About Vernon Trails

Vernon Trails is a non-profit organization committed to developing and maintaining roadways, sustainable trails, and outdoor recreational opportunities for human powered users.

On the road:

Over the years, Vernon Trails has developed safe routes for riders of all abilities. We have utilized these routes for multiple Vernon Trails events. We hold bike tours, including Syttende Mai and the Butter Churn. We have partnered with the Kickapoo Kicker and the Viroqua Triathlon. We were instrumental in raising funds, public excitement, and awareness to ensure that the Coon Prairie Trail was built in 2011. The Coon Prairie Trail is a paved 5-mile multi-use path connecting the communities of Viroqua and Westby. Vernon Trails became a co-funder by pledging money for the original construction of the project as well as long term maintenance budget.

photo by Diane Callaway

Off the road:

In addition to the promotion of our excellent roadways, Vernon Trails has designed, developed, and created over 25 miles of diverse shared-use, natural surface singletrack trails in Vernon and Crawford counties. We have built on private and public lands and have utilized volunteers from all over our community. Vernon Trails is also a large supporter of the Kickapoo Valley Reserve. We participate in KVR’s Adopt-A-Trail program and hold annual trail cleaning days.

Vernon Trails is a sponsor of the Snowflake Junior Ski Club, a program that teaches the young people in the region both styles of Nordic skiing, skating and classic. We are involved with designing and grooming cross country ski trails at Viroqua Hills and Snowflake Ski Club. Vernon Trails also sponsors the Kickapoo Valley Reserve’s Dam Phunski, a scenic classic and freestyle cross country ski course .

Vernon Trails is a sponsor of Camp Bluedog Mountain Bike Camp. We have had a wonderful working relationship with Sugar Creek Bible Camp over the past eight years while hosting the biggest mountain bike camp for kids in the Midwest. Under the guidance of VT Trail Crew members, 5 miles of singletrack has been built and is maintained regularly.

In 2013, Vernon Trails partnered with the Viroqua VFW to develop a disc golf course on their 40+ acres. Disc golf is the newest way Vernon Trails is working to create access and build sustainable recreation in the Driftless Area.