Western Coulees DNR Master Plan

At a high level, the Western Coulees and Ridges Regional Master Plan continues a long-standing pattern within Wisconsin DNR planning where mountain biking is treated less as a legitimate and manageable recreation opportunity, and more as a potential maintenance issue, ecological concern, or user conflict to avoid.

That matters because master plans establish the long-term framework for what is, and is not, considered appropriate for recreation on these properties. If mountain biking is not intentionally included in the vision, future expansion becomes significantly more difficult.

Throughout the document, hiking, equestrian use, snowmobiling, paddling, hunting, fishing, and camping are all discussed as established and supported recreation types. Mountain biking, however, is rarely discussed proactively. Instead, it is largely framed around:

• erosion concerns
• trail sustainability concerns
• maintenance burden
• ecological sensitivity
• user conflicts
• steep terrain challenges

The plan specifically states that developing mountain bike trail systems at properties such as Wildcat Mountain State Park would be difficult due to steep terrain, environmental concerns, maintenance limitations, and existing trail uses.

The issue with that framing is that modern mountain bike trail design has evolved significantly over the last 20+ years. Sustainable contour-based singletrack, directional trail systems, and purpose-built natural surface cycling infrastructure are now common across the country, including in environmentally sensitive and mountainous terrain far more challenging than what exists in the Driftless region.

Opportunities Throughout the Driftless

The Driftless Area is arguably one of the best natural landscapes in the Midwest for sustainable mountain bike trail development, yet this plan largely approaches mountain biking as an incompatible use rather than a manageable one.

Wildcat Mountain State Park stands out as one of the clearest examples.

The property already supports:

• extensive trail infrastructure
• equestrian trail use
• snowmobile use
• campgrounds
• paddling access
• multiple developed recreation areas

At the same time, the plan dismisses mountain bike trail development without seriously exploring modern trail design approaches or alternative layouts that could minimize user conflicts and resource impacts.

The plan also references exploring a future multiuse trail connection between Wildcat Mountain State Park and Kickapoo Valley Reserve, but mountain biking is not clearly identified as part of that conversation. That connection has the potential to become one of the most significant recreation opportunities in the Driftless region if approached intentionally and collaboratively.

The Coulee Experimental State Forest (CESF) may represent the single greatest missed opportunity within the plan area.

CESF contains:

• nearly 3,000 acres
• significant oak forest coverage
• steep Driftless terrain
• existing primitive road infrastructure
• relatively limited recreation development pressure

Despite that, mountain biking is almost entirely absent from the discussion surrounding the property.

Given the property’s identity as an “Experimental State Forest,” it seems like an ideal location to explore:

• sustainable natural surface trail development
• recreation and forestry coexistence
• volunteer stewardship partnerships
• low-impact recreation access models
• pilot projects for modern trail management approaches

The Economic Side of Mountain Biking

Another major deficiency throughout the plan is the lack of meaningful discussion surrounding:

• recreation demand trends
• cycling tourism economics
• partnerships with trail organizations
• younger user demographics
• regional recreation connectivity

This is particularly important because mountain biking has become a major driver of outdoor tourism and economic activity throughout the Midwest and nationally. Communities that intentionally embrace well-designed natural surface trail systems are seeing measurable economic returns through tourism, events, campground use, local business support, and year-round outdoor recreation growth.

As you all know, there are already strong organizations and allies that can be positioned to help support this conversation, including:

• ORA Trails
• Vernon Trails
• local tourism organizations
• Wisconsin Bike Fed
• Wisconsin Office of Outdoor Recreation

It is important that feedback during this process remains constructive, professional, and solutions oriented. This is not about forcing mountain biking onto every property or every existing trail system. It is about ensuring that natural surface cycling is recognized as a legitimate recreation opportunity that deserves intentional consideration within the long-term recreation vision for the Driftless region. Afterall, it’s 2026, and advancements in modern trail design and construction have come along way over the past 30 years, and participation continues to grow. Look at the robust youth mountain bike programs in the region as an example of the growth.

Some clear actions that could be encouraged through public feedback include:

• Developing a more intentional regional strategy for natural surface cycling opportunities within the Driftless region
• Exploring pilot mountain bike trail opportunities at Coulee Experimental State Forest
• Including mountain biking more directly in future discussions surrounding Wildcat Mountain State Park and Kickapoo Valley Reserve connectivity
• Expanding collaboration with local trail organizations and recreation partners
• Recognizing modern sustainable trail design practices within future DNR planning efforts
• Better evaluating the economic and tourism value associated with natural surface trail systems

If these conversations are absent from the planning framework now, future opportunities will continue to be excluded or deferred by default.

Featured photo is a view of the Mississippi River and bluffs from Perrot State Park. Photo Credit: Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources