Elroy
Elroy is a city of 1600 located in the Southwest corner of Juneau County. Once a prominent railroad center, it is now the hub of three trails (Elroy-Sparta, "400", and Omaha). The trails meet at the Commons, a downtown park which serves both trail users and residents. Built in 1991, the Commons provides parking, restrooms, showers, passes, bike rentals, shuttling, gift shop, pay phone, area information, picnic area and Tot Lot. Close by are restaurants, grocery stores and other shops. The Elroy Area Historical Society Museum, Carnegie Library and Juneau County's only movie theatre are nearby.
Elroy is on the West fork of the Baraboo River, which offers fine trout fishing. Schultz City Park on the South Elroy edge of town has facilities for tenting, RV electrical hookups, picnics, and a swimming pool with showers available to campers. Within five miles of Elroy are two motels, 3 bed & breakfasts, a golf course, and an airport.
Elroy is the birthplace and home of The Secretary of U.S. Health & Human Services, Tommy Thompson. For further information write: Elroy Area Advancement Corporation, Box 52, Elroy, WI 53929 or call 1-888-606-BIKE.
Kendall
Kendall is located near the Southeast end of the trail on Hwy. 71 and three miles from Tunnel No. 1. The Department of Natural Resources has restored the Kendall train depot, the headquarters and concession center for the trail. Historic pictures, railroad artifacts and a large mural are on display in the depot building which is registered as a National Historic Place.
The village maintains a park with restrooms for overnight camping and picnicking. Kendall also has a new motel, a bed & breakfast, restaurants, convenience store, gas stations, churches, and a guest house nearby.
There are many community activities: horse & pony pull Memorial Day weekend, 4th of July family day, and a Labor Day weekend celebration. Kendall has been designated as the Polkafest Capital of Monroe County. An annual polka fest is held the second weekend in October at the Community Hall. Check out the new B&B Cabin at Trail's End in the wooded hills 4 miles north of Kendall. For more information regarding the trail or the area, call (608) 463-7109, the trail headquarters information center for year-round information.
Wilton
Wilton is a village in a small picturesque setting of farming and surrounding hills that is located mid-trail between Tunnels No. 1 and 2 on Hwys. 71 and 131, 15 miles south of Tomah. It is the entrance to the Kickapoo River Recreation Area. Wilton, the heart of the trail, is a great place to start your bike trek.
The village park provides camping, picnicking shelters, handicapped facilities and a swimming pool. A pancake breakfast is served by the Lions Club each Sunday morning starting Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day weekend. The times are posted at the park for several church services held in the area.
Other services available are bike rentals, bed and breakfasts, horseback riding and other camping nearby. The village has an annual celebration each summer.
Norwalk
The village of Norwalk is located on Highway 71 and is about four miles southeast of the longest tunnel on the trail. A flood control dam just north of Norwalk provides an additional recreation area. The local Lions Club has been active in sprucing up the area where the trail runs through the village. This park area has a restaurant with bike rentals, two excellent shelters, picnic tables, fireplaces, restrooms and a convenience store nearby.
The annual Lions Club Tractor Pull is held the second Sunday in August, serving BBQ chicken all day.
Whatever a trail user needs, including a laundromat, is available in Norwalk.
Ontario
Nestled in the beautiful Kickapoo Valley and at the entrance to Wildcat Mountain State Park, Ontario offers a wonderful sampling of the leisurely paced life-style found only in a small town. Unspoiled beauty abounds here in these Ocooch Mountains, around every curve of the winding roads and in the steep hills and deep narrow valleys of this unglaciated region.
Come to Ontario and greet days long forgotten. Amish farms dot the hillsides and buggies are frequently seen on the area roads and at the village hitching post. Handcrafts, quilts, furniture, food and baked goods are available at specified farms and shops. The Elroy-Sparta National Bike Trail is a few miles north of Ontario. Situated on the old Chicago Northwestern Railroad bed, the trail is 32 miles long and includes three tunnels, one of which is three quarters of a mile long. There are horseback riding trails in the area and camping is available at local campgrounds and at Wildcat Mountain State Park.
The rambling Kickapoo River, the "world's most crooked river," provides wonderful leisurely family canoeing and outstanding scenery. Local canoe liveries offer rentals and shuttle service.
The hiking enthusiast will find beautiful scenic backroads and Wildcat Mountain State Park offers miles of trails abounding with wildlife. There are lands for hunting, streams for fishing and trails for cross country skiing.
Shop in Ontario for your grocery, camping and personal needs. Local businessmen will greet you warmly, and you'll receive a wave and a smile from every "Kickapoogian" you meet.
Sparta
Sparta, the "Bicycling Capital of America," is located at the west end of the Elroy-Sparta National Bike Trail and the east end of the La Crosse River State Bike Trail in a scenic valley surrounded by rolling hillsides. Sparta offers numerous services a bicyclist may require including motels, bed & breakfasts, camping facilities, bike rentals and repair, restaurants, service stations, grocery stores, laundromats, churches and excellent medical facilities.
Sparta offers a variety of attractions for a variety of interests. Deke Slayton Memorial Space & Bike Museum and the Local History Room have something for all ages. Cross country skiing and snowmobiling attract many visitors during our winter months. Hunting, fishing and canoeing enthusiasts enjoy the beauty of Monroe County year round.
Sparta takes great pride in its 18-hole Municipal Golf Course which has the reputation of being one of the finest in the state. Memorial Park, located on the north shore of Perch Lake, contains five picnic shelters, a playground, four lighted softball diamonds, a concession stand, an Olympic size swimming pool with wading pool, tennis courts, soccer fields, lighted ice skating and hockey rinks complete with warming house, and a football field. You can also visit our 12-lane state-of-the art bowling, banquet and family fun center.
Fort McCoy is a United States Army Military Base located less than five miles from Sparta. Its mission is that of the nation's largest Army Reserve training and mobilization center. The Wisconsin State Patrol Academy is also located at Fort McCoy. Sparta.
The Paul and Matilda Wegner Grotto, known locally as the Little Glass Church, is located just north of Sparta. This unique garden of concrete sculpture decorated with thousands of glittering glass shards is an important part of Wisconsin\'s cultural heritage.
The Monroe County Century Challenge and tour is held annually on the second weekend in August. This 50/100 mile Citizens and WisSport sanctioned race, and 35, 50 or 100 mile tour, winds through Monroe County, Wisconsin. Breathtaking vistas, challenging climbs and hair raising descents will be encountered by both racers and tourists.
While you're here, see the "World's Largest Bike" located right here in Sparta! It is located at the corner of Hwy. 16 and Water Street at the Visitors Information Center.
The annual Butterfest is held the second weekend in June and boasts a vast array of fun for the entire family. Some of the activities include arts and crafts, flea market, golf and softball tournaments, auto and van show, milking contest and the gigantic Butterfest parade. Other attractions include carnival, live entertainment and several food and refreshment tents.
Sparta is also known as "Home of the Fiberglass Animals." Large fiberglass structures and animals, famous throughout the world, are made in Sparta. For further information, contact the Sparta Area Chamber of Commerce & Sparta Tourism Bureau, 111 Milwaukee Street, Sparta, WI 54656, 800-354-BIKE or 608-269-4123. |
