Crawford County: Limestone Prairies, Rivers, and History

Crawford County lies in the Driftless Area, where steep hills, deep valleys, and winding streams shape the landscape. The terrain also contributes to the county’s winding roads. About 45 miles of the Mississippi River run along the western border; the Kickapoo River winds for 71 miles through Crawford County. The rivers thus offer two distinct geographic reference points for planning your trip.

Limestone Ridges and Natural Areas

Hogback Prairie sits on a narrow, steep-sided, limestone-crowned ridge that rises 300 feet above Citron Valley. From Steuben, reach the natural area via Bridge Street, Hughes Road, and Citron Valley Road. A footpath then leads west into the area.

At Kickapoo Wild Woods, the slopes descend 350 feet to the Kickapoo River. The area has two parking areas. From Wauzeka, the first route goes 1.5 miles east on Highway 60, then 1.5 miles north on Highway 131, and finally 0.7 miles west on Onstine Hill Road to a parking area. At the junction, the second option leads 0.3 miles south to another parking area.

Rush Creek encompasses a two-mile stretch of dry, alkaline prairies on steep, southwest-facing, limestone-crowned cliffs along the Mississippi River. The access route begins at the intersection of State Highway 35 and County Highway C in Ferryville: from there, head 3.1 miles north on Highway 35, then 0.5 miles northeast on Rush Creek Road to a parking area. An access trail leads east from there to the edge of the cliffs.

At Sugar Creek Bluff, dry goat prairies lie on the west- and south-facing slopes. Sugar Creek is a Class 2 trout stream there. Wauzeka Bottoms offers a different landscape: an extensive stand of old-growth floodplain forest is interspersed with oxbow lakes, abandoned river channels, and beaver dams. Thousands of migratory birds can be seen, especially in spring, at the Bell Center Unit of the Kickapoo River Wildlife Area.

The River, Walking Trails, and Regional History

River fishing in Crawford County is often possible from a boat or from shore. The rivers in Crawford County are home to perch, walleye, catfish, and various species of sunfish, among other fish. If you would rather spend time on foot or by bike, St. Feriole Island offers opportunities for both activities. St. Feriole Island Memorial Gardens has several walking trails and more than 50 varieties of historic trees. Washington Street Park has a ¾-mile walking trail.

History is also present at several specific sites. Villa Louis, recognized as a National Historic Landmark, is the residence of the H. Louis Dousman family and includes the foundations of Fort Crawford. The Fort Crawford Museum houses a fort hospital building with exhibits on Dr. William Beaumont’s early research on digestion. The Mississippi River Sculpture Park features life-size bronze statues of historical figures from the region.

The Trail of Presidents on St. Feriole Island consists of 22 oaks representing U.S. presidents who lived in or visited Prairie du Chien. Along with the walking trails and historic trees in the Memorial Gardens, the island offers several distinct points of interest for a visit. At Washington Street Park, the designated walking trail is shorter than a mile; the ¾-mile distance can help you compare this option with the walking trails in the gardens.

Apple Harvest and Trip Planning

Gays Mills has one of the largest concentrations of apple orchards in the surrounding tri-state area. The Gays Mills Apple Festival takes place on the last full weekend in September during apple harvest. The program includes a parade and a craft vendor market. If you want to include the festival in your trip, check the specific event dates in advance.

Compare your preferred hotel location with the places and routes that matter to your trip. This will help you choose accommodations that fit your own daily plans, without reducing nature, culture, and events to a single focus for your trip.

Explore more destinations: Prairie Du Chien, Green County, Washburn County, Calumet County, Door County, Ozaukee, Clark County, Iron County.

For the broader travel overview: Wisconsin.