Photo: Wisconsin DNR
Wetlands, wildlife, sandstone bluffs, rolling croplands and pastures are just a few of the sights you can enjoy on the 400 State Trail as it repeatedly crisscrosses the Baraboo River. The entire length of the 22-mile trail follows along the river valley from Elroy to Reedsburg.
Quick answers
When is the best time to visit 400 State Trail?
It depends on what you came for. Fall color is best in October; boating & paddling in June–September; biking in May–June and September–October; and horseback riding in June and September–October.
What can you do at 400 State Trail in each season?
Winter (December–February): hiking, snowmobiling, cross-country skiing and snowshoeing. Spring (March–May): hiking and biking. Summer (June–August): hiking, boating & paddling, biking and horseback riding. Fall (September–November): hiking, fall color, boating & paddling, biking and horseback riding.
Do you need a state park sticker at 400 State Trail?
Not for the trail itself: walking and hiking 400 State Trail are free. Riders 16 and older need a state trail pass for biking and horseback riding: $5 a day or $25 a year. If you park in a lot inside a state park, forest or recreation area, that lot still needs a vehicle sticker.
What state parks and trails are near 400 State Trail?
The closest state properties, as the crow flies: Hillsboro State Trail (8 mi), Mirror Lake State Park (18 mi) and Rocky Arbor State Park (18 mi).
Good for
- Biking
- Boating & paddling
- Hiking
- Horseback riding
- Snowmobiling
- Snowshoeing
- Cross-country skiing
Best months
January · February · May · June · July · August · September · October
Visiting
- Admission: A state trail pass is required for bicycling and horseback riding.
- Hours: The trail is open year-round.
- Phone: 608-337-4775
Nearby
- Hillsboro State Trail (8 mi)
- Mirror Lake State Park (18 mi)
- Rocky Arbor State Park (18 mi)
- Wildcat Mountain State Park (21 mi)
- Natural Bridge State Park (22 mi)
Closures and alerts for 400 State Trail: updates · RSS · JSON Feed
Text and park details on this page come from the property's DNR pages, checked every Monday; last change October 24, 2026. Closures and notices load live. Check current conditions before you go.