The state of Wisconsin is home to scenic landscapes, in part formed by receding glaciers of the last Ice Age. Rolling hills, remnant prairies, sparkling lakes, pine forests, and agricultural land are common throughout the state. One of my favorite ways to explore the state is by bike on one of the state’s many picturesque rail trails. One of my favorite rail trails in southern Wisconsin is the White River State Trail, a 19-mile trail from Elkhorn, WI to Dover, WI. Read more below.
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Glacial History of Wisconsin
The last Ice Age occurred between 2.6 million and 11,700 years ago. During this period, (the Pleistocene Epoch) continental ice sheets covered a large portion of North America. As ice sheets advanced and retreated, melting glaciers receded northward, depositing sediments and sculpting unique landforms throughout the state.
Between 75,000 and 12,000 years ago, during the Wisconsin Glacial Stage, the last glaciers moved through the state. These glaciers left behind the familiar terrain we enjoy today.
As a side note……
Outside of gently rolling topography of southeastern Wisconsin, bluffs and rugged terrain are found in the southwestern pocket of the state within the Driftless Region. Read more below in my blog post Biking the Driftless Region – Sugar River State Trail.
Explore Wisconsin’s Beautiful Driftless Region | Sugar River State Trail, Brodhead to New Glarus
Another favorite rail trail in Wisconsin is the Glacial Drumlin State Trail. This trail showcases many glacial landforms like that of the White River State Trail.
Bike the Scenic Glacial Drumlin State Trail | Explore Wisconsin’s Post-glacial Landscapes
White River State Trail | Post-glacial Landscapes of Wisconsin
Wisconsin is home to over 100 rail trails spanning over 1,900 impressive miles throughout the state. There is much to see! The Rails to Trails Conservancy website has a wealth of information on trails across the nation. Search trails by state and region using The Rails to Trails Conservancy’s Trail Finder App.
White River State Trail | Elkhorn to Dover, Wisconsin
Between Elkhorn and Dover Wisconsin, the White River State Trail spans 19 miles of rolling Wisconsin landscape. There are no interruptions on the trail, with the exception of a short, 2-mile gap in the trail exists at Burlington, Wisconsin. The trail passes through the Wisconsin communities of Elkhorn, Springfield, Lyons, Burlington, and Dover in Walworth and Racine Counties. With the exception of the 2-mile gap in Burlington, the trail is composed of crushed limestone.
See the Walworth County website for trailhead locations within Walworth County, and the Racine County website for White River State Trail access within Racine County.
White River State Trail | Permitted Uses and Trail Fees
Permitted Uses for this trail include biking, hiking, in-line skating, horseback riding, skiing and snowmobiling. The 2-mile section of the trail between Springfield and Lyons allows horses.
Non-permitted uses include motorized vehicles, ATVs, and hunting. You can find parking, restrooms, and picnic areas along the trail. Leashed pets are welcome on the trail. See the Traillink Map of the White River State Trail.
White River State Trail Fees:  Bikers and in-line skaters (age 16 or older) are required to have an annual or daily state trail pass. You can purchase passes online from the Wisconsin DNR or at state park offices. When DNR offices are closed, self-registration is available. In addition, some local businesses along the trails sell trail passes.
White River State Trail | Kettle and Kame Topography
Wisconsin is home to numerous glacial landforms in the form of sediment, deposited as glaciers melted and receded northward. You may have heard of some of these unique landforms (with unique names!)
Moraine: unconsolidated debris (sediment and rock) left behind by a moving glacier. Moraines form on the sides or the foot of moving glacial ice. From a distance, moraines appear as large, broadly shaped, elongated ridges.
Drumlin: an teardrop-shaped, elongated hill of glacial sediment formed by the movement of an ice sheet. The orientation of drumlins is north-south, in the direction of ice flow.  The teardrop-shaped features are glacial drumlins. Drumlins often occur in clusters, also known as swarms.
Kettles are formed from melting blocks of glacial ice. As ice detached from (calved from) a receding glacier, the weight of ice on the landscape left round depressions. These depressions become kettle lakes. Kettle and kame topography is characterized by these sedimentary glacial deposits.
Kames are round hills of glacial sediment (sand and gravel) formed from meltwater streams from glaciers and arranged in layers. Kames often occur in clusters, and occur in the same regions with kettles.
Eskers are long, sinuous ridges of glacial sediment (sand and gravel) formed from meltwater streams. Glaciers deposited sediment beneath them as they melted. These unique features appear from the air to be snake-like. Eskers can continue for hundreds of kilometers, and vary in size and shape. Some exhibit flat tops, while others have sharp ridges.
Biking Gear for Trail Rides
Weather is ever-changing in Wisconsin! Mornings and evenings can be chilly, and midday sun can be intense, even into the fall months. For COOLER fall days, consider the Outdoor Research Trail Mix Snap Pullover – Women’s or Men’s. Explore Fall Gear & Apparel up to 60% Off. Jackets & Layers Up To 65% Off
Biking Specific Packs
For a comfortable pack for your gear, consider Osprey’s Kitsuma or Katari hydration packs in 1.5 liter, 3 liter, and 7 liter sizes. I have used the Katari 3 pack for several years now. It is lightweight and just large enough for extra water, snacks, and a light layer of clothing. The bright yellow color also adds extra visibility for road crossings.
For a lumbar off-the-back pack, check out the Seral 7, a 1.5 liter hydration pack has enough room for a spare tube and patch kit. For something a tad larger, I recommend the Raptor 10, a 2.5 liter hydration pack that includes hipbelt pockets and shoulder harness. Osprey’s Packfinder can help you find the pack that will best fit your frame.
Biking the White River State Trail, you will discover scenic views, native plants, birds and wildlife, not to mention get a great workout!
Enjoy your ride on this beautiful Wisconsin trail!
Happy Trails!
-Erin
