WISCONSIN TRAVEL

Photos: Exploring the Kickapoo Valley in the Driftless Region

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When the sun rises, an early morning mist follows the valley of the Kickapoo River as it twists and turns through the bluffs west of Steuben, in Crawford County off Highway 131, looking north from Husher Wayside Park. The stretch of the lower Kickapoo River from Steuben to Wauzeka is the final leg before it empties into the Wisconsin about 25 miles from the confluence with the Mississippi.
When the sun rises, an early morning mist follows the valley of the Kickapoo River as it twists and turns through the bluffs west of Steuben, in Crawford County off Highway 131, looking north from Husher Wayside Park. The stretch of the lower Kickapoo River from Steuben to Wauzeka is the final leg before it empties into the Wisconsin about 25 miles from the confluence with the Mississippi.
Journal Sentinel Files
Views from a cabin's porch at Kickapoo Valley Ranch outside La Farge include Driftless Area hills that were beginning to show signs of fall colors on Sept. 28, 2019.
Views from a cabin's porch at Kickapoo Valley Ranch outside La Farge include Driftless Area hills that were beginning to show signs of fall colors on Sept. 28, 2019.
Chelsey Lewis/Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
Roads in the Driftless Area wind through the area's signature hills, which were beginning to show signs of fall colors on Sept. 27, 2019.
Roads in the Driftless Area wind through the area's signature hills, which were beginning to show signs of fall colors on Sept. 27, 2019.
Chelsey Lewis/Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
Driftless Brewing Co. has been brewing beer in Soldiers Grove since 2013 and opened a tap room in 2019.
Driftless Brewing Co. has been brewing beer in Soldiers Grove since 2013 and opened a tap room in 2019.
Chelsey Lewis/Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
Driftless Brewing Co. has been brewing beer in Soldiers Grove since 2013 and opened a tap room in 2019.
Driftless Brewing Co. has been brewing beer in Soldiers Grove since 2013 and opened a tap room in 2019.
Chelsey Lewis/Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
The Driftless Cafe in Viroqua serves an ever-changing menu sourced with local ingredients.
The Driftless Cafe in Viroqua serves an ever-changing menu sourced with local ingredients.
Chelsey Lewis/Milwaukee Journal, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
A lookout in Wildcat Mountain State Park provides a view of the surrounding Driftless Region.
A lookout in Wildcat Mountain State Park provides a view of the surrounding Driftless Region.
Chelsey Lewis/Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
A fly fisherman casts on a stream in Vernon County, which is part of the Driftless Area. A study released in 2017 estimates trout fishing has a $1.6 billion annual economic impact to the Driftless Area.
A fly fisherman casts on a stream in Vernon County, which is part of the Driftless Area. A study released in 2017 estimates trout fishing has a $1.6 billion annual economic impact to the Driftless Area.
Paul A. Smith / Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
Branches Winery near Westby has three patios for enjoying a glass of wine outside.
Branches Winery near Westby has three patios for enjoying a glass of wine outside.
Chelsey Lewis/Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
Vernon Vineyards outside Viroqua has an outdoor patio for enjoying a glass of wine.
Vernon Vineyards outside Viroqua has an outdoor patio for enjoying a glass of wine.
TravelWisconsin.com
Driftless Books and Music is housed in an old tobacco warehouse that is part of a historic district in Viroqua.
Driftless Books and Music is housed in an old tobacco warehouse that is part of a historic district in Viroqua.
Chelsey Lewis/Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
Kickapoo Coffee Roasters hosts a monthly tour and tasting at its headquarters and roastery in Viroqua.
Kickapoo Coffee Roasters hosts a monthly tour and tasting at its headquarters and roastery in Viroqua.
Chelsey Lewis/Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
Jay Skrede describes the roasting process at Kickapoo Coffee Roasters in Viroqua during a tour on Sept. 28, 2019.
Jay Skrede describes the roasting process at Kickapoo Coffee Roasters in Viroqua during a tour on Sept. 28, 2019.
Chelsey Lewis/Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
Jay Skrede, second from right, prepares coffee for a tasting at Kickapoo Coffee Roasters in Viroqua on Sept. 29, 2019.
Jay Skrede, second from right, prepares coffee for a tasting at Kickapoo Coffee Roasters in Viroqua on Sept. 29, 2019.
Chelsey Lewis/Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
The Old Highway 131 Trail crosses the Kickapoo River via Bridge 18 in the Kickapoo Valley Reserve.
The Old Highway 131 Trail crosses the Kickapoo River via Bridge 18 in the Kickapoo Valley Reserve.
Chelsey Lewis/Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
The Black Hawk Rock Trail is a well maintained trail through prairie and hardwoods in the Kickapoo Valley Reserve.
The Black Hawk Rock Trail is a well maintained trail through prairie and hardwoods in the Kickapoo Valley Reserve.
Chelsey Lewis/Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
Fall colors were beginning to pop along the Old Highway 131 Trail in the Kickapoo Valley Reserve near La Farge on Sept. 29, 2019.
Fall colors were beginning to pop along the Old Highway 131 Trail in the Kickapoo Valley Reserve near La Farge on Sept. 29, 2019.
Chelsey Lewis/Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
A dam control tower is visible at the end of the Dam Trail in the Kickapoo Valley Reserve near La Farge on Sept. 29, 2019.
A dam control tower is visible at the end of the Dam Trail in the Kickapoo Valley Reserve near La Farge on Sept. 29, 2019.
Chelsey Lewis/Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
Fall colors were beginning to pop along the Old Highway 131 trail in the Kickapoo Valley Reserve near La Farge on Sept. 29, 2019.
Fall colors were beginning to pop along the Old Highway 131 trail in the Kickapoo Valley Reserve near La Farge on Sept. 29, 2019.
Chelsey Lewis/Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
Canoers make their way down the winding Kickapoo River in Vernon County.
Canoers make their way down the winding Kickapoo River in Vernon County.
Chelsey Lewis/Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
Moss, ferns and trees grow on the sandstone cliffs along the Kickapoo River, a favorite for paddlers in western Wisconsin.
Moss, ferns and trees grow on the sandstone cliffs along the Kickapoo River, a favorite for paddlers in western Wisconsin.
Chelsey Lewis/Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
Canoers paddle down the winding Kickapoo River south of Ontario in Vernon County.
Canoers paddle down the winding Kickapoo River south of Ontario in Vernon County.
Chelsey Lewis/Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
A late afternoon sun breaks through the clouds warming horses along the Kickapoo River on County E in Crawford County. Horses abound throughout the Driftless Area.
A late afternoon sun breaks through the clouds warming horses along the Kickapoo River on County E in Crawford County. Horses abound throughout the Driftless Area.
Journal Sentinel Files
Canoers paddle down the Kickapoo River past Wildcat Mountain State Park near Ontario.
Canoers paddle down the Kickapoo River past Wildcat Mountain State Park near Ontario.
Chelsey Lewis/Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
Coyote the cat sits outside the office at Kickapoo Valley Ranch outside La Farge on Sept. 29, 2019.
Coyote the cat sits outside the office at Kickapoo Valley Ranch outside La Farge on Sept. 29, 2019.
Chelsey Lewis/Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
Miss Kitty's Rendezvous is one of eight cabins available for rent at Kickapoo Valley Ranch near La Farge.
Miss Kitty's Rendezvous is one of eight cabins available for rent at Kickapoo Valley Ranch near La Farge.
Chelsey Lewis/Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
Porches at the Kickapoo Valley Ranch near La Farge feature large rocking chairs and views of the surrounding hills.
Porches at the Kickapoo Valley Ranch near La Farge feature large rocking chairs and views of the surrounding hills.
Chelsey Lewis/Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
The Miss Kitty's Rendezvous cabin at the Kickapoo Valley Ranch features two queen beds and a kitchenette.
The Miss Kitty's Rendezvous cabin at the Kickapoo Valley Ranch features two queen beds and a kitchenette.
Chelsey Lewis/Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
Western-themed artwork hang above beds in the cabins at the Kickapoo Valley Ranch near La Farge.
Western-themed artwork hang above beds in the cabins at the Kickapoo Valley Ranch near La Farge.
Chelsey Lewis/Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
A horse grazes in a field at the Kickapoo Valley Ranch near La Farge.
A horse grazes in a field at the Kickapoo Valley Ranch near La Farge.
Chelsey Lewis/Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
Horses greet visitors at the Kickapoo Valley Ranch near La Farge.
Horses greet visitors at the Kickapoo Valley Ranch near La Farge.
Chelsey Lewis/Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
Llamas greet visitors at the Kickapoo Valley Ranch near La Farge.
Llamas greet visitors at the Kickapoo Valley Ranch near La Farge.
Chelsey Lewis/Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
The verdant, rolling hills are a major draw to the Kickapoo Valley Reserve in Wisconsin's Driftless Region.
The verdant, rolling hills are a major draw to the Kickapoo Valley Reserve in Wisconsin's Driftless Region.
Chelsey Lewis/Milwaukee Journal Sentinel