America’s Best Kept Secret Is Hiding Right Here In Wisconsin And It's Calling Your Name
By Megan Shute|Published November 10, 2018
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Megan Shute
Author
With more than 10 years of experience as a professional writer, Megan holds a degree in Mass Media from her home state of Minnesota. After college, she chose to trade in her winter boots for slippahs and moved to the beautiful island of Oahu, where she has been living for more than five years. She lives on the west side but is constantly taking mini-road trips across the island and visits the neighboring islands whenever she can getaway. She loves hiking, snorkeling, locally-grown coffee, and finding the best acai bowl on Oahu.
From grand natural wonders to quirky roadside attractions and massive cities to coastal towns, the United States is home to countless incredible destinations. But not all of these spectacular spots are well-known. In fact, many of America’s most remarkable places fly under the radar. Even in our often underrated state, you will find secret gems the rest of the country overlooks, including this ancient Wisconsin Valley sure to impress. Located off the beaten path, Kickapoo Valley is America’s best-kept secret, at least according to Reader’s Digest. Let’s take a look at this dreamy destination then, shall we?
If you enjoy getting off the beaten path, Kickapoo Valley is for you. Jointly owned by Wisconsin and the Ho-Chuck Nation, the Kickapoo River is one of the world’s oldest as it was not disturbed by melting glaciers.
As the longest tributary of the Wisconsin River, the Kickapoo River measures in at 125 miles and meanders from its source in Wilton to Wauzeka. If you were to travel between these two towns by land, it would only take you 65 miles, but Kickapoo is an Algonquin word meaning "one who goes there, then here," an apt description for a river that flows north, south, east, and west over its length.
Rising approximately 350 feet above the river are the Ocooch Mountains, named after a small band of Indians that once called these hills home. Though more hills than mountains, this forested area is home to lush valleys, sandstone cliffs, and so much more.
It is in this enchanting valley that you will discover more than 300 species of rare plants and wildflowers and more than 100 species of birds as well as muskrats, beavers, white-tailed deer, woodchucks, otter, fox, and raccoons. Not to mention the incredible attractions like the Kickapoo Valley Ranch, pictured below.
Whether you canoe down the river, drive or bike along its shores, or explore one of the area’s stunning state parks, you’ll want to take in this area’s overwhelming natural beauty as soon as possible.
Fish, hunt, ride horses, birdwatch: opportunities for outdoor recreation are endless here. Hiking and camping are popular in the warm months while winter brings phenomenal opportunities for cross-country skiing and snowshoeing.
Foraging for mushrooms in the valley is wildly popular, and the area’s claim to fame is its Kickapoo Blue Cheese, which is manufactured by supermarket favorite and Wisconsin-born Organic Valley.
If you visit the area, you’ll want to visit both the 3,600-acre Wildcat Mountain State Park, which offers 25 miles of trails and well-equipped campsites as well as…
Whether you experience it by road or by river, the Kickapoo Valley is a place of extreme natural beauty — from forests to prairies and everything in between
Have you ever visited the wonderful Kickapoo Valley? Share your thoughts and experiences in the comments below, and then click here to learn all about one of the area’s best destinations, the Kickapoo Valley Ranch.
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