Capital City State Trail Conditions

Conditions as of Tuesday, October 20, 2009:

The Capital City State Trail is open year-round.

Pet owners, please be sure to have your pet on a leash, 8 feet or shorter, at all times. You must pick up after your pet.

E-way Segment

A state trail pass is required for anybody 16 years of age or older biking, skating, or roller-skiing on the E-way segment. Passes are available at kiosks along the trailor at the Lake Farm campground or Lussier Family Heritage Center. Dane County [exit DNR] subsidizes trail passes for commuters.

Restrooms are available in the Capital Springs / Lake Farm Campground and, during business hours, Lussier Family Heritage Center.

Safety Message

• Please be aware of and courteous to others using the trail.
• Be alert to traffic at all times.
• Always stay to the right side of the trail, especially when approaching corners and hilltops.
• Keep your bicycle or roller blades under full control and safe speeds at all times.
• Keep at least two bike lengths between riders and alert others when passing.
• Please pull off the trail to view wildlife, flowers or scenery.
  A safe trail makes an enjoyable trail for everyone.

City of Madison Segment

The City of Madison segment of the trail is complete from the E-way segment around the north side of Lake Monona to Cottage Grove Road on the east side.

The City has been trying, unsuccessfully, since early 2007 to acquire the needed property from Union Pacific Railroad to extend the Capital City Trail from Cottage Grove Road to Buckeye Road.

City Engineering is looking at an alternate route for bicycles and pedestrians that will achieve some of the goals of the original project, until such time as the city can acquire the railroad or easements. The interim route would be on-street from Cottage Grove Road to Acewood Park, using Vernon Avenue and Leo Drive. From there it would become a paved path extending south through the park to an existing pedestrian easement connecting to the end of Deerwood Drive. From Deerwood it would continue back to the rail corridor and then south to Buckeye Road via two other existing pedestrian easements.

More Information

If you would like to adopt a section of the Capital City State Trail, please see the Adopt-A-Trail web page for more information.

Other volunteer opportunities near the trail are available at Capital Springs State Park.

Road Conditions [exit DNR]
Weather [exit DNR]
Dane County Bicycle Map [exit DNR]
Madison Bikeways [exit DNR]

For more information or to report trail hazards or vandalism, contact Kevin Swenson, manager, (608) 224-3606; Dane County Parks, (608) 242-4576; or Arthur Ross, Madison pedestrian-bicycle coordinator, (608) 266-6225.

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