OffBeat Pathfinder Basecamp

Some parts of Wisconsin are flat. The Driftless? Not a chance. If you want hills, bluffs, limestone outcrops, and enough trout streams to make your head spin, this is your spot.


Started my weekend at Wildcat Mountain State Park, which lives up to its name—steep ridges, foggy mornings, and a surprising number of wildflowers for a place that was supposedly missed by the last glaciers. The Kickapoo River winds like it’s got stage fright, which makes for some epic paddling and photo ops (especially at dawn).


Took a drive down County Road P and found a cheese curd stand, a ghost town, and a herd of dairy cows that looked suspiciously judgmental.


Fishing is religion here. Driftless streams run cold and clear. I caught (and released) my first brown trout at Timber Coulee, nearly lost my phone to a slick rock, and was immediately heckled by a passing kayaker.


If you get bored, check out the Norwegian churches and the “gravity hill” outside Mindoro—local legend says your car will roll uphill (spoiler: it does).


Anyone else have a favorite secret valley, supper club, or haunted hiking trail? The Driftless delivers, every season.

Did a river trip on the Kickapoo last summer—three sunburns, two fish, one lost paddle. Worth it.

Climbed the bluffs near Coon Valley. Legs still regret it, but the views at sunset are unreal.

Got lost on the backroads—found a supper club and a root beer float. No complaints.

Stayed in a B&B outside Viroqua—owners swore the house was haunted. Woke up to footsteps and cinnamon rolls.

Anyone else check out the Mindoro Cut? Deepest rock cut this side of the Mississippi, and a perfect spot for a picnic.

Summer storm rolled in fast—got soaked on the trail but the sunset after was worth every squishy step.

Woke up early for fly fishing—caught nothing, but had the river to myself. Driftless mornings hit different.