John Muir Trails Mountain Biking Trails

This system is made of fast track with some technical spots and challenging climbs. A lot of effort has been put into creating many miles of single track in this trail system over the years. More recent additions include a bike wash station, and changing rooms separate from the vault toilets. Other amenities include an information kiosk with maps and other info, a drinking fountain, fire ring, benches, many picnic tables, and a pavilion with a charcoal grill. There are no trash cans at this park, however, so please pack out what you pack in.

With the exception of a few very short sections, all trails in the John Muir / Connector / Emma Carlin trail system are ONE WAY ONLY There are signs and maps at the trailhead and at every trail intersection to point you in the right direction.

Please note that all riders 16 and older must have and carry a trail pass with them, and produce it upon request by the DNR. And lastly, ALL riders should wear a helmet.

Now on to the good stuff:

For Beginner riders, there is a very flat, easy-rolling half-mile trail through widely spaced pine trees, behind and to the right of the restrooms.

Test and build your bike handling on our Skills course, which has two wooden berms, several wooden skinnies, a small rock garden, and a few small drops and up/down ramps. The entrance is the wooden bridge by the bike wash station.

Next is the Brown loop, great for novice riders who have outgrown the Beginner loop. It is approximately 1.7 miles, with only a few small climbs, and an intro to rocks and roots. More advanced riders also use the Brown as a warmup or cooldown.

Step up to the White loop, coming in at just under 3 miles. It has fun, flowy downhills, long, rocky climbs, and a few other tricks.

One of the first trails to dry out after a rain is the 4.8-mile Purple loop, also known as Rainy Dew. It bypasses the Southern loops that stay wet longer, so we can open the Northern half for riding.

Technical riders might enjoy the Orange loop, 3.45 miles of challenging terrain. Roots, rocks, narrow track, climbs, and descents. This one has it all, the closest thing to a black diamond trail you'll find at Muir. If this isn't enough, head over to Emma Carlin.

Longer, but less technical, is our Green loop, at 8.25 miles. It does have some roots, rocks, hills, and deep sand, but is considered an intermediate trail.

Our longest single loop is the Blue loop, which is approximately 11 miles. It offers switchbacks, rocky, root laden terrain and a series of climbs to get your heart pounding.

The 1-mile Gnome loop begins and ends at MR13 "Crossroads" on the Blue/Green/Purple trails, taking you down to the Connector Trail at Hwy H, and all the way to Emma Carlin if you have the time and the legs.

All-in-all John Muir is a great trail system. These aren't the most technical trails in the state, but there are a total of over 27 miles of trails in the system with many loops to choose from. If that's not enough, try a "Big-Big", which is the John Muir Blue loop to MR13, Gnome loop to Connector to Emma Carlin, Emma Green loop, Connector back to Gnome to MR13 and finishing in the lot after 33 miles.

John Muir may be the most visited trail system in the state, with good reason; it's well maintained, and provides something for everyone. If you're in Southern Wisconsin, make sure you ride John Muir.