Photo: Wisconsin DNR
Running 10 miles through the picturesque Bonner Branch valley, this county-operated trail links Belmont with the 47-mile Cheese Country Trail in Calamine. The Pecatonica State Trail follows the old Milwaukee Road railroad corridor that at one time hauled lead through this valley, reminiscent of the mining era which once dominated this region of Wisconsin. The western terminus of the trail ends in Belmont where it connects to the Mound View State Trail.
Quick answers
When is the best time to visit Pecatonica State Trail?
It depends on what you came for. Fall color is best in October; biking in May–June and September–October; mountain & fat biking in June and September–October; and ATV / UTV / off-road in June–October.
What can you do at Pecatonica State Trail in each season?
Winter (December–February): hiking, mountain & fat biking, snowmobiling, cross-country skiing and snowshoeing. Spring (March–May): hiking, biking, mountain & fat biking and ATV / UTV / off-road. Summer (June–August): hiking, biking, mountain & fat biking, ATV / UTV / off-road and horseback riding. Fall (September–November): hiking, fall color, biking, mountain & fat biking, ATV / UTV / off-road and horseback riding.
Do you need a state park sticker at Pecatonica State Trail?
Not for the trail itself: walking and hiking Pecatonica 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 Pecatonica State Trail?
The closest state properties, as the crow flies: Belmont Mound State Park (5 mi), Mound View State Trail (7 mi) and Yellowstone Lake State Park (14 mi).
Good for
- Biking
- Hiking
- Horseback riding
- Mountain & fat biking
- ATV / UTV / off-road
- 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: 608-776-4864
Nearby
- Belmont Mound State Park (5 mi)
- Mound View State Trail (7 mi)
- Yellowstone Lake State Park (14 mi)
- Governor Dodge State Park (20 mi)
- Fenley State Recreation Area (23 mi)
Closures and alerts for Pecatonica 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.