A Runner's Guide to the Scuppernong Trails

A gem of southeastern Wisconsin

The Scuppernong trails are a system of beautiful, wide trails on County Highway ZZ just east of Highway 67 north of the Village of Eagle. There are three trails plus a short Observation Loop (descriptions provided by the DNR):

• Red Loop, intermediate, 2.3 miles: Short and narrow with steep terrain is the only way to describe this loop. You’ll pass through pine plantations and hardwood forest.

• Orange Loop, intermediate, 4.1 miles: This loop will take you deeper into the hardwood forest.

• Green Loop, advanced, 4.9 miles: About halfway on this loop you will pass the edge of the Pinewoods Campground. As you continue through the pines, walk quietly down these old fire lands. When making your final descent from the ridge to the parking lot, you will experience a roller coaster of hills that you won’t soon forget.

• Observation Loop: Enjoy a seat on this overlook with views of Ottawa Lake and the surrounding area.

A PDF of the trail map is available here.

Scuppernong at a Glance:

Parking: Excellent. Large Lot.

Restrooms: Yes. Vault Toilets.

Terrain: Wide trails with rolling hills. A few steep climbs and descents. Rocks and roots are present but so are lengths of pine needle-blanketed flats. Lots of variety.

Location Perks: The Ice Age Trail runs through Scuppernong, intersecting part of the Green and Orange loops. When the weather is right, Scuppernong's Observation Loop is beautiful.

Pay Area: Yes. Wisconsin State Park pass required.

Restrictions: No. As of 2017, the Scuppernong trails are no longer groomed for skiing and are open to hikers and snowshoers all winter. But do exercise caution and courtesy in winter: even though they are not groomed, some cross-country skiers do still use the trails.

Hunting allowed: Hunting is allowed. Blaze orange is recommended during all hunting seasons.

Getting There:

Trailhead Address: S58 W35820 County Rd ZZ, Dousman, WI 53118

Scuppernong is about a 30 minute drive from Milwaukee and about an hour from Madison.

Google Maps

The Terrain:

Scuppernong's iconic tall pines welcome you as you enter the parking lot, and the trailhead is easy to find from the parking area. The Scuppernong Trails are wide, offering nice climbs and descents and some rolling hills. The hills are not as relentless or as steep as some other local trails, and they are well-spaced, making Scuppernong a very beginner-friendly trail for newer trail runners. The width of the trails makes Scuppernong a great choice for a run with friends. Rocks and roots on some parts of the trail will have you keeping an eye on your feet, but other parts of the trail are far more forgiving.

Sharing the Trail:

Although the Scuppernong Trails are no longer groomed for cross country skiing, some skiers still use the trails. As runners (or hikers, or snowshoers) we should do our best to avoid running on the skiers tracks. The trails are wide enough that there should be plenty of room alongside the tracks.

It is not unusual to see hunters actually on the trail during hunting season. It is always advisable to wear blaze orange during any of Wisconsin's major hunting seasons. Scuppernong isn't the most popular location for hunters, but it wouldn't be unusual to spot a hunter on the trails during gun season.

Trail Navigation:

The Scuppernong Trails are delightfully easy to navigate IF you are paying attention. The trails are well marked, with no confusing switchbacks or intersections. The only place it is truly easy to misnavigate is S4 on the map where the Green and Orange loops part ways. But the good news is that if you take a wrong turn, all trails (with the notable section of the well-marked Ice Age Trail) lead back to the parking lot.

Extras

The short Observation Loop (0.25 miles) is easy to skip, but on a clear day it is worth the short trek. The Loop leads to a bench that provides an absolutely beautiful view. It is particularly special if you can catch it during a good sunrise or sunset.

During the holidays, you'll notice a decorated tree along the Green Loop. Look for it around 3-4 miles in.

What the Heck is a Scuppernong?

A Scuppernong is a grape native to the Southern United States, which makes Scuppernong a super strange name for a trail system in Wisconsin. But the origin of the word lends a clue: the Scuppernong grape is named for an Algonquin word askuponong, meaning "place of the askupo," which is the sweet bay tree. Our Scuppernong trail, according to Wisconsin DNR literature, is named for a Ho Chunk word meaning "sweet scented land." Sweet!

Hoot Rating

A trail's Hoot Rating is my totally subjective opinion of the joy of running on a particular trail. Again, this is a subjective rating - my least favorite trail might be someone else's crown jewel, so take this rating with a grain of salt. But whatever the rating, I will always try to explain my reason for it.

Here's the scale:

One Hoot - This trail did not spark joy. It probably sparked a little misery. Not recommended for trail running unless you are an absolute completest, and even then you might think twice.

Two Hoots - A Two Hoot trail isn't awful, and if you are a completest you'll be happy you ran it. But you won't be calling up your friends or making plans to go back anytime soon.

Three Hoots - A solid trail. Nothing terribly remarkable, yet nothing awful. It is the plain yogurt of the trail world - adequate, but you probably wouldn't make it your first choice.

Four Hoots - This is a great trail. If your friends invite you to this trail, you wouldn't hesitate to join them. It may not be perfect, but it is a lot of fun.

Five Hoots - What a fantastic trail! When you want to "wow" an out-of-state friend with a great Wisconsin trail, this one will come to mind easily. It would be hard to imagine a way to improve on this trail. A Five Hoot rating is reserved for only the best trails.

Scuppernong's Hoot Rating:

Five Hoots. The Scuppernong trails have so much to offer. Although on the shorter side (the longest trail being just about 5 miles), the Ice Age Trail intersects the looped trails, offering a gateway to lots of additional mileage. Parking is easy, and the smaller loops allow for an easy "aid station" at your car for those long runs. This is a great trail to catch the sunrise peeking through the tall pines, or a sunset from the bench at the Observation Loop.