Directions for camping weekend

These are two routes you can take from the Chicago area to Platteville.  
The trip is a little less than 200 miles from Chicago

Special note: Please note there is a road construction detour  on the tollway..  after you pass Genoa Rd exit (about mile 54) exit at Irene Road (first exit after oasis) make rt on Irene and then left on rt 20... 
continue on 20 until you get to Cherry Valley... follow signs to Freeport 20 west and you will back on route


The Galena Route:
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Take Northwest Tollway (90) West to about the 62 mile marker.

Get off 90 at Route 20 just as you get into Rockford
and take 20 all the way through Galena (Route 20 and 84 merge at some point)

After Galena, 20/84 will split.  Take 84 north toward Wisconsin (Hazel Green, Cuba City)

84 turns into 80 at the state border, contuinue north into Platteville (80 merges with 81 along the way)

Turn left on Main St (County B) and continue through Platteville on County B and back into the country. Go another 8 miles or so.
  
Just after you cross the bridge over the Platte River (this is the second little bridge you'll pass in this stretch) make a left at 4455 County Road B.  

Go past the house and through the open red gate and drive slowly down the dirt/gravel road for about a mile – there will be fork in the road.  Go left at the fork into the camping area.

Park in the field facing the corn and pitch your tent on high ground, not low ground or you will be flooded if it rains.  There are camping spots on the field, near the rock pile in front of the cabin, and up the hill from the cabin.  Depending on how late you plan on staying up you should chose your tent spot, as the fire pit area is prone to loud drunk people shouting crazy shit all night.

Donate $20 and sign the waiver before you forget and start freaking out.


The Stage Coach Trail Route:
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1. Northwest Tollway (90) to Route 20 West (Freeport exit – Magic Waters) about the 62 mile marker.

2. Route 20 (watch your speed – the smokies can be bad along this road) go west for about 38-40 miles.

(About 4 miles past Eleroy – look for Stage Coach Trail sign to Lena)

3. Right, (northwest) on Lena Road aka Stage Coach Trail through Lena and Nora until you get to Warren. 

(Note if you miss Stage Coach Trail – just continue on 20 until route 78 and take that North to Warren. 

4. At Warren turn right (north) onto route 78 North.

5. About 2 miles north of Warren you will come to County Road W. 

6. Turn left (west) on County Road W for about 5 miles to County Road P.

7. Turn right (north) on County Road P.

8. P will turn into Hwy 23 when you cross Highway 11.

9. Continue on 23 for 6 miles to Hwy 81.

11 Left (west) on 81.

12 Take 81 West through Platteville (about 22 miles) until you get to County Road B

(Note: County Road B is Main St)

13. Left (West) on County Road B, 8 miles (Look for numbered orange Volunteer Fire 

Dept signs along the way.) 

14. Just after you cross bridge over the Platte River make a left at 4455 County Road B.

15. Go through the open red gate past the house and drive slowly down an unending dirt/gravel road for about a mile – there will be fork in the road. Left is the camping field. Right is the cabin.

16. Park in the field facing the corn and pitch your tent on high ground, not low ground or you will be flooded if it rains.  There are camping spots on the field, near the rock pile in front of the cabin, and up the hill from the cabin.  Depending on how late you plan on staying up you should chose your tent spot, as the fire pit area is prone to loud drunk people shouting crazy shit all night.

17. Donate $20 before you forget and start freaking out.



The phone number at the cabin is 608-763-2253.
My home phone is 773-862-0074 and mobile is 773-671-0074 (cell phones don't work so good there)


DW