I am in the very early stages of planning a ride from Milwaukee to the Reedsburg/Dells area in early August. I will be with a less experienced rider with mileage approx 50 per day and want to camp the whole way. Does anybody have some input on the route north of Madison or any route input? Thanks you!

The Glacial Drumlin trail goes from near Milwaukee to near Madison. From there Wisconsin has tons of med/low traffic country roads that are great for cycling.

If you haven't already done so, pick up the Bicycling Federation of Wisconsin maps, here or here. It's a set of four and the roads are color-coded. They will aid you in route plotting. Take them along too.

Since you will be camping, check out county parks too. Some of the county parks are as nice as state parks. Other counties either do not have parks or do not allow camping in them. Even some city parks allow camping.
Here's a link to the county maps. They're ok for planning at home but their resolution stinks if printed (print is too small also).

Camp at Devils Lake and/or Mirror Lake S.P. Both are very nice. Remember, bicycle tourists cannot be turned away from a state park even if all sites are filled, which would likely be the case at Devil's Lake (2nd most popular park in the state).
Plan well and enjoy

Do you have an online source for this statement? Not doubting it, just want to see is written down somewhere. Thanks.

Your request has me wanting a legitimate reference too. A friend told me that, and he is definitely not one to make stuff up or just parrot someone else's claim (like I did ) I am awaiting his reply so bear with me (and him).

If you think about it though, bicycle tourists take up minimal space compared to motorized "campers". A cycle tourist would likely be allowed to set up a tent out of the way in a playground area, for example, if all sites were filled. I see no need to bother trying to stealth camp when this option exists. The imposition would be negligible.

Thanks for the reply. I agree with you comment about the minimal space. Guess I'll go to the closest state park with camping and ask.

On my trip, when I stopped at Merrick State Park, I told the ranger I was hoping to make it to Perrot State Park. He said it was full, but cyclists are not turned away. SO I did hear it right from a park ranger. That is proof enough for me.

I believe a ranger was where my friend heard it too but I will wait to confirm.

Here's a comment in a recent thread in Touring that is in agreement, though it's vague/subjective what "late in the day" means.
https://www.bikeforums.net/showthread...1#post12284952

My friend referenced Mr. Dave Benish, Wisconsin DNR Parks & Rec Specialist.
I haven't called him but it sounds like this is more of an unwritten rule.

I'm interested in doing a trip along the same route in June. It would be great if you were willing to share what you learn!

i've been riding from mke to waukesha lately. can take the hank arron trail from 6th and canal in mke, to 94th st. after that its a quick jog to greenfield park. hop on to the 'new berlin' trail out to waukesha. after a little creativity through waukesha , get onto the gliacal drumlin out to cottage grove. (from dousman to cottage grove the trail is crushed limestone.) not really sure after that. google map bike edition was very helpful.

We pretty much followed the route listed below when going from Winona, MN to Milwaukee back in 2006.
https://wibikeroutes.net/Winona-Milwa...Milwaukee.html

The only difference was taking Highway 33 east out of Reedsburg to Highway 12. South on Highway 12 to Pitt Road. East on Pitt Road to Fox Hill Road. South on Fox Hill Road into Baraboo.

Two of the places we camped at were Devils Lake and Sandhill Station (South of Lake Mills). Watch out for the mosquitoes at Sandhill Station.
https://dnr.wi.gov/org/land/parks/spe...slake/camping/
https://dnr.wi.gov/org/land/parks/spe...n/camping.html

It's about 75 miles from Lake Mills to Devils Lake though. There is Capitol Springs or Mendota County Park to camp in Madison.
https://dnr.wi.gov/org/land/parks/specific/capsprings/
https://www.countyofdane.com/lwrd/parks/mendota.aspx

Here is a link to the Dane County bike map.
https://madisonareampo.org/maps/DaneC...icylclists.cfm