, hydration, sun protection, and a pack sized for the distance.
Frequently asked questions
How long is the Badger State Trail?
The trail is 40 miles from the Madison area south to the Wisconsin-Illinois border. The first 6 miles near Madison are paved; the remaining 34 miles to the border are crushed stone.
Is the Stewart Tunnel open?
No. The Stewart Tunnel has been closed since 2019 due to falling rock from the ceiling and walls. Repair work with corrugated metal pipe lining is scheduled for construction in 2026 with an estimated reopening in 2027. A road detour on Tunnel Road bypasses the closure.
Do you need a trail pass for the Badger State Trail?
Yes. A Wisconsin State Trail Pass is required for cyclists and inline skaters age 16 and older. Daily and annual passes are available. Walking and running on the trail are free.
What other trails connect to the Badger State Trail?
The Badger connects north to the Capital City State Trail in Madison and to the Sugar River State Trail south of Monticello. It continues south into Illinois as the Jane Addams Trail, making multi-day rides from Madison to Freeport, Illinois possible.
More Wisconsin trails
Looking for parks instead? Browse state parks by state.