You don’t have to drive far to find real singletrack. Within an hour of Evansville, there are a handful of parks worth putting on your list — from mellow flow trails that are great for newer riders to technical terrain that’ll keep more experienced riders honest.
Here’s a rundown of four that are worth the trip.
Rockport Park, Janesville
Distance from Evansville: About 30 minutes
This is the closest option and a solid starting point if you haven’t ridden dirt trails before. Rockport Park in Janesville has several miles of singletrack built around cross-country ski trails, with two main loops (east and west) connected by a trail in the middle. The terrain is mostly bench cuts on hillsides along streams — not overly technical, but there are real climbs and descents. It’s well-signed and easy to explore on your own.
One thing to know: the trails do double duty as ski trails in winter, so the tread is generally in good shape. Stay off when it’s wet.
Trailhead parking is on Rockport Road, just east of the railroad tracks. You can also park in Rockport Park near the pool for easy access to the trails.
Palmer Urban Mountain Bike Park (The PUMP), Janesville
Distance from Evansville: About 35 minutes
Also in Janesville, the PUMP is a purpose-built mountain bike park in the southern section of Palmer Park. This one has something for almost every level. The east and west flow loops are great for beginners — smooth, well-shaped, fun to ride. If you’re ready to push it further, there are jump lines with progressively bigger features: the intermediate line has tabletops and berms, and the expert line incorporates wooden features and rock gardens that’ll get your attention.
The park also has a dirt pump track, which is a great place to work on balance and timing without committing to a full trail loop. Take your BMX bike and hone those park skills.
The Janesville Velo Club, the City of Janesville, and Michael’s Cycles built this place with community support and they maintain it really well. Check trail conditions before you go.
Parking is on the south side of Palmer Drive opposite the dog park. Fun fact: the trails are named after cars manufactured at the GM plant in Janesville.
CamRock County Park, Cambridge
Distance from Evansville: About 45 minutes
CamRock is the most well-rounded option on this list. The trail system runs between the villages of Cambridge and Rockdale along Koshkonong Creek, and the variety of terrain is hard to beat. You’ve got wide, flowing trails through prairie grass and open fields on one end of the spectrum, and tight, technical singletrack through the woods on the other. The trails near Shelter 3 in particular is the real deal — 150 feet of elevation change, rocks, roots, and sections that require full concentration.
The trails are built and maintained by Capital Off-Road Pathfinders (CORP), an all-volunteer organization that does excellent work keeping things rideable. There are trailheads in both Cambridge and Rockdale, and both ends have spots to grab food or a drink after your ride, which is a nice bonus.
CamRock requires a MTB Permit for riders 16 years and older. For trail conditions, check CORP Trails or TrailBot.
Saris Trails, Fitchburg
Distance from Evansville: About 35 minutes
This one is a bit of a hidden gem. The Saris trails are tucked behind the Saris company building at 5253 Verona Road in Fitchburg, just off the Military Ridge bike path. Originally built for company employees, they opened to the public in 2024 and are free to use. You’ll need to sign a waiver before riding. There’s a kiosk at the entrance with a QR code for the waivers.
The park has an easy flow trail around the perimeter and a couple of jump lines for riders who want more challenge. It’s a smaller park, but the setting is nice — shady and wooded, feels further from the road than it actually is. Good option if you’re combining it with a ride on the Military Ridge path or just want a shorter outing.
Managed by CORP. Check conditions at TrailBot or CORP Trails before heading out.
Before you go
A few things worth knowing before your first trip to any of these parks:
Check conditions first. All four of these parks ask you to stay off the trails when it’s wet or recently rained. Riding wet trails damages them and makes the experience worse anyway. TrailBot has real-time condition updates for most of these.
Buy a trail pass. Most of the mountain bike trails in Dane County require a permit for riders 16 years old and up. We sell state trail passes at the shop, but the mountain bike passes need to be purchased online.
Tire choice matters. If you’ve been riding mostly pavement or gravel, you’ll want more aggressive tread for singletrack. Not sure what you need? Come in and we’ll take a look at your setup.
Start with the flow trails. Even if you’re an experienced road or gravel cyclist, singletrack has its own skill set. The beginner loops at Palmer and Rockport are genuinely fun and a good way to build confidence before moving up.
If you have questions about getting set up for trail riding, stop in. We can point you toward the right bike, the right tires, or just talk through what to expect if it’s your first time on dirt.