Best Hiking in Wisconsin’s Driftless Region (Adventure Guide!)

June 21, 2024

Looking for all the best day hiking trails in Wisconsin’s Driftless Region? From easy hikes with big views to full-day hikes, here are the best hikes in the Driftless!

why this blog? hi there! My name is Maddy and I’m an adventure guide and guidebook writer committed to helping people explore the outdoors, with a focus on Midwest adventure. I’ve been working as an outdoor guide since 2018, and am stoked to help you find your next adventure!

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Left to right: Balanced Rock Devils Lake State Park, Escape in A-Frame Rental camper [hosted stay], Blue Mound State Park tower overlook

What to pack for Hiking the Driftless Region:

Weather in the Driftless Region can be hot in the summer, with cool falls and springs. Late summer for less crowds and pleasant temperatures is a great time to visit, as well as June for wildflowers. Fall colors in the area peak in mid-October and are especially beautiful. Here’s a quick packing list for your summer hiking trip:

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Point Lookout, Wyalusing State Park

Mosquito and Tick Management for Hiking the Driftless, Wisconsin:

Bugs? Wisconsin has got them! From mid-June to mid-July, expect the bugs to be… pretty bad. June and July are some of the prettiest months to visit for wildflowers, storms and rainbows, but definitely bug activity peaks these months. Expect to encounter mosquitos and ticks from May- end of September. 

For mosquito and tick management, I recommend Ben’s Deet Bug Spray (Deet is not actually bad for you unless you have a Deet allergy! Personally I’d rather use the deet than gamble with insect-borne illnesses) and treating clothing with Permethrin. 

In addition, I recommend wearing light colored, lose-fitting clothing. Check out my guide to the best hiking pants (that aren’t leggings) for women! Tuck your pants into your socks and make sure to check for ticks every single night. 

Best Hiking and Adventures in the Wisconsin Driftless Region:

From the best hikes for views, waterfalls, and more, here are the best hikes and adventures in the Driftless Region of Wisconsin:

1) Balanced Rock, Devil’s Lake State Park

This steep, moderate trail is less than one mile in length but leads to beautiful views of Devil’s Lake and Balanced Rock below! Devil’s Lake State Park in general is very crowded. 

image of balanced rock in devils lake state park

Balanced Rock, Devil’s Lake State Park

If you are limited on time in the Driftless Region, or simply don’t love crowds, I recommend swinging by Devil’s Lake and checking out this hike before moving on to less crowded areas. 

2) Governor Dodge State Park

Governor Dodge State Park is family-friendly, has great overlook trails, swimming, and even a unique waterfall!

3) Ferry Bluff State Natural Area

Ferry Bluff is a short but beautiful hike over the Wisconsin River with sweeping views! Exercise care along cliffs edges here, and note that this trail is extremely, extremely full of mosquitos. 

View from Cactus Bluff in Ferry Bluff State Natural Area

I easily got 30 bites wearing deet in about a half hour of hiking here. A cloud of them lingered outside my car after, and when I went to back out there were three on my backup camera trying to claw their way into my car. I’d maybe save this hike for the fall. Not worth the bug bites in June. 

4) Stay in Escape-in-A-Frame Camper Rental [hosted]

One of the best things about my stay in the Driftless Region was staying in the Escape-in-A-Frame pop-up camper rental. With pickup outside of Milwaukee, this rental camper has big “cabin on wheels” vibes and made my Driftless Region trip have the coziest, jungle-meets-English-countryside vibes. 

5) Blue Mound State Park Overlook Towers

Devil’s Lake State Park is probably the most popular place to hike in the Driftless Region, but my favorite spot was actually Blue Mound State Park. 

Views from the Blue Mounds State Park Overlook Towers

Blue Mound is the tallest point in the region, and driving around this area sort of feels like cruising the Appalachian foothills. The best part of Blue Mound State Park is the views from the lookout towers, one facing west for sunset and one facing east for sunrise. Climbing these towers was beautiful and really helped me fall in love with the Driftless Region.

You can also check out the unique Cave of the Mounds nearby.

6) Pictured Rock Cave, Wyalusing State Park

Personally, my favorite underrated hike in the Driftless Region is the less than 2-mile hike to Pictured Rock Cave on the Sugar Maple Trail in Wyalusing State Park. This short and sweet trail leads to a unique limestone cave and small waterfall— this is especially pretty in the spring or after it rains!

Pictured Rock Cave in Wyalusing State Park

7) Brady’s Bluff, Perrot State Park

Looking for a Wisconsin Driftless Hike with big Appalachian Trail energy? Hike up to Brady’s Bluff in Perrot State Park, 3-miles round trip and a nearly 400-ft climb. 

Views from Brady’s Bluff

This trail takes you from the banks of the Mississippi to the bluff high above, over unique stone pathways and beautiful overlooks until you reach the shelter at the top of the bluff. This trail is so beautiful, and there are options to turn this into a much longer hike as well. 

I highly recommend tackling the hike to the top of the bluff around sunset, it’s such a wonderful experience and place to be.

8) Sentinel Ridge, Wyalusing State Park

For a beautiful hike with views of the Wisconsin and Mississippi Rivers, check out the Sentinel Ridge Trail in Wyalusing State Park. This trail has beautiful picnic areas and views and is ideal for bird watchers!

Point Lookout, Sentinel Ridge Trail

Be sure to spend some time at the super beautiful Point Lookout as well!

9) Camp on Wisconsin Ridge, Wyalusing State Park

Did you know you can find one of the prettiest car camping sites in Wisconsin at Wyalusing State Park?

These campsites are situated right on the ridge overlooking the Wisconsin River and easily are some of the coolest spots for car camping in the Driftless Region! Along Wisconsin Ridge, the best sites range from 119-155 (see map here) with sites 141-150, 139, 129 and 127 having some of the best views. 

beautiful campsite views 🙂

Reserve a campsite here. These sites are very popular, so be sure to reserve well in advance.

10) Hike around Devil’s Lake 

Devil’s Lake has over 29-miles of hiking trails and one of the coolest things you can do is hike around the entirety of the lake! This is a difficult route up both the East and West Bluffs, but has incredible views and opportunities for swimming along the way! 

For the most scenic route, combine the East Bluff and West Bluff Trail for a total of around five miles round trip. 

Love Exploring Wisconsin? Check out these other great adventures near Wisconsin:

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