glacial drumlin state trail - lake mills, wi

The Wisconsin State Glacial Drumlin Trail stretches from Waukesha to Cottage Grove, passing through Lake Mills, Sullivan, Dousman and more.  A total of 52-miles, the trail follows an old railroad bed for a mostly even-keeled journey through the glacial hills and valleys of kettle moraine .  The trail is used for biking, hiking, cross-country skiing, and snowmobiling.  It's a popular bird-watching trail as well.

Along the route you can make connections to other bike trails taking you to: Lapham Peak State Park, the Southern Unit of Kettle Moraine State Forest, Pohlman County Park, downtown Lake Mills, Aztalan State Park, and Korth Park, just to name a few. 

We visited, on foot, the trail beginning in Lake Mills. The density and viciousness of the mosquitoes kept us from exploring as much as we wanted. Clearly, during the height of summer, the best way to traverse this trail is on a bicycle. Lots of cyclists passed us as we walked. Not only do you get to see more of the trail that way, you can escape the mosquitoes easier, too.

That said, the trail was green and lush, wildflowers blooming along the side of the path, bees buzzing, birds calling from the trees overhead. 
On a steamy summer afternoon, 50 paces into the trail, under a canopy of large, old growth trees, cooler temperatures prevail. 

Access Locations

1) Glacial Drumlin State Trail - East
1213 S. Main Street, Lake Mills, WI

2) Glacial Drumlin State Trail - West
Main Street, Cottage Grove, WI

3) Glacial Drumlin State Trail - Waukesha
Fox River Sanctuary
810 W. College Avenue, Waukesha, WI

​​View a Map of the trail route for more details.

Fees: Daily Trail Pass Required for those 16 and older. $5 day pass / $25 year pass
Pedestrians do not required a Trail Pass

Glacial Drumlin State Trail - East / Lake Mills, WI