Drive winding roads through steep ridges, deep valleys, farms, forests and Mississippi River country. This is a side of Wisconsin that feels completely different from everywhere around it.
The Driftless Area escaped the flattening effects of the most recent continental glaciers, leaving a landscape of steep ridges, wooded valleys, limestone bluffs and winding streams.
In Wisconsin, that landscape creates some of the state's most memorable driving, hiking, fishing and small-town exploring. It's a region where taking the slower road is usually the point.
Bluffs, winding roads and small towns define this corner of Wisconsin.
Climb higher for sweeping views across valleys, rivers and wooded ridges.
Follow roads that twist through valleys instead of cutting straight across them.
Stop for local shops, food, historic downtowns and riverfront communities.
Some of the best experiences begin where the straight roads end.
Wind through ridges, valleys, farms and Mississippi River country.
Explore bluff trails, forests, overlooks and rugged terrain.
Cold-water streams make trout fishing part of the region's outdoor identity.
Stay closer to the valleys, rivers and wooded landscapes.
Explore quiet roads and trails through rolling Driftless terrain.
Use Wisconsin parks as gateways into bluff and river country.
Watch wooded ridges and valleys change during Wisconsin autumn.
Turn a few scenic roads and small towns into an easy two-day escape.
The Driftless is one of those places where the road itself becomes part of the destination. Routes rise onto ridges, drop into narrow valleys and follow rivers through countryside that rewards slower travel.
Leave time for overlooks, farm stands, small towns and roads you didn't originally plan to take.
Explore Scenic Drives →Use these communities and areas as anchors for exploring southwestern Wisconsin.
Riverfront scenery, nearby bluffs and an easy gateway into Driftless country.
A small Driftless community surrounded by farms, valleys and outdoor recreation.
Historic river country near the Wisconsin and Mississippi river corridors.
A Mississippi River community surrounded by bluff-country scenery.
A jumping-off point for paddling and exploring the Kickapoo Valley.
Follow the river past bluffs, overlooks and Wisconsin communities.
Historic character, art and rolling countryside in southwestern Wisconsin.
Explore narrow valleys, wooded ridges and rural roads throughout the region.
The Driftless landscape makes elevation part of the experience. Trails and roads climb above river valleys and farmland to viewpoints that don't look like most people's idea of Wisconsin.
Hike in the morning, follow the river in the afternoon and find a bluff overlook before the light disappears.
Find Wisconsin Hiking →Don't pack the itinerary too tightly. The detours are part of the trip.
Start early and follow the ridges, valleys and roads that look interesting.
MiddayGet out of the car and see the landscape from above.
AfternoonLook for Wisconsin food, cheese, markets and small-town discoveries.
EveningEnd a day of wandering with a classic Wisconsin dinner.
Watch the landscape turn green as trails, streams and backroads wake up.
SummerLong days give you more time for paddling, hiking and wandering.
FallWooded hillsides make autumn one of the most dramatic times to visit.
WinterSee a quieter side of the valleys, towns and Mississippi River landscape.
One day works. A full weekend works much better.
Combine backroads, towns, hiking and local food into an easy escape.
Get Away From ItFind a quiet base in the hills and let the roads lead from there.
Sleep OutsideStay close to rivers, trails and the landscape you're here to explore.
Just TwoScenic drives, small towns and quiet countryside make an easy couples getaway.
Distances on a map can be deceptive in the Driftless. Winding roads, elevation changes and unplanned stops can turn a short route into a much longer adventure — which is usually a good thing.
The Driftless Area is part of a larger region of the Upper Midwest known for rugged ridges, valleys, bluffs and streams rather than the flatter terrain shaped by the most recent continental glaciation.
Wisconsin's Driftless landscape is concentrated primarily in the western and southwestern part of the state, including Mississippi River and inland bluff country.
Popular activities include scenic driving, hiking, trout fishing, paddling, biking, camping, visiting small towns and exploring Mississippi River communities.
Yes. Winding roads, river routes, bluff overlooks, rural landscapes and small communities make driving one of the easiest ways to explore the region.
Each season offers a different experience. Summer works well for outdoor trips, fall brings colorful wooded ridges, and spring highlights green valleys and streams.
No. The landscape is made up of steep ridges, bluffs, hills and deeply carved valleys rather than mountains.
The Driftless rewards travelers who aren't in a hurry.