Badger State Trail
- Status
- Open (per official listing)
- Entrance fee
- Statewide rule — see below
- Day-use reservations
- None mentioned
- Dogs
- Statewide rule — see below
- Camping
- None listed
- Official site
- dnr.wisconsin.gov(608) 437-5711
Official page last checked Oct 29, 2026. How we keep this current
Current alerts 2
Partial closure Badger ST Stewart Tunnel ClosedStewart Tunnel on the Badger State Trail is closed for construction. Renovations to the tunnel are expected to continue throughout 2026. Please use… (more)
Stewart Tunnel on the Badger State Trail is closed for construction. Renovations to the tunnel are expected to continue throughout 2026. Please use caution and keep out of all work zones. Trail users can take Tunnel Road to detour around the closure. Impact: High.
Posted by the park 2026-05-06. Official alert
Weather Badger ST North of Basco NoticeThe Badger State Trail north of Basco and bridge 34 has runoff from surrounding farm fields on the corridor making the trail slippery and rutted.… (more)
The Badger State Trail north of Basco and bridge 34 has runoff from surrounding farm fields on the corridor making the trail slippery and rutted. This segment remains open, however, please use caution in this area. Impact: Low.
Posted by the park 2026-05-21. Official alert
Overview
Badger State Trail is a trail.
Visitors come for biking and hiking.
Hours
Park, gate, office and facility hours are listed separately because they often differ. Alerts above override normal hours.
| Facility | Days | Hours | Season |
|---|---|---|---|
| The park’s wording doesn’t give clock times — see the official wording below. | |||
Official wording
The trail is open year-round.
Source: official park page, checked Oct 29, 2026. Times are local to the park.
Pets
Pets allowed on a physical leash no longer than 8 feet at all times and under control; loose pets may be seized. Property-specific pet areas/restrictions appear on park pages.
Statewide rule from Wisconsin's park system (source). This park’s page doesn’t state its own pet rules, so check for local restrictions.
Fees and passes
Per vehicle, resident vs nonresident pricing: a vehicle admission pass is required on all motor vehicles stopping in state parks, forests and recreation areas (daily $13 WI / $16 out-of-state; annual $28 / $50; rates effective Aug. 19, 2025). State trails use a per-person trail pass for certain uses. Heritage Hill SP charges a per-person admission instead.
Statewide fee rule from Wisconsin's park system; this park’s page doesn’t list its own fees.
Wisconsin park passes
- 12-month vehicle admission pass (Wisconsin plates) — $28. All Wisconsin state parks, forests and recreation areas for 12 months Details
- 12-month vehicle admission pass (out-of-state plates) — $50. Same, nonresident vehicles Details
- 12-month pass, Wisconsin residents 65+ — $13. Resident senior vehicles Details
- 12-month reduced-rate pass (additional household vehicle) — $15.50 resident / $32.50 nonresident. Additional vehicles at the same household address; bought with a full-price pass Details
- Daily vehicle admission pass — $13 resident / $3 resident 65+ / $16 nonresident Details
From the Wisconsin state guide. Confirm which passes this park accepts.
Reservations
- Day use
- No day-use reservation requirement mentioned
- Booking system
- Wisconsin State Park System reservations (Camis 'Going to Camp')
- Phone
- 1-888-947-2757
We link to the official booking system rather than showing live availability, which changes minute to minute.
Things to do
HikingBiking
Trails
| Trail | Length | Difficulty | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Badger State Trail | 40 mi | — | Rail trail: YesAsphalt - 6 miles; crushed stone - 34 miles surface |
Trail descriptions from the park
- Rail trail: Yes
- Length: 40 miles
- Surface: asphalt - 6 miles; crushed stone - 34 miles
- Counties: Dane, Green
- Communities: Madison, Fitchburg, Basco, Belleville, Monticello, Monroe, Clarno
Ice Age National Scenic Trail: The Ice Age Trail follows the Badger State Trail for two sections, between Purcell Road and County Highway A in Dane County, and between County Highway W to the Sugar River State Trail in Green County.
Getting there
- Phone
- (608) 437-5711
Directions from the park
In Madison, the Southwest Path has several bicycle/pedestrian access points, including Randall Avenue, Commonwealth Avenue, Odana Road, Midvale Boulevard and Hammersley Road. In Fitchburg, there is a 12-car parking area at Dawley Park on Seminole Highway (0.25 miles east of the Badger State Trail on the Capital City State Trail). The southern end of the asphalt-surfaced trail is at Purcell Road, about 2.5 miles northeast of Paoli. A small parking lot is available at Purcell Road. Library Park in the village of Belleville is next to the trail and offers five parking spaces, picnic tables, a gazebo and a water fountain. Parking for the trail is also available near the Belleville Post Office. The Badger trail connects with the Sugar River trail just south of the Sugar River trail rest area in Monticello. The rest area, near County Highways C and EE, has parking available. Twinning Park in Monroe is next to the trail and has parking, picnic tables, shelters, ball fields and restrooms available.
Sources and freshness
- Wisconsin State Park System — park page — last checked Oct 29, 2026
- Wisconsin DNR 'Find a Park' directory (server-rendered Drupal view, ?page=0..5), filtered to /topic/parks/ property pages
“Last checked” is when our system last read the official source. No change has been detected since this page was first published. Hours, fees and rules can change without notice — confirm with the park before you go. Methodology