Horseback Riding

There are approximately 20 miles of horseback riding trails in the riverway. Trails are located at Black Hawk Ridge and Millville. There are some beautiful vistas along the trails as they cross the ridges above the river valley. The Lower Wisconsin State Riverway equestrian trails are open seasonally; see the table below. Equestrian trails are open to hiking as well. Please keep horses on trails marked for their use.

Mountain bikes are not allowed on any trails, though fat tire bikes are allowed during winter. ATVs or other off-road vehicles are prohibited within the riverway property.

Black Hawk Ridge

The Black Hawk Ridge trails are located on State Highway 78 approximately 2.5 miles south of U.S. Highway 12. They are just 3 miles southeast of the village of Sauk City, and about 15 miles northwest of the Madison area. The trails at Black Hawk Ridge are open for hiking and horseback riding. In the winter, they are also open to cross-country skiing, snowshoeing and fat tire biking, but are not groomed for any of those activities. Equestrian trails are open seasonally for horseback riding and fat tire biking; please see the table for details.

Blue River Bridle Trail

The Blue River Bridle Trail runs west from State Highway 80 along the High Bank Road (River Road) from the village of Muscoda in Grant County to Lake Road about 1 mile east of the village of Blue River. The trail is just a short distance north of State Highway 133 and may be accessed at several points along its length. This trail in the Blue River Unit of the Lower Wisconsin State Riverway is open for horseback riding and hiking. It is also open to vehicle traffic along much of its length. Portions of the trail are used for snowmobiles in the winter.

Millville Equestrian Area

The Millville Equestrian Area is located just 4 miles east of U.S. Highway 18/State Highway 35 on County Road C. The city of Prairie du Chien is about 15 miles to the northwest. The Millville Equestrian Area is open to horseback riding and hiking. In the winter, the trails are also open to cross-country skiing, snowshoeing and fat tire biking, but are not groomed for any of those activities. Equestrian trails are open seasonally for horseback riding and fat tire biking; please see the table for details.

Winter Trail Use

In winter, visitors are welcome to cross-country ski or snowshoe on any of the trails; however, we do not groom or maintain any trails specifically for skiing. Fat tire biking is allowed on the horse trails at Black Hawk Ridge and at the Millville Equestrian Area, Dec. 15-March 1 only, and the trails are not groomed.

Note: The property manager may close the trails whenever conditions warrant.