2017 marked the 50^th anniversary of the Elroy-Sparta State Trail which is North America’s first Rails to Trails project.  This project began a ‘rails to trails’ movement across the state of Wisconsin as well as the United States.  Currently Wisconsin has 40 state trails of which 36 are rails to trails which total more than 2,000 miles of trails.  Nationwide per the national Rails-to-Trails Conservancy, there are more than 1,900 rails to trails covering more than 22,000 miles.

Many organizations throughout Wisconsin are planning events to celebrate the 50^th anniversary of the rails to trails project in Wisconsin.  The Wisconsin DNR has declared the weekend of June 6^th as National Trails Day.  On this weekend all fees for trail passes, park and forest admission stickers, fishing licenses and out-of-state ATV passes are waived for the weekend.

Many events are currently being planned in towns along the Elroy-Sparta Trail on that day as well.  Also a celebration will take place at the Elroy-Sparta State Trail headquarters in Kendall, Wisconsin on June 6^th.  The climax of the day will begin at 2:00 pm which will include a ribbon cutting and re-dedication of the Elroy-Sparta State Trail, along with keynote speaker former Wisconsin Governor Tommy Thompson who was instrumental in the formation of the Elroy-Sparta State Trail.

This would be a great weekend to enjoy the scenic beauty of the Elroy-Sparta State Trail and spend a relaxing weekend at Amil’s Inn which is located in the heart of the Elroy-Sparta State Trail.

To keep abreast of the activities and learn more at https://dnr.wisconsin.gov/topic/parks/elroysparta