Switchgrass Trail
Twenty-four and a half miles of limestone singletrack turn Wilson Reservoir’s open shoreline into a problem of traction, line choice, wind, heat, and honest turnaround decisions.
Artwork inspired by William Dickerson
Switchgrass is a year-round hiking and mountain-biking system at Wilson State Park. Its linked routes cross exposed prairie, rocky shelves, tight turns, repeated short climbs, and reservoir-facing slopes; the challenge comes from technical surface and accumulated effort rather than alpine elevation. The official trailhead is listed at N38°54.965, W98°30.549, and a state-park vehicle permit is required.
Choose a loop before leaving the trailhead and keep the official map available offline. Riders should carry water, tube or plug kit, pump, and a basic tool; hikers should expect bicycles and stay alert on blind bends. Wet tread, summer heat, strong wind, limited shade, and sparse bailout options can make a nominally moderate distance consequential.
- System length
- 24.5 miles of linked hiking and mountain-bike trail
- Official trailhead
- N38°54.965, W98°30.549
- Access
- Year-round; Wilson State Park vehicle permit required
Quick guide
- Choose by consequence
- Match distance, technical rock, exposure, heat, wind, and daylight—not mileage alone
- Protect the trail
- Turn around when tread is soft or tires begin leaving a rut
Build a Switchgrass loop around skill, conditions, and a firm turnaround
- Make the route decision at the map
- Begin at the Wilson State Park trailhead map: identify the exact linked loop, direction, mileage, decision junctions, and return option.
- Test the surface early
- Use the opening limestone and turns to check braking, traction, pedal clearance, and comfort.
- Read reservoir exposure
- Check wind, heat, water, daylight, fatigue, and repair supplies before the farthest Switchgrass junction.
- Share and preserve the tread
- Watch for hikers and bicycles before blind turns, announce yourself, and yield as posted.
Good to know
“Open year-round” describes the operating season, not a promise that the tread is rideable every day. After rain or thaw, the responsible visit may end at the trailhead.
Notice these
- 24.5-mile linked system
- Limestone shelves and tight turns
- Wilson Reservoir exposure
- Repeated short technical climbs