Elroy Sparta Bike Trail and Camping

Join the Burbs Outdoor Adventures for a ride along the Elroy-Sparta Bike Trail in Wisconsin from June 7-9, 2024.

“The Granddaddy of All Trails”- it was the first official rails to trails conversion in the United States. Thirty two miles in length, the abandoned Chicago and Northwestern Railroad bed passes through the trail’s most unique features: three tunnels, dug by hand in the 1870’s. The surface of the trail is smooth, hard packed limestone. The cool, sheltered portions of the trail open to the loveliest scenery in the state.

We will be camping in Elroy, Wisconsin. On the path, we will pass through 2 or 3 tunnels and enjoy a picnic lunch before returning to the campsite.

Weekend Camping Fees: $40 each adult. $3 for kids 12 and under. Fees cover the campsite rental, toilet and shower facilities, and evening snack on Friday night.

How to Register: Complete the RSVP on Meetup and a questionnaire with payment instructions will be sent to you. You will not be completely registered until the form and payment have been received.

Food: We will plan food as we get closer. We will picnic on the bike trail so that will be a group meal, but all other meals may be on your own. We will decide as a group closer to the event.

Other Fees: There is a trail access fee for anyone 15 and over. As of this posting it is $5 a day. Please also plan to share food costs. If you plan to rent a bike, you will need money for that. If we go swimming, there will be a fee per person for the pool.

Arrival and Departure Times: Arrive anytime after 5 pm on Friday, June 7th and depart anytime before 11 am on Sunday, June 9th.

Campground has a playground, flushable toilets, showers, and pool nearby.

FAQs
Do I have to bring my own bike?
You are welcome to bring your own bike, but you may also rent a bike from the Elroy Commons Trail Shop. As of this posting, rental prices are $20 a day and include a helmet. A variety of bikes for different ages are available. Rental fees are on your own.

Are kids welcome?
Yes, let's open this up to the family. The trail is on flat terrain, but has a steady 10% incline so younger kids may struggle. We will also be doing about 20 miles on the trails, so please take that into consideration.

What if I or someone in my family would like to come with, but doesn't want to ride?
You are welcome to join for the camping experience. We will also need drivers along the trail in case someone has a breakdown and needs a ride back or doesn't want to finish the ride.

How close are the campsites to where we park?
Close. Very close. It will be about a 20 foot walk from your vehicle to where you will set up your tent.

Will I have my own area to cook food?
To maximize space, we will be camping and cooking as a group. All tents will be in one area and there will be a single food prep/cooking area. We will coordinate cooking gear when we do the meal planning to avoid bringing duplicate items.

Is RV camping available?
There is! RV camping is not part of this camping fee and would require registration through the campground, but you are welcome to RV camp and join us for the ride or the company. The RV sites are very close to the tent sites. Message me if this interests you and I'll hook you up with the info you need.