Easily Accessible Outdoor Recreation In Driftless Wisconsin

Featured Photo by Dave Hoefler

Easily Accessible Outdoor Recreation In Driftless Wisconsin

Driftless Wisconsin

When traveling Driftless Wisconsin there are plenty of beautiful, natural outdoor areas to stop in and explore. The Wisconsin Driftless Region on the northern leg of the river road is one of the most amazing areas in this region with endless outdoor places to view and explore the true, untouched beauty of the Driftless. With some outdoor attractions being more accessible than others, here are a few recommendations for easily accessible outdoor recreation in the Driftless Region that can be enjoyed and experienced by everyone.

Photo by Brett Patzke

Scenic Road Tours

A leisurely drive through the Driftless Region following a scenic road is one of the easiest outdoor recreational activities for exploring the area. Drive through the countryside winding through farmland, natural areas, small towns and alongside Driftless rivers to view a lot of the region in a short period of time. There are many Driftless Wisconsin road tour experiences, but one good choice is to stay on the Great River Road, which is a National Scenic Byway. This scenic route follows alongside the Mississippi River and takes you past towering bluffs, agricultural lands, and bottomlands. You are likely to see spectacular views of the natural landscape and maybe even spot some wildlife.

Photo by Dave Hoefler

Overlooks

Driving up to a scenic overlook, you can get some of the best views of the Driftless Region from a birds eye view. In Ontario, Highway 33 will take you to the top of Wildcat Mountain where you can get out and observe a beautiful view of the Kickapoo River Valley and the glistening Kickapoo River. Wauzeka is home to a scenic overlook on Highway 131, featuring stunning panoramic views of the Kickapoo and Wisconsin River valleys. You can also expect some of the best Driftless views on top of the bluffs along the Great River Road. Some popular spots include Old Settlers Overlook in Stoddard and Wyalusing State Park near Prairie Du Chien.

Photo by Richard Burlton

Parks

The Driftless Region parks offer opportunities for easily experiencing and exploring the area and all it has to offer. Wildcat Mountain State Park features over 25 miles of hiking trails overlooking the Kickapoo River. The park has amazing views of the Driftless, including an observation point and picnic areas that overlook the river valley. Esofea/Rentz Memorial Park is another option for exploring the region. Enjoy over 3 miles of hiking trails, a picnic shelter, and a spring trout pond, plus large open areas for a variety of outdoor activities.

Photo by The Digital Marketing Collaboration

Campgrounds

There are an abundance of areas for camping in the Driftless Region at state parks, reserves, and private & municipal campgrounds. Wyalusing State Park has a very accessible state park campground with a wide variety of sites to meet everyone’s needs, including a modern lodge complex. Blackhawk Park near De Soto and Beauford T. Anderson Park in Soldiers Grove are two other great places for camping that offer the experience of the Driftless Region without traveling too far into the wilderness.