Events

Visit our Train Depot in Ridgeway

The depot and caboose in downtown Ridgeway are open the first Sunday of the month, June through September, from 12-3 pm. Stop by to learn about railroading and the history of the communities along the trail.

Guided Trail Hikes

Group guided nature walks on the trail near Riley can be scheduled with Meg Skinner who is a Certified Volunteer Naturalist.  Meg has over 20 years of experience guiding large and small groups of children, youth, and adults.  She helps participants appreciate the geologic, cultural, and natural history of the area where famed ecologist, Aldo Leopold, conducted pioneering game conservation research.  

Contact Meg at [email protected] if you would like to schedule a hike for your family, a group of friends, a Scout troop or a school class. 

Photo by Friends of MRT

Mt. Horeb Scavenger Hunt 2024

Looking for a peaceful way to spend your Saturday morning in July? Join us for a scavenger hunt, Saturday, July 6 (rain date July 7), 2024, from 8:30 to 12:00 on the Military Ridge Trail.

Meet at the Waltz Park Shelter, 411 Brian Street, Mount Horeb, and pick up your scavenger hunt check list. Head east on the trail looking for items on the check list or just enjoy a walk on the trail.

When you are done, come back to the shelter and enjoy ice cream and the playground. Ice cream will be served until 12 noon but you are welcome to start the scavenger hunt any time after 8:30 and before 12.

​All ages are welcome. Children under 12 must be accompanied by an adult. We hope to see you there. This event is sponsored by the Friends of Military Ridge Trail.

2024 Events Calendar

Past Events

Monthly Meetings

The Friends meet on the second Monday of the month at 5:30pm at the Ridgeway Depot. In winter, meetings are held at the Friends of Blue Mounds State Park Shelter. Meetings are open to the public. Minutes can be found here.

Annual Meeting

The Annual Meeting is held within 30 days before or after February 1.  Officers are elected at the Annual Meeting.  Guests are welcome to attend.

​Free Fun Weekend

The first weekend in June is designated as a Free Fun Weekend when all State Park entrance fees are waived. Click here for details.

Horribly Hilly Hundreds

The Horribly Hilly Hundreds is a bicycle event that starts and ends at Blue Mounds State Park. This is a fundraiser for the Friends of Blue Mound State Park (FBMSP).

Join the Friends of Military Ridge Trail who provide a refreshment station for the bikers at a park in Black Earth. Click here to volunteer

Trail Work Projects

Help us out! All trail users are encouraged to take along a trash bag and pick up litter to help us keep the trail clean. Every little bit helps!

Occasionally there are activities that provide opportunity for volunteers to make physical improvements in the trail for all users.  These activities are supervised and/or approved by DNR employees and include such things as clearing brush that is too close to the trail, control of invasive species and clearing growth to provide a vista opening for users of the trail.  In the spring, clean-up of winter's litter on the trail is scheduled.  Watch the calendar for details.

Friends working near Klevenville to clear vistas where marsh marigolds bloom in the spring. Photo by Friends of MRT

Groups with DNR Permits to Use Trail

School groups, senior citizen groups, and other community groups can apply to the Wisconsin DNR for permission to use the trail at a specific time.  Click here for more information.