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Things to do in Cottage Grove, WI: the Glacial Drumlin Trail, parks and Christmas in the Grove

Cottage Grove is a village a short drive east of Madison. For visitors, its best-known feature is the start of a long state bike trail, and there's a big county park with winter trails nearby. Checked with the Village of Cottage Grove, Dane County Parks, the Wisconsin DNR and Travel Wisconsin in November 2026.

Checked against official sources · Updated November 2, 2026

The Glacial Drumlin State Trail

  • Glacial Drumlin State Trail: a 52-mile rail-trail whose western end starts at County Highway N in Cottage Grove, with parking at the trailhead. It heads east toward Jefferson and Waukesha on a mix of asphalt and crushed stone and is open year-round.
  • Passes: bikers and skaters 16 and older need a Wisconsin state trail pass. The west trail office is at 608-873-9695.
  • See our getting around and running guides for more trails.

Parks

  • McCarthy Youth & Conservation County Park: a 348-acre county park nearby with prairie and wetlands, hiking, running, groomed cross-country ski, snowshoe and horse trails, a sledding hill and play equipment.
  • Village parks: Governor Taylor Nature Park, 224 W. Oak St., has picnic areas and trails; Community Park, 460 Lori Ln., has a ball diamond, basketball court and batting cage; and Dublin Park is an accessible neighborhood park with a basketball court. Fireman's Park, 220 S. Grove St., is the village's festival grounds.
  • See our hiking guide and kids guide for more.

Books and events

  • No library building yet: the village calls itself a "library desert" while it plans one. Readers use the Dane County Bookmobile, programs from the village and the Friends of the Cottage Grove Library, and Little Free Libraries in many village parks.
  • Christmas in the Grove: the village's big annual winter event, with a parade of lights on Friday night and activities Saturday. Watch Travel Wisconsin or the village calendar for this year's date.
  • Cottage Grove Firemen's Festival: an annual summer festival at Fireman's Park that raises money for the volunteer fire department.
  • See our events calendar and holiday season guide for more.

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Sources

Rules and dates can change. Check the official source before you rely on them, and suggest a correction if something is out of date.