About us
Photo by Robin Reynolds
Ordinary Doing the Extraordinary
Welcome to the Wisconsin River Trail Organization (WRTO) webpage. On this site you will learn about who we are and how we are creating a 20+ mile trail in the Driftless communities of Boscobel, Woodman, and Wauzeka to the lower Wisconsin riverway.
We are excited to share every step of our way with you with the hopes of meeting you, our new friend, on our trail with a smile and a friendly “Hello”.
Our Non-Profit Organization: WRTO
Our Mission
We will preserve the beauty of the Wisconsin River Trails, through the acquisition, development, and maintenance of Trail property for conservation, in order to promote an environment of health and wellness.
The Wisconsin River Trail Organization is a 501c3 Non-Profit (EIN 46-5278938). Download our WRTO Bylaws (Revised 2019) AND Articles of Incorporation Document (Revised Mar 2019)
Our Vision
The Wisconsin River Trail Organization and its many supportive partners, collaborate and envision a pristine, unique, silent sport, paved, safe recreational trail loop that is supported and maintained by the WRTO and its friends group.
This recreational trail will offer peaceful, natural views of rural landscape, which will provide a renewed sense of health and wellness-physically, mentally, and spiritually.
Our Goals
The goal of this non-profit organization is to create a River Trail in four phases that will allow us to succeed and share the land we love so much with others that may need the quiet solitude of our rural setting.
Why do we call it the Driftless area?
The Driftless area is a unique region in the Midwest that stands out from the surrounding areas due to its geological history.
Unlike the rest of the Midwest, the Driftless area was not touched by the last glacier, which means that the landscape was not flattened or reshaped by the glacial activity that occurred during the last ice age. As a result, the Driftless area boasts beautiful rolling hills, deep valleys, and lush greenery that is unlike anything else in the region.
The Wisconsin River and the Mississippi River, two of the most iconic rivers in the United States, proudly meet in our neck of the woods, and the unique landscape of the Driftless area provides a stunning backdrop for all kinds of outdoor activities.
From hiking and camping to fishing and kayaking, there is no shortage of things to do and see in the Driftless area. So if you’re looking for a truly unique and beautiful destination for your next vacation, look no further than the Driftless area of Wisconsin.
Wisconsin River Trail Phase 1
The first phase is to finish our Sanders Creek walking/biking trail to our boat landing in Boscobel.
Depending on the natural habitat that exists there, the cost of fill needed, and the most recreationally beneficial boat landing to attach our trail to, we have yet to commit to a west side (Floyd Von Haden Boat Landing) or the east side, which is a more basic landing that allows for canoeists to port.
No matter what side is chosen, our citizens, children, and tourists will be able to walk or bike to the boat landing safely, viewing our natural habitat of eagle’s nests and turtle habitats as they travel.
What else can you do when you are in town for activities?
Boscobel has plenty of activities to offer. If you’re a fan of fishing, we have some of the best cold-water trout and river fishing in the area.
For those who love to paddle, the Wisconsin River is perfect for canoeing and kayaking.
If hiking is more your style, you can explore the 389-acre Boscobel Bluffs preserve.
And don’t forget to take in the beauty, history, and outdoor recreation opportunities that the Wisconsin River has to offer – visitors are always welcome!
Wisconsin River Trail Phase 2
Our next phase is to create a hiking/biking trail that leads from Boscobel toward Woodman following, in areas, the railroad trails.
It is legally and financially beneficial to parallel parts of the railroad trails, 51 feet from the tracks, to minimize the need to clear land, and also, to widen easements that are not taxing to the landowners.
Looking for a rural escape that’s not too far from the city?
Look no further than Boscobel! Located just an hour away from Madison and Dubuque, and a short 1½-hour drive from LaCrosse, we’re the perfect destination for a day trip, weekend getaway, or even a week-long vacation.
In our quaint and friendly community, you can step back in time and experience the simple pleasures of country living. And don’t worry about breaking the bank – our prices are affordable! We offer a variety of charming cafes and shops that won’t leave a dent in your wallet.
In addition to our beautiful natural surroundings, the Wisconsin River Trail Organization hosts a variety of events and activities throughout the year that are perfect for visitors and locals alike.
Check out our website and follow us on social media to stay up-to-date on upcoming events and activities. Come experience the best of rural living with the Wisconsin River Trail Organization!
Wisconsin River Trail Phase 3
Phase three, our biggest feat and most exciting segment of our trail, will be to cross over the Wisconsin River in an area that boasts country and river scenery that allows for peaceful, one-of-a-kind views of nature that can now only be seen by boat.
We are contracting with UW-Platteville Engineering departments to construct a bridging system that is disability accessible, with fishing areas, and even a view of an early 1900’s turnstile, built when the river was deep and wide enough for barge traffic.
It is approximately 4 miles to Wauzeka from this path, with a need for 4-7 bridges, and a stretch of land and river that will bring you back to nature in a pristine, quiet, and relaxing setting.
Discover a Hidden Gem: Shop, Dine, and Relax in Boscobel
When it comes to planning a vacation, budget is always a consideration. But in Boscobel, you don’t have to sacrifice affordability to enjoy a memorable trip.
Our small-town atmosphere offers a unique charm that you won’t find in big cities, and our cafes and shops provide plenty of opportunities to relax, unwind, and indulge. Whether you’re interested in outdoor activities, local history, or just some good old-fashioned relaxation, Boscobel has something for everyone.
You Should Be Here!
As you plan your visit, be sure to take advantage of the resources available through the local Chamber of Commerce, Grant County Tourism or drop us a question or two through our contact page.
We’re always here to help you make the most of your time in Boscobel!
Wisconsin River Trail Phase 4
Our last phase will be to bring the trail full circle from Wauzeka back to Boscobel following roughly the Highway 60 path which follows the Wisconsin River.
We know our goals are lofty, but we also know that, if we divide this trail into phases, that we will succeed and be able to share the land that we love so much, with others that may need the quiet solitude of our rural setting.
The Wisconsin River Trail Organization Board
The Wisconsin River Trail Organization Board consists of the members listed below.
We owe a debt of gratitude to our volunteers and supporters
Your unwavering dedication and commitment have been integral to our success.
It is because of their selfless contributions that we have been able to reach the point where we stand today, on the cusp of turning our vision into reality. Their tireless efforts have not gone unnoticed, and we are eternally grateful for their support in bringing the Wisconsin River Trail to life.
Thank you to each and every one of our volunteers and supporters for your incredible contributions!
Trail Construction
We have divided the construction of the Wisconsin River Trail into four distinct phases, each with its own unique set of challenges and opportunities.
To learn more about the phases we have already completed and those that are yet to come, we invite you to explore our website and discover the latest updates on our progress.
Whether you’re a seasoned trail enthusiast or a newcomer to the world of outdoor recreation, there is something for everyone to discover on the Wisconsin River Trail. Join us on this exciting journey as we work together to create a trail that will be cherished by generations to come!
Our latest updates
Our numbers that speak
… and miles to go before we sleep.
Our numbers push us to do our best and every year we strive to raise more funds for trail construction than we did the year before.
Love grows here.
A barn dance.
A hometown legend.
Smiles that lasted long after the music ended.
𝗪𝗲 𝘀𝗵𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝘀𝘁𝗼𝗿𝗶𝗲𝘀 𝗹𝗶𝗸𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝘀 — 𝗽𝗹𝘂𝘀 𝘁𝗿𝗮𝗶𝗹 𝗻𝗲𝘄𝘀 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗺𝘂𝗻𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝘂𝗽𝗱𝗮𝘁𝗲𝘀 — 𝗶𝗻 𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗻𝗲𝘄𝘀𝗹𝗲𝘁𝘁𝗲𝗿, 𝘀𝗼 𝘆𝗼𝘂’𝗹𝗹 𝗻𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗿 𝗺𝗶𝘀𝘀 𝗮 𝗺𝗼𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁, 𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗻 𝗶𝗳 𝗶𝘁 𝗴𝗲𝘁𝘀 𝗹𝗼𝘀𝘁 𝗼𝗻 𝘀𝗼𝗰𝗶𝗮𝗹.
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So much happens along the trail — and not all of it makes it into your social feed.
Our newsletter is where it all comes together: behind-the-scenes stories, milestone updates, and reminders about events you don’t want to miss.
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📬 𝗗𝗼𝗻’𝘁 𝗺𝗶𝘀𝘀 𝗮 𝘁𝗿𝗮𝗶𝗹 𝘂𝗽𝗱𝗮𝘁𝗲 - Social media moves fast — and it’s easy for posts to get lost in the shuffle.
Our newsletter brings trail news, event invites, and ways to get involved straight to your inbox, so you’ll always be in the loop.
𝗦𝗶𝗴𝗻 𝘂𝗽 𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗲 (𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗰𝗮𝗻 𝘂𝗻𝘀𝘂𝗯𝘀𝗰𝗿𝗶𝗯𝗲 𝗮𝗻𝘆𝘁𝗶𝗺𝗲)👉 www.rfr.bz/fd50346 ... See MoreSee Less
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Still smiling after Saturday.
Our first-ever WRTO Pickleball & Cornhole/Bags Tournament is in the books—and we just want to say thank you.
To everyone who signed up, showed up, helped out, or just came to hang out: you made this happen. It was fun, a little competitive, and totally community-centered—just the way we hoped it would be.
A few special thanks are in order:
– Don and Lisa Howell for jumping in to help us put on the Cornhole/Bags side of things (we would’ve been lost without you!)
– Marsha Jones for bringing the music and the good energy
– And every single volunteer who pitched in to make the day run smoothly
And of course—congrats to our winners!
Pickleball:
1st – Drew & Taylor Frey
2nd – Brent & Kathy Robinson
3rd – Chance & Gentry Zimpel
Cornhole:
1st – Don & Lisa Howell
2nd – Michael Laxton & Reg Hudson
3rd – Stewart Trumm & Gabe Davis
Thank you again for being part of this. It was a great turnout for our first time, and we’re already looking forward to the next one.
See someone you know here? Go ahead and tag them in the photos - we'd appreciate it!
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We’ll be at the Boscobel Farmer’s Market on Saturday, August 23—catching up with neighbors, sharing what’s new, and talking trail.
📍 Boscobel Farmer’s Market
🗓 Saturday, August 23
⏰ 8:00 AM – 12:00 PM
🎤 Trail Update Presentation at 10:30 AM with Mike Reynolds & Denise Fisher
After the update, stick around for a friendly group bike ride through town—no sign-up, just show up and ride.
We’ll have breakfast sandwiches, brochures, WRTO and Bulldog doormats, and a chance to sign up for our Birthday Calendar—but more than anything, we’re here to connect.
We’ve had a lot of folks asking where things stand with the trail.
This is a chance to stop by, ask questions, and hear what’s ahead—straight from the people working on it.
Come grab a bite, share your thoughts, and say hello.
It’s your trail. Let’s talk about it.
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𝗦𝗼𝗺𝗲𝘁𝗶𝗺𝗲𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗯𝗲𝘀𝘁 𝘄𝗮𝘆 𝘁𝗼 𝘀𝘂𝗽𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗺𝘂𝗻𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝗶𝘀𝗻’𝘁 𝗹𝗼𝘂𝗱.
It’s quiet. It’s steady. It’s automatic.
$10/month that shows up like clockwork and says, "𝙄'𝙢 𝙨𝙩𝙞𝙡𝙡 𝙬𝙞𝙩𝙝 𝙮𝙤𝙪."
That’s what our Monthly Trailblazers do.
𝗪𝗮𝗻𝘁 𝘁𝗼 𝗯𝗲 𝗼𝗻𝗲 𝗼𝗳 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗺?
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It’s going to take all kinds of Trailblazers to build this path forward.
𝗔𝗻𝗱 𝘄𝗲’𝗿𝗲 𝘀𝗼 𝗴𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗳𝘂𝗹 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘆 𝘀𝗶𝗻𝗴𝗹𝗲 𝗼𝗻𝗲 𝗼𝗳 𝘆𝗼𝘂 — 𝘄𝗵𝗲𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗿 𝘆𝗼𝘂…
Show up to events
Donate your time or tools
Contribute items to the banquet
Help clean up the trail
Or simply share the word
𝙃𝙤𝙬𝙚𝙫𝙚𝙧 𝙮𝙤𝙪 𝙨𝙪𝙥𝙥𝙤𝙧𝙩 𝙒𝙍𝙏𝙊, 𝙞𝙩 𝙢𝙖𝙩𝙩𝙚𝙧𝙨 — 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙬𝙚 𝙨𝙚𝙚 𝙮𝙤𝙪.
𝗔𝗻𝗱 𝗶𝗳 𝘆𝗼𝘂'𝗿𝗲 𝗹𝗼𝗼𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗮 𝗻𝗲𝘅𝘁 𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗽?
Here are a few simple ways to keep that momentum going:
✔️ Give monthly
✔️ Invite a friend
✔️ Share, Like, Comment on WRTO posts
✔️ Keep showing up when you can
If you’re wondering how to get more involved, we’d love to hear from you.
Message us to find out what might be a good fit.
𝗧𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗲’𝘀 𝗮 𝗽𝗹𝗮𝗰𝗲 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘆𝗼𝗻𝗲 𝗼𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝘁𝗿𝗮𝗶𝗹.
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𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗪𝗶𝘀𝗰𝗼𝗻𝘀𝗶𝗻 𝗥𝗶𝘃𝗲𝗿 𝗧𝗿𝗮𝗶𝗹 𝗶𝘀𝗻’𝘁 𝗷𝘂𝘀𝘁 𝗮 𝗵𝗶𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗯𝗶𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘁𝗿𝗮𝗶𝗹—𝗶𝘁’𝘀 𝗮 𝗯𝗼𝗼𝘀𝘁 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗹𝗼𝗰𝗮𝗹 𝗲𝗰𝗼𝗻𝗼𝗺𝘆.
More visitors. More foot traffic. More reasons for people to 𝘀𝘁𝗮𝘆, 𝘀𝗽𝗲𝗻𝗱, 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗲 𝗯𝗮𝗰𝗸.
Monthly giving helps us keep building—and it shows grant funders that 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗺𝘂𝗻𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝗯𝗲𝗹𝗶𝗲𝘃𝗲𝘀 in the impact of outdoor recreation.
If you’re someone who cares about Boscobel’s future, we’d love your support.
Even $5/month makes a difference. www.rfr.bz/f6b3355
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