Photo: Wisconsin DNR
This 4-mile, county operated trail connects the communities of Hillsboro and Union Center, while crossing wooded and agricultural lands, winding streams and the Baraboo River. The Hillsboro State Trail connects to the 400 State Trail in Union Center. The 400 State Trail connects to the Elroy-Sparta State Trail in Elroy.
Quick answers
When is the best time to visit Hillsboro State Trail?
It depends on what you came for. Fall color is best in October; biking in May–June and September–October; snowmobiling in January–February; and cross-country skiing in January–February.
What can you do at Hillsboro 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 and biking. Fall (September–November): hiking, fall color and biking.
Do you need a state park sticker at Hillsboro State Trail?
Not for the trail itself: walking and hiking Hillsboro State Trail are free. Riders 16 and older need a state trail pass for biking: $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 Hillsboro State Trail?
The closest state properties, as the crow flies: 400 State Trail (8 mi), Wildcat Mountain State Park (14 mi) and Elroy-Sparta State Trail (16 mi).
Good for
- Biking
- Hiking
- Snowmobiling
- Snowshoeing
- Cross-country skiing
Best months
January · February · May · June · September · October
Visiting
- Admission: A state trail pass is required for bicycling.
- Hours: The trail is open year-round.
- Phone: 608-637-5485
Nearby
- 400 State Trail (8 mi)
- Wildcat Mountain State Park (14 mi)
- Elroy-Sparta State Trail (16 mi)
- Mill Bluff State Park (19 mi)
- Buckhorn State Park (24 mi)
Closures and alerts for Hillsboro 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.