County
Dane County
Serving Cross Plains, WI
Famous for friendliness, fluent in game day
County P south through Pine Bluff's ridges might be the prettiest game-day commute in Dane County — twenty minutes, especially worth it in October.
Population
4,104 (2020)
From Putters
About 10 miles north
Claim to fame
Black Earth Creek trout water
The Neighborhood
About Cross Plains, Wisconsin
Cross Plains calls itself "Famous for Friendliness" and backs the claim with geography: the village of 4,104 (2020) sits where Black Earth Creek — one of Wisconsin's storied trout streams — cuts between bluffs at the gateway to the Driftless Area, with the Ice Age National Scenic Trail threading the hills above town. Incorporated in 1920, it was assembled from three earlier settlements: Cross Plains, Foxville, and Christina.
Anglers' hours and bar hours were made for each other. Creek at first light, hatch by noon — and by the time the waders are drying on the tailgate, the afternoon slate is already up on our wall in Verona.
The Trip
Game day from Cross Plains
County P winds south through Pine Bluff and the ridge farms to Verona in about twenty minutes. US 14 to Madison exists, sure — but nobody ever pulled over on the Beltline to watch the leaves turn.
Scratch kitchen Wall-to-wall screens Full bar
Catch-and-release on the creek pairs correctly with catch-and-keep in our kitchen — the Friday fish fry is the lawful exception.
Keep Exploring
Nearby communities
More from Putters: Specials & events · Verona city guide · All service areas