Photo: Wisconsin DNR
This 19-mile trail follows a former rail corridor as it travels between Elkhorn in Walworth County and Dover in Racine County, with a short gap in Burlington. The trail passes by numerous bridges, scenic vistas, quaint towns, farmlands and wetlands. The trail is operated by Walworth and Racine counties and is within five miles of Lake Geneva and Big Foot Beach State Park.
Quick answers
When is the best time to visit White River State Trail?
It depends on what you came for. Fall color is best in October; biking in May–June and September–October; horseback riding in June and September–October; and snowmobiling in January–February.
What can you do at White River 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, biking and horseback riding. Fall (September–November): hiking, fall color, biking and horseback riding.
Do you need a state park sticker at White River State Trail?
Not for the trail itself: walking and hiking White River 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 White River State Trail?
The closest state properties, as the crow flies: Big Foot Beach State Park (5 mi), Richard Bong State Recreation Area (15 mi) and Kettle Moraine State Forest – Mukwonago River Unit (15 mi).
Good for
- Biking
- Hiking
- Horseback riding
- Snowmobiling
- Snowshoeing
- Cross-country skiing
Best months
January · February · May · June · September · October
Visiting
- Admission: A state trail pass is required for bicycling and horseback riding.
- Hours: The trail is open year-round.
Nearby
- Big Foot Beach State Park (5 mi)
- Richard Bong State Recreation Area (15 mi)
- Kettle Moraine State Forest – Mukwonago River Unit (15 mi)
- Kettle Moraine State Forest – Southern Unit (21 mi)
- Kettle Moraine State Forest – Lapham Peak Unit (28 mi)
Closures and alerts for White River 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.