In the fall of 1960, a group of ten volunteer Boy Scout Leaders met with the purpose of studying the possibilities of establishing an historic trail in the Milwaukee area. As a result of some research on the progress of similar programs in the states of Illinois, Indiana, and Ohio, several more meetings were held. It was decided that this group would incorporate into an organization for the purpose of assisting in the development and maintenance of public hiking trails, and to foster the education of the public, especially the young people, in the beauties and wonders of nature, both physically and mentally. As a result, Badger Trails, Inc. was incorporated and became effective June 22, 1961. Mr. Erwin E. Shambeau was elected the first President of the organization.
Badger Trails, Inc., in cooperation with the State of Wisconsin and the Kettle Moraine State Forest, promoted and helped to develop an 18-mile trail through the northern section of the Kettle Moraine State Forest, which had outstanding exhibits of glacial activity. After some cautious and slow beginnings, with some volunteer experimental groups numbering several hundred, a grand opening of the trail was planned for October 14, 1961. And a very successful opening it was, with over 500 hikers and campers enjoying the outdoor facilities of the trail. The trail, now known as the Kettle Moraine Glacial Trail, has continued to be a success. In 1962, the national council sanctioned the Kettle Moraine Glacial Trail as an official trail of the Boy Scouts of America.
After that great success, the members of Badger Trails decided to work with the Wisconsin Conservation Commission to promote another trail in Devil's Lake State Park in the Baraboo range of central Wisconsin. Here were found three things of outstanding interest to young people: first, the rock outcroppings are the oldest exposed rocks in the United States; second, the area is on the terminal edge of the Wisconsin Glacier which enclosed two deep gorges of about 400 feet to form the beautiful Devil's Lake and third, there are evidences of long abandoned villages and numerous effigy mounds in the area. All of these are used in the program of education on the 14-mile trail. Following the successful implementation plan of the Glacial Trail, the Devil's Lake Trail was hike initially by many groups independently, and on October 19, 1963, Badger Trails hosted a "Grand Opening" of the trail with 1200 hikers in attendance.
Over the years, the members of Badger Trails worked with various governmental agencies to expand the public trails in Wisconsin. During the early 1970's they sponsored the Lumberjack Trail near Wabeno. The "Grand Opening" was June 12, 1976. This trail did not have the success of the other two, and the anniversary hikes were abandoned after a few years.
Badger Trails, Inc. continues to host yearly hikes on both Glacial Trail and the Devil's Lake Trail and in 1999 incorporated the Root River Trail into the events we sponsor.
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