Hidden Valleys of Southwestern Wisconsin

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monroe County u
northeast of Cashton, was built more
than 100 years ago. Ladybird Johnson
once selected a photo taken from this
breathtaking vantage point for a
national calendar.
Follow Highway 33 east from
Cashton to Wildcat Mountain State
Park, situated in the unglaciated area of
Wisconsin known as “Coulee Country”.
High bluffs and long, narrow valleys
make this a spectacular scenic area.
Kendall
Nestled in the rolling hills is the
community of Kendall, incorporated as a
village in 1894, growing from a railroad
community to a farming community.
The former Chicago-Northwestern
railroad bed is now the Elroy-Sparta
State Bike Trail, serving thousands
of hikers, bikers, and snowmobilers
throughout the year. Fishing
enthusiasts can enjoy the scenic
Baraboo River, which flows through
the village park.
The nationally known Elroy-Sparta
Bike Trail was the first abandoned
railroad grade to be converted to a
recreational trail. The 32-mile trip
takes you through valleys, small towns
and three cavernous tunnels. A smooth
riding surface with no grade over 3%
means everyone can safely enjoy the
trail.
Trail headquarters is the restored
Kendall Depot which offers specific
information about the trail, bike rental
and shuttle service.
The Kendall area has an active
arts community. The “Autumn Ridge
Tour” held in October features area
artists, musicians, and local producers.
The Kendall Community Center and
the Gazebo area downtown are a forum for the artists, local producers, farmer’s
market and musicians.
The towns along the trail welcome bicyclists with open arms. They offer food,
refreshments and plenty of places to stop and rest.
Wilton
Wilton is a small, picturesque farming community located at the headwaters of
the Kickapoo River and at the middle of the Elroy-Sparta Bike Trail. Gentle, rolling
hills lend the area a charm all its own.
“Wilton Wood Turtle Days” is a celebration held annually on the first weekend
in August. It features a fantastic fireworks show, softball tournament, volleyball
tournament, arts and crafts display, parade, water fights and fun for the whole
family.
The Wilton Lions Club members serve up a tasty pancake breakfast each
Sunday morning in the summertime in the Wilton Village Park Campground,
located only five blocks from the bike trail. Tunnel Trail Campground lies next to
the bike path and offers visitors a swimming pool, bike rentals, mini golf and a
repair shop.
Wilton offers visitors several restaurants, a small hotel and several bed and
breakfast establishments.
Norwalk
The community of Norwalk welcomes visitors with open arms. The community
has several restaurants and the Elroy-Sparta Bike Trail winds through a beautiful
community park, which offers relaxation and camping.
Norwalk hosts a National Tractor Pull Association Region 3 pull the second
Friday and Saturday in August. A local pull is held on Sunday. Come and enjoy the
Friday steak fry and great pulling.
Fort McCoy
As Fort McCoy enters its second century of service to the nation, its role
remains as that first envisioned by Major General Robert B. McCoy – to serve as
a premier training and mobilization site for America’s Armed Forces.
Located in the heart of the upper Midwest, Fort McCoy is the only U.S. Army
installation in Wisconsin. Fort McCoy’s superb location, quality terrain and fourseason
climate provides units with significant year-round training opportunities.
As a Total Force Training Center, Fort McCoy’s primary responsibility is
providing quality training facilities for reserve- and active-component military
forces. The installation has provided support and facilities for the field and
classroom training of more than 100,000 military personnel from all services
each year since 1984.
The installation offers year-round recreational activities at Pine View
Campground and Whitetail Ridge Ski Area. Activities
at Pine View include camping, swimming, and
miniature golf to name a few. Winter enthusiasts can
enjoy downhill and cross-country skiing, snow tubing
and snowboarding at Whitetail Ridge. Public hunting
and fishing is also available; visit our website at
www.mccoy.army.mil regarding Fort McCoy hunting
and fishing rules and regulations.
Each year Fort McCoy hosts its annual Armed
Forces Day Open House the third Saturday in May;
this family friendly event is free and open to the
public.
Narrated bus tours and tours of Fort McCoy’s
Commemorative area, consisting of the History
Center; five World War II-era buildings; Equipment
Park and Veterans Plaza can be arranged for groups
of 20 or more. A self-guided driving tour is available
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