Adventure Sports in Wisconsin’s Driftless Area
If you’re not from the Midwest, you might not know much about the Driftless Area—a 24,000-square-mile region, 85% of which is located in southwestern Wisconsin. Even if you are familiar with the Driftless, you may not be aware of the sheer quantity of adventures available here.
Named for the fact that glaciers and glacial “drift” never flattened this area, the Driftless is famous for towering bluffs, deeply carved river valleys, and mazes of dense forests and cold-water streams.
In other words: If you love the outdoors, the Driftless can be your playground—and an often uncrowded one at that. Though countless experiences can be had here, from birding to camping to fishing and more, here are just a few high-adventure thrills that can only be found in the Driftless.
Rock climbing at Devil’s Lake State Park
The most popular state park in Wisconsin, Devil’s Lake State Park touts some of the best rock climbing and bouldering in the Midwest. About an hour from Madison, quartzite cliffs tower above Devil's lake, and fields of boulders rest all along the glistening water below.
Though it’s a climber’s paradise, there are no bolted routes at the park—you’ll want to go with an outfitter, like Devils Lake Climbing Guides to get started. They’ll take you on some of the 1,500 traditional routes, most of which are rated as moderate, though the quartzite is known for being as slick as it is scenic. Newcomers welcome too, it’s an easy recipe for an adventurous day with friends or with family.
Paddling to the Mississippi River
The Upper Mississippi River National Wildlife and Fish Refuge runs for 261 miles, creating much of Wisconsin’s western border. There are dozens of paddle-ready rivers and streams that run to America’s second-longest waterway, but one of the best is the Wisconsin River. One of the longest stretches of navigable water in the region, the river runs free for 92 miles to the Mississippi—and so can you.
Put-ins dot the entire way, and you’re welcome to camp (for free) on sandbars or islands, which are plentiful. If you can swing a 3-day trip, the 31-mile stretch from Boscobel to Wyalusing State Park, on the Mississippi River, is a fantastic journey through the Driftless’s more remote stretches. It’s a screen-free, nature-filled detox for you and your crew.
Tip: For a great—and less challenging—day trip, look to the 7-mile segment from Spring Green to Lone Rock.
Hiking the Ice Age National Scenic Trail
Like the Appalachian Trail and the Pacific Crest Trail, Wisconsin has its own long-distance trail: the Ice Age National Scenic Trail (IAT), which runs for some 1,200 miles from the Minnesota border to Door County. As it traces the edge of the most recent glaciation, most of it isn’t in the Driftless Region—but a beautiful section of it is.
In fact, the IAT’s headquarters in Cross Plains mark the “Gateway to the Driftless,” and the trail’s Cross Plains segment is a great starting point for your hike. Start at Crossroads Coffee House, right next door to the trail, and head north to the scenic Table Bluff or south toward Verona—not too far from Madison. The best part of this trail? You can hike for 10 miles or 1,000. That part’s up to you and your hiking fam (including the four-legged ones).
Biking in the Baraboo River Valley and beyond
The Driftless is also home to some of the best biking trails in Wisconsin. Getting into the saddle on the 400 Wisconsin State Trail near Reedsburg—about 20 minutes from Wisconsin Dells—sends visitors on a 100-mile journey, zooming along marshes and rivers, under bluffs and down valleys, and through some of the Driftless’s most scenic landscapes. And unlike much of the rest of the state, the terrain is anything but flat. All in all, this route sees nearly 1,500 feet of elevation change.
Tackle the whole thing and you’ll be utilizing four joint state trails: the 400 Wisconsin State Trail (22 miles), the Elroy-Sparta State Trail (32 miles), the La Crosse River State Trail (21.5 miles), and the Great River State Trail (24.5 miles).
For a shorter trek, the first seven miles out of Reedsburg offer constant views of the Baraboo River. Wherever you pedal, you’ll see countless bubbling waterways, wildlife refuges, and railroad trestles and tunnels—and you’ll lose count of scenic moments shared with family and friends.
Keep the adventures coming at these resorts in northern Wisconsin.
Ready for refreshing outdoor fun? Check trail conditions and know before you go with the Wisconsin Trail Report.
