Kickapoo Valley Association

Promoting Environmentally-Friendly Tourism within the Beautiful Kickapoo River Valley

 © 2006-2008 KVA
Last Update 08 May 2008

The Kickapoo River Valley

Whether you are a canoeist, a trout fisherman, a birder, a botanist, or just someone who appreciates stunning natural and rural beauty, traveling the Kickapoo River, its feeder streams, and its surrounding valleys is a special experience.

                                                                           Photo Courtesy of Susan Sachsenmaier
At 125 miles, the Kickapoo is the longest tributary of the Wisconsin River, meandering from the town of Wilton at its source to Wauzeka, where it joins the Wisconsin.  The proverbial crow flying between these two towns would only cover 65 miles.  But Kickapoo is an Algonquin word meaning “one who goes there, then here,” and this is a highly accurate description of a river that manages to flow north, south, east, and west for some portion of its length.  And as it meanders, it traces a slow-moving path through cliffs dotted with rare plant species, through forests that are home to over 100 species of breeding birds, and through a rural countryside where traditional dairy farming, organic farming, and Amish farming are time-honored ways of life for local families.

The Kickapoo flows through the area of southwestern Wisconsin known as the Driftless Area.  The region was missed by the glaciers when they covered most of the rest of the state, and represents what the whole state must have looked like over 10,000 years ago.  Because glaciers did not change its natural course, many geologists point to the Kickapoo as one of the oldest river systems in the world.

Rising some 350 feet above the river are the Ocooch Mountains, named for a small band of Indians called the Ocoche who once made these hills home.  The “mountains” are really a region of forested hills, lush valleys, and sandstone cliffs that stretch beyond the Kickapoo River watershed roughly from Spring Green on the east to Viroqua on the west.  You won’t find the Ocooch Mountains on a Wisconsin map, but that’s immaterial.  What you will find is that nearly every deep valley has a pristine, cool stream running through it, most often filled with prolific brown trout and sometimes with native brook trout.  A true fisherman’s paradise.

A trip down the Kickapoo can be accomplished by canoe (plan on more than one day to traverse the entire length), by automobile along State Highway 131 (don’t miss the side trips), or by biking (pedal or motorized).  Beginning at Wilton, the river is slightly more than a stream.  This small picturesque farming community marks the center of the Elroy-Sparta State Bike Trail, and provides shops, restaurants, and two campgrounds.  At Ontario, the river has carved out vertical sandstone cliffs covered with mosses, ferns, hemlocks, and wildflowers, even some rare and endangered species.  Ontario is a popular spot to launch a canoe, your own or one rented from a local livery.  Here, on a steep ridge overlooking the valley, you will find the 3,600-acre Wildcat Mountain State Park, which offers 25 miles of hiking, riding and cross-country ski trails with spectacular views.  Well-equipped camp sites for families, groups, and equestrians are available.

                       
Between Ontario and La Farge stretches the 8,600-acre Kickapoo Valley Reserve.  Its visitor center provides interactive displays and a “story fire” corner where one can listen and learn about how the Reserve came to be, and its unique natural attributes.  The reserve offers a variety of recreation: fishing and hunting, horseback riding and hiking trails, cross-country skiing and snowshoeing, canoeing, and camping.  It also offers lively educational programs supporting environmental learning. 

In the center of the reserve on its western edge is Rockton, another popular canoe launching site and meeting place.  A little further northwest, the Cashton area is known for its large Amish community.  Amish furniture, quilts, crafts, and candies can be purchased directly from the makers (remember, no Sunday sales), or at local shops featuring Amish goods.  A little farther to the west is a village that unabashedly celebrates its Scandinavian heritage.  Westby’s spring Syttende Mai festival is a true Norwegian folk fest, and its winter highlight is the Snowflake Ski Jumping Tournament, which attracts international competitors. 

                                  

photo courtesy Ruth Rupp

 South of Westby near Avalanche, the West Fork of the Kickapoo is cited by anglers as some of the best trout fishing in the Midwest.  The West Fork Sportsmans Club offers camping facilities and boasts of 200 miles of trout waters within a short drive.

                                                                                                                        Photo Courtesy of Bob Blumreich

At its southern tip, the Village of La Farge calls the reserve its “big backyard.”  It’s also the headquarters of the country’s largest organic farming cooperative, Organic Valley Family of Farms; nearly 1,200 family farms are members.  Directly west of La Farge lies the City of Viroqua, the largest community in the watershed. The downtown district, listed on the State and National Register of Historic Places, holds dozens of shops, an artists’ cooperative and a choice of restaurants and lodging.  The restored Temple Theatre houses live performances and in season, a vibrant farmers’ market offers the best in local produce and Amish crafts.

Trail at Sidie Hollow Park photo courtesy Vernon Trails

Continuing south, you reach Viola, famous for its fall Horse and Colt Show. Next is Readstown, the center point of the river, and another place to launch a canoe and experience a more rural paddling experience.  The river flows through Soldiers Grove, whose downtown was flooded on so many occasions that the residents bravely relocated it in the 1970s, erecting the nation’s first solar village.  Next is Gays Mills, the “Apple Capital” of Wisconsin.  In the early 1900s, farmers learned that the land bordering the Kickapoo offered excellent conditions for apple growing, and today seven orchards grow award-winning apples on hundreds of acres.

Now the river valley widens further, traveling through the farming community of Steuben.  Near Steuben is the Hogback Prairie, one of several native prairie remnants that dot the region.  Here the road along the Kickapoo begins to rise and you soon find yourself on a ridge top overlooking the silos, barns, and pastures that typify the area.  Then a steep curving drive downhill brings you to the quiet village of Wauzeka and the end of the Kickapoo as if flows into the Wisconsin River.  

Whether on the road or on the river, the Kickapoo Valley is a special place.  You can see over 300 species of rare plants and wildflowers, a constant display of color.  You can see over 100 species of birds, from bald eagles to sandhill cranes, or if you are so fortunate, a rare Kentucky warbler.  You can see muskrats, beaver, white-tailed deer, raccoons, woodchucks, mink, otters, fox, skunks, and possum.  You can see four types of forests—Southern Oak, Mixed Southern/Red Oak, Maple/Basswood, and Floodplain Ash Swamp.  You can see goat prairies and prairie remnants.  There is so much to see if you just take the time.  And once you’ve seen it, you’ll know that the only time you should hurry in the Kickapoo River Valley is to hurry back.

 
Photo Courtesy of Eric C. Snowdeal III
                   

Prohibition on imported firewood!
If you are camping, don't bring any firewood in from neighboring states.  Firewood can harbor invasive species such as the Emerald Ash Borer, which can potentially harm our native woodlands!

Click here for Wisconsin DNR firewood rules.