Wyalusing State Park is the beginning of the Driftless Region road trip
What is the Driftless Region
Drifting in the Driftless Region sounds like a title from a beat poet or writer. The name of the area has nothing to do with Kerouac or Ginsberg, but refers to the unique geography found in the southwest corner of Wisconsin. Over 12,000 years ago when glaciers were carving up most of the state, the ice sheets benevolently left this part of the state alone.
Where the glaciers did move over the state, there is interesting geography in these areas too. In fact, the glaciers did a great job of making Wisconsin one of the best cross-country ski areas in the country. The glaciers create hills and valleys called moraines and kettles, but the large ice masses tend to smooth everything out.
Beautiful bluffs and farm along the Wisconsin River
This is not the case in the Driftless Region. The hills are higher, craggier, and more interesting. You find more cliffs with rock faces in this area. The non-driftless region is pretty too, but the views and hills are a little more impressive here.
Fall foliage Driftless Region road trip
I figured the Driftless Region would be a great place to check out fall foliage. I drove up for a camping and fall color weekend adventure. I started at Wyalusing State Park, which is situated on a ridge overlooking the confluence of the Wisconsin River and Mississippi River.
Yellow trees along the Wisconsin and a rainbow of colors along the Mississippi River bluffs
At Wyalusing there are two campgrounds. The Wisconsin Ridge campground looks right over the confluence and the town of Prairie Du Chien. It probably has one of the most spectacular views from any campground in Wisconsin and the country. These sites are in demand and need to be reserved well in advance on weekends. I settled for the quieter Homestead Campground. It lacked the amazing view, but it had some nice colors in the trees.
Fall foliage in my Homestead Campground at Wyalusing State Park
The next morning, I drove up to the Wisconsin Ridge campground and checked out the views from the lookout. The colors were waning, but they were still nice. The trees along the Wisconsin were largely yellow, but the trees along the bluffs that overlooked the Mississippi River were red, yellow, and orange.
Morning mist over the bluffs seen from Wyalusing State Park
I decided I needed to take a detour and check out the bluffs along the Mississippi. I drove into Prairie Du Chien and found a beautiful park right along the river. Prairie Du Chien is an interesting town. It has a lot of history and an old town quaint feeling to it. I was here for colors and not towns, so I took my photos of the Mississippi River and moved on.
Mississippi River at the Prairie Du Chien city park
The most spectacular bluffs in the region are found along the rivers, so I decided to follow the rivers. I drove back through Prairie Du Chien and picked up route 60 that followed the Wisconsin River. I found pretty tree colored bluffs along the Wisconsin and made several photography stops.
Bluffs along the Wisconsin River near Boscobel, Wisconsin
PIcturesque marsh along the Wisconsin River near Wauzeka
Near Wauzeka, Wisconsin, I found an almost burgundy colored marsh against a similar colored bluff. I took a few pictures and drove into Boscobel for gas. After gassing up, I drove back towards Wauzeka to take route 131 deep into the Driftless Region. I drove past the red colored swamp again, and it was even prettier now as a bald eagle was perched in the middle on one of the dead trees.
Bald eagle keeping an eye on he Driftless Region
Many small farms are located in the Driftless Region
I then drove north along Route 131, which follows the Kickapoo River. This area is actually home to a mountain range. The Ocooch Mountains, which instead of being snow covered much of the year, are topped with cows.
View of the Ocooch Mountains and cows in Crawford County, Wisconsin
I drove up a steep embankment to the highest point in the area. There was a little parking lot and a couple of lookouts maintained by the Crawford County highway department, which provided beautiful views of the area.
Still a little color in the Driftless Region from a look out over the Kickapoo River Valley
Unfortunately, I was a little late with the colors. I decided to stop my wanderings farther north at Richland Center and backtracked toward Madison. I camped at Blue Mound State Park near Madison. The next morning, I climbed the two observation towers at Blue Mound for a last look at the fall colors. I then drifted on back home to Chicago.
Only patches of colors remained in the Driftless Region
Blue Mound State Park Wisconsin
Driftless Region tips:
- Fall colors reach their peak in early and mid October
- Consider a canoeing trip on either the Wisconsin River or Kickapoo River
- Contact Wisconsin River Outings for transport and canoe rental in the area
- Camp and hike Wildcat Mountain State Park
- Camp and hike Devil’s Lake State Park
- Leave a Driftless Region tip of your own in the comment section
Adventure On!
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How nice for all that glacial ice to leave the rock of SW Wisconsin alone … beautiful shots!
Penelope recently posted..The Natural Wonders Of Paraguay
Thanks Penelope,
The cliffs and views are even better farther north, but since the leaves were down, I decided to leave that area for another day.
can’t stop/won’t stop fawning over fall foliage pictures. i refuse to let the fall go! thanks for the lovely photographs, tedward!
the lazy travelers recently posted..the ultimate hunt for craft beer in philadelphia
I hear you Lazy Travelers. Although I am looking forward to winter and snow, I don’t like the in between period from end of leaves fall to first snow fall.
Fantastic photos Ted! I love Wisconsin – have also heard of a place called the ice Age Trail which I have to check out – apparently it takes you along the landscape which has changed from where the glaciers you mentioned once were – now I guess it’s all one big glacial lake!
Meg @ Mapping Megan recently posted..The Best Way to Juggle International Travel While Studying Full Time
Actually, the area where the glacier carved out consiste of many lakes and hills called kettles and moraines. The terrain is hilly, but lacks the jagged cliffs and more rugged terrain of the Driftless Region. Have hiked several portions of the Ice Age Trail. It is a beautiful trail that has many different features depending on where you decide to explore in the state.
What a stunning landscape, I love the fall colours in your photographs. We’re in love with landscapes carved by glaciers. Having spent 18 months exploring New Zealand we’ve seen our fair share! Yet I hope one day we’ll make it to the Driftless Region!
Charli recently posted..Is Global Weirding Affecting Your Travels?
The Driftless Region is the area in Wisconsin where the glaciers did not carve the landscape; however, the rest of Wisconsin where they did their carving is beautiful too.
I love the midwest – it’s so incredibly beautiful! Lovely photos – thank you!
wandering educators recently posted..The Magic Green Light in Arctic Norway
The Midwest does not always get its due for scenic beauty, but it has its spots.
Tip?: Bring a good driftless type book to read by a campfire…Kerouac or Ginsberg? Maybe some poetry – like Walt Whitman Leaves of Grass….
stay drifting, Craig
Craig Zabransky recently posted..Sunset Sunday-The Knossos Palace Sunset, Crete, Greece
Can’t go wrong with Kerouac or Whitman.
I’ve been admiring your Prairie du Chien photos for several days now. The whole region looks gorgeous! I’m thinking the family and I will need to plan for a camping trip up there next summer. Maybe we’ll even get a spot at the Wisconsin Ridge campground.
Francesca (@WorkMomTravels) recently posted..Best family hotel in Springfield, Illinois: Residence Inn by Marriott
Be sure to reserve in advance or go on a weekday if you want a Wisconsin Ridge site with a beautiful view.
Wonderful landscape and fall foliage! If only everyday is fall. 🙂
Nichelle recently posted..Travel Blogger Interview – D Travels ‘Round
I wished the peak colors lasted longer than a week or two.
I’ve only been to Milwaukee. I’d like to explore nature in Wisconsin in the summer or fall. Being way down here where the Big Muddy passes Memphis, the river looks so different up that way.
Trips By Lance recently posted..Sleeping Bear Dunes Three-Hour Guide
Wisconsin is a great state to explore during the summer, fall, and winter.
I love the action of glaciers on the environment. And as a cross-country ski enthusiast, I’d love to visit! Not to mention the fall foliage. Shame you can’t get fall foliage and snow at the same time!
Margherita Ragg recently posted..Silence and Nature on the Tsiribihina River
The Driftless Region is actually where the glaciers did not carve up the state, but the part that it did affect is beautiful too.
Hey there, Traveling Poet. Beautiful views, I sense a road trip in my future…
Pola (Jetting Around) recently posted..Impressions of Chicago from a first-time visitor
This area is quite close to Chicago and not heavily visited, so it would be great road trip material.
We still have so much of the USA to see. Your photos and description of Wisconsin make me think we should take an American road trip. Great shot of the bald eagle keeping watch!
Mary @ Green Global Travel recently posted..INTERVIEW: NatGeo’s Dereck Joubert on Rhinos Without Borders
There is a lot of beautiful outdoor places in the northern area of the Midwest. I definitely recommend.
Shoot, it’s just incredible how many places across the US are stunningly beautiful. People nowadays don’t go outdoors enough if you ask me – so many people missing out on incredible views and just that feeling you get when you’re surrounded by nothing but nature.
John Fredson recently posted..Binocular Reviews
I completely agree. John. There are so many outdoor places to enjoy and visit.
You have done some great posts about Wisconsin. Apart from landing at an airport, I have never got out to explore the state. Definitely need to visit and follow in your footsteps.
Leigh recently posted..Travel News from Around the World: November 7, 2014
As nice as Wisconsin is, it pales in comparison to Canada. However, it is worth a visit.
Can’t get enough of that morning mist/fall foliage shot — so pretty!
Kieu recently posted..Don’t judge me – the Asian things I pack
Thanks Kieu!
The trees! Oh my goodness…Wyalusing State Park is splendid.
Leah recently posted..What I wish I knew before Renting a Car in Italy
You can see why this is probably Wisconsin’s #2 most popular park. #1 is Devil’s Lake because of great swimming.