Wisconsin is home to the serene, rolling glacial landscapes sculpted by the receding glaciers of the last Ice Age. A ride along the Glacial Drumlin State Trail is an excellent way to see these unique glacial landscapes of Wisconsin up close – in detail you might not fully take in traveling by car.
Glacial History of Wisconsin
During the Pleistocene Epoch 250 million years ago, receding glaciers sculpted landforms throughout the state, and with the exception of an unglaciated region known as the Driftless Region, (the northwest part of Illinois, southwest part of Wisconsin, Minnesota, and the northeastern part of Iowa) the rest of Wisconsin offers visitors a fascinating look into the state’s geologic past. What makes the Driftless Region unique is the topography; unglaciated areas possess more rugged terrain, which differs from the rest of Wisconsin. Landforms common in the Driftless Region include bluffs, deep river valleys and steep canyon walls, sinkholes, springs, and the occasional waterfall. The terrain is shaped by the downcutting of the upper Mississippi River (a geological process that cuts down the river valley, removing sediment from the river bed) and the absence of glacial deposits. If you’d like to learn more about this unique region, be sure to check out Driftless Wisconsin, to learn more about Driftless geography and rivers within the region.
Today, the Driftless Regions is one of the most beautiful regions in the state of Wisconsin. The University of Wisconsin-Extension has a great Driftless Getaways Roadmap where you can explore different activities, from drives and beautiful viewpoints, to hiking, to local bars, breweries, and even supper clubs within the Driftless Region, and map of the Driftless Region from the Mississippi Valley Conservancy.
Glacial Landscapes of Wisconsin
Outside of the Driftless Region, landforms sculpted by the receding glaciers are a treat to see from the air, by car, by bike, or on foot. While larger glacial landforms are more easily observed by car, in my opinion, the best way to see these unique features is by bike. Wisconsin is home to over 100 rail trails spanning over 1,900 miles – throughout the state, there is so much to see!
The Rails to Trails Conservancy website has a wealth of information on trails across the nation. You can also search Wisconsin trails using Rails to Trails Conservancy’s Trail Finder App. One of my favorite rail trails is the Glacial Drumlin State Trail, which showcases many of these features, feeding my love of geology and unique landscapes.
Glacial Drumlin State Trail | Cottage Grove to Waukesha, Wisconsin
Between Cottage Grove and Waukesha Wisconsin, the Glacial Drumlin State Trail covers 52 miles of rolling glacial landscapes. The thirteen miles of trail between Dousman and Waukesha are paved, while the remainder of the trail is crushed limestone. With the exception of a brief 1.5 section of the trail northeast of the town of Jefferson between State Highway 26 and County Highway Y, the trail is uninterrupted. The trail crosses the Koshkonong Creek 5 times, and crosses the larger Crawfish River once as well. West of Lake Mills, you will cross the Glacial Drumlin Trail Trestle at Rock Lake.
Glacial Drumlin State Trail – Permitted Uses for this trail include biking, hiking, in-line skating, skiing and snowmobiling. The trail is closed to motorized and all-terrain vehicles (ATVs), hunting, and horses. Parking, restrooms, and picnic areas can be found along the trail, and leashed pets are permitted. See the Wisconsin DNR Map of the Glacial Drumlin State Trail.
Glacial Drumlin State Trail – Trail Fees Bikers and in-line skaters age 16 or older are required to have a state trail pass (annual or daily). Trail passes can be purchased from the Wisconsin DNR online, at state park offices (self-registration stations when state park offices are closed); some local businesses along the trails sell trail passes as well. If you start your ride at the trailhead at Dousman, be sure to pop into the Bicycle Doctor for a snack or to chat with the owners – they offer a large selection of bikes, clothing, gear, and healthy snacks for the trail.
Glacial Landscapes of Southern Wisconsin
The Glacial Drumlin State Trail is aptly named for the glacial formations found throughout the region, formed during the last Ice Age. Along the western half of the trail, unique landforms can be observed. Although some of these features are difficult to discern on foot or by bike, when you know what to look for, you can find them. Check out a few of these landforms:
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, oriented in the direction of ice flow. The teardrop-shaped features you see dotting the landscape along the trail near Helenville in the USGS topographic map below are glacial drumlins. Drumlins often occur in clusters, also known as Drumlin swarms.
Kettles are round depressions formed by the melting of a block of ice detached from (calved from) a receding glacier. These round depressions become kettle lakes. Where kettles are found, so too are kames; this is known as kettle and kame topography.
Kames are round hills of glacial sediment (sand and gravel) formed from meltwater streams from glaciers, arranged in layers. Kames often occur in clusters, and occur in the same regions with kettles; (kettle and kame topography).
Eskers are long, sinuous ridges of glacial sediment (sand and gravel) formed from meltwater streams and deposited beneath glaciers as they melt. These unique features appear from the air to be snake-like; they can continue for hundreds of kilometers but vary in size and shape, with some having flat tops and others sharp ridges.
Glacial Drumlin State Trail Communities
Wisconsin’s rail trails offer numerous connections to communities along the trail for food and refreshments, entertainment, and seasonal events. If you’re looking for some hydration, a hot coffee, farm fresh fruit pie, baked good, or post-ride meal along the trail, there are a few great options for food and drink along the way!
Jelli’s Market and Farm Store
If you’re up for a visit to a local farm, you can take a small diversion from the Glacial Drumlin State Trail to visit Jelli’s Market in Helenville, WI (~2 miles off the trail). Jelli’s is a wonderful family-owned farm where you can pick apples, raspberries, strawberries and blueberries in season or visit the farm store to purchase handmade soaps, jams, honey, maple syrup, fresh donuts and other pastries during the summer months, fruit pies, popsicles, and other homemade crafts. You’ll often spot one of the family’s friendly cats or dogs on the farm. Jelli’s is open daily from 9am-5pm as of April 21, 2025.
To get to Jelli’s from the Glacial Drumlin State Trail, exit the trail at Farmington Rd. and travel north for about 2 miles; Jelli’s Market will be on your right.
Lake Mills, Wisconsin | Restaurants
If you make it to Lake Mills, there are few great options for a meal. I’ll share a couple of my favorites. El Mariachi, located at 102 East Madison Street, is a great place for some well-earned chips and salsa, tacos, fajitas, or a cold drink. Outdoor seating is available during the summer months. Also downtown is The Grist Bar & Table, located at 103 South Main Street, offers traditional comfort food as well as burgers, sandwiches and salads with house-made dressings. A third option for a casual meal just east of downtown at W6630 County Road B is Aztalan Inn Bar and Grill , a family-operated restaurant serving fresh fish, tacos, wraps, sandwiches, seafood, steak and chicken.
Cottage Grove, Wisconsin | Restaurants
If you make it to the Cottage Grove at the westernmost end of the Glacial Drumlin State Trail, (or begin there!) there are a couple of great options for food. 1855 Saloon & Grill, located at 227 County Highway N (right at the trailhead and parking area for the trail) serves burgers, sandwiches, wraps and salads, along with a nice selection of craft beers. There is a beautiful extended outdoor patio (and many televisions if you’re looking for those game scores!)
Another option is the Black Bear Inn, serving lunch and dinner (and breakfast on Saturday and Sunday from 8am-2pm) located at 320 West Cottage Grove Road. The Black Bear Inn serves American food including burgers, sandwiches, wings, soups and salads, and seafood.
If you’re looking for some delicious soul food, check out Moneecia’s Kitchen, located at 447 Cottage Grove Road. If you’re just looking for a coffee or a baked treat, consider the Olde Town Coffee House, located at 218 South Main Street, also near the trailhead and parking area. (open daily from 7am-2pm).
Biking Gear for Trail Rides
Biking weather in the Midwest can be ever-changing, especially in the spring and summer. If you plan to bike a long distance on the Glacial Drumlin State Trail, make sure you have a comfortable backpack to carry your water, snacks, an extra tube, bike tools, or any other needed gear. If you’re looking for a biking-specific or hydration pack, consider Osprey’s Kitsuma or Katari hydration packs; these biking-specific packs come in 1.5 liter, 3 liter, and 7 liter sizes. I have used the Katari 3 pack for several years now, and find it 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 medium-sized pack suitable for any activity, I recommend Osprey’s Talon 11 – I have worn this pack faithfully for hiking, biking, and exploration for over 10 years and it has never let me down. I cannot say enough positive about the durability and fit of Osprey packs (I have four!) The Talon 11 has comfortable padded shoulder straps with safety whistle, curved back-panel to allow ventilation, continuous-wrap hip-belt, two water bottle compartments and plenty of storage space. Check out Osprey’s Packfinder to find the pack that will best fit your frame.
If you’re looking for a larger, waterproof pack for those potentially rainy summer rides, check out the Osprey Transporter Waterproof 18 with AirScape back-panel for ventilation and stable carry, and roll-top closure to fit all your gear. The Transporter comes in 18, 25, and 30 liter sizes. If you’re looking for a simple sling pack, consider the Daylite Sling. #ospreypacks @ospreypacks
Biking the Glacial Drumlin State Trail is always an adventure, regardless of the season. Whether you plan to ride the entire trail from end to end, or spend a bit of time exploring surrounding trail communities, you will find scenic views, observe unique plants, birds and wildlife, pass friendly folks, find great food and drinks in local trail communities, and get great exercise!
Enjoy your ride on this beautiful Wisconsin trail!
As a note…..if you’re interested in biking another picturesque rail trail in the heart of Wisconsin’s Driftless Region, consider Biking Wisconsin’s Driftless Region – Sugar River State Trail, from Brodhead to New Glarus, Wisconsin.
Happy Trails!
-Erin
Note: This post contains affiliate links. If you choose to make a purchase based on my recommendation, I make a small kickback at no additional cost to you.
#dousman, #lakemills, #cottagegrove, #railtrails, #glacialdrumlinstatetrail, #biking, #kettlemorainestateforest, #jellisfarm, #trailcommunities, #bicycledoctor, #drumlin, #kettle, #kame, #moraine, #trekbikes, #ospreypacks, @ospreypacks