Top fall hikes in southwest Wisconsin, Part I

Nelson Dewey State Park

There’s no better way

to experience autumn colors in southwest Wisconsin than a hike.

The brilliant yellows, oranges and red of maples to the
scarlet and russets of oaks...the crisp, fresh autumn air and the last warm rays of sunlight before winter arrives...

the crunch of fallen leaves and acorns beneath your boots...stopping to enjoy a warm mug of apple cider or a caramel apple pulled from your backpack – it all calls for an afternoon on the trail.

Fortunately, there are plenty of great autumn trails across southwest Wisconsin to hike. Some are right out your back door, while some are a day trip that you can do in an afternoon.

Buffalo County
Day hikers can see ancient fossils on a spectacular vista that one time sat at the bottom of the sea. The 0.22-miles round trip Buena Vista Overlook Trail marks a must-see for anyone traveling the Wisconsin side of the Mississippi River. Located in Alma’s Buena Vista County Park, it’s an easy walk and a spectacular one in autumn. From the vista, a rainbow of leaf colors lead downhill to large swaths of gold around the Mississippi River. From Wis. Hwy. 35 in Alma, turn east onto County Road E; known as North Street in town, it curves and becomes Second Street then curls again as ascending the bluff. Near the top, turn left/north onto Buena Vista Road. The road dead ends at the park entrance.

Crawford County
Day hikers can head through a wooded blufftop that ends at a goat prairie offering fantastic views of the Mississippi River below on the Sugar Creek Bluff Nature Trail. The 1.5-mile round trip trail sits in the Sugar Creek Bluff State Natural Area. After passing through a small prairie, the trail enters a dry-mesic forest of red and white oak, shagbark hickory, white ash, and basswood. About 0.7 miles in, the trail reaches a goat prairie with the Mississippi below. During autumn, the land surrounding the river below turns into a sea of yellow as silver maple, green ash and river birch rule the sloughs and river valley. From Ferryville, go south on Wis. Hwy. 35. Turn left/northeast on North Buck Creek Road. In about a mile is a small parking area with a Mississippi Valley Conservancy kiosk.

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Hikers can enjoy autumn colors at La Riviere Park in Prairie du Chien. Covering 300-acres, the park sits in the bluffs overlooking the confluence of the Mississippi and Wisconsin rivers. The 1-mile A-Dan La Riviere Trail loops through the park’s woods, where each autumn leaves turn yellow, tan and russet. From downtown Prairie du Chien, head south on U.S. Hwy. 18/Wis. Hwy. 35. Turn left/northeast onto Vineyard Road. Go Left on Public Road to the parking lot. The trail is shared with mountain bikers.

Grant County
Day hikers can see effigy mounds towering above a vast sea of yellow leaves during autumn in southwest Wisconsin. The 1.2-mile round trip Mound Point Trail sits in Nelson Dewey State Park overlooking the Mississippi River. Though the trail crosses a blufftop prairie, whose grasses turn amber then brown each autumn, that’s just the opening act for the hike’s real star: Unobstructed views of the sparkling Mississippi River from 500 feet up. Every autumn, across the horizon stretches a sea of yellow with spots of orange at the bluff’s base, on the islands amid the river’s backwaters, and along the opposite shore in Iowa. From Wis. Hwy. 133 in Cassville, drive northwest on County Road VV. In about a mile, the park entrance is on the right with the Stonefield Village Historic Site on the left. Follow the park road to its intersection with the road leading to the Family Campground. Go straight/west past the campground and park in the small lot where the road loops back on itself. The trail heads southwest from the parking lot across North Ridge.

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Day hikers can explore an oak savanna that’s nearly 300 feet above the Wisconsin River at the Boscobel Bluffs State Natural Area. In autumn, the bluffside lights up in an array of colors. The 3-mile round trip trail climbs 400 feet on an old logging road along the Lower Wisconsin River valley’s south flank. After passing through a globally rare dry prairie, the trail reaches a savanna offering the yellow to brown leaves of bur oak, the rich gold of shagbark hickory, and the maroon of American hazelnut. From U.S. Hwy. 61/Elm Street in Boscobel, turn east onto Mary Street, which becomes Freemont Street and then County Road MS. Just past Oakes Street, a parking lot is on the left/north.

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Yellow, orange and russet leaves await hikers at the 45-acre Oakwood Nature Park. Of the four trails there, try the 1.25-mile Oak Valley Trail, which weaves in and out of a small oak-dominated woods. From downtown Fennimore, take U.S. Hwy. 18 east. Turn left/northeast onto County Road Q. Immediately after south on Bronson Boulevard, go right/south into the parking lot. Walk south across the lawn and head east on the paved path.

Jackson County
Fantastic views of a surrounding hardwood-pine forest awaits on the Castle Mound Lookout Trail at Black River State Forest. A dry pine forest lines the southeast side of the 2-mile loop while a wet boreal forest full of gold birch and aspen and orange to brown oak dominates the northeast side. A spur trail heads to the top of Castle Mound, which rises 180 feet about the surrounding sand plain. From Black River Falls, take U.S. Hwy 12 east. Turn left/south to the Black Forest State Forest headquarters.

Buffalo River State Trail offers rustic hike

Buffalo River State Trail. Courtesy Wisconsin DNR.

Topo map of trail's eastern terminus, Plate 1.

Topo map of trail's eastern terminus, Plate 2.

Topo map of trail's eastern terminus, Plate 3.

Old railroad grade
runs 36.4 miles
in Wisconsin

Day hikers can enjoy a pastoral walk past farm fields and through country woods on the Buffalo River State Trail in west-central Wisconsin.

The trail runs for 36.4 miles through the Buffalo River Valley between Mondovi and Fairchild while passing three other farm towns. Most of the way, the trail parallels either the Buffalo River or one of its forks. An easy to reach and rustic segment to walk heads 4.8-miles round trip from Fairchild to the North Fork Buffalo River.

To reach that trailhead in Fairchild, at Eau Claire County's southeastern corner, from U.S. Hwy. 12 go northeast onto County Road YY/North Street. After crossing Town Line Road, turn left/north into the Buffalo River State Trail parking lot. An access trail goes from the lot north to the main route.

Classic farm country
Once there, turn left/southwest onto the trail (Taking the trail the other direction heads into downtown Fairchild.). Built on a former railroad grade, the trail here and throughout its course is fairly flat with a surface of railroad ballast and limestone screenings.

In about 0.1 miles, the trail crosses busy Hwy. 12. Be sure to look both ways and hold hands of any children with you.

From there, the trail line is nicely lined with hardwood trees on both sides, making for a pleasant colorful walk in autumn. As the trail is wide, though, you'll need a sunhat or sunscreen.

Through breaks in the treelines, you'll be able to spot a variety of farm fields on either sides of the tracks. This is classic Wisconsin dairy country you’re heading through.

About 0.5 miles from trailhead, the trail crosses McGower Road. In doing so, you are now in Jackson County. At 0.9 miles, the trail intersects Arndt Road.

Riviere de Beeufs
The farmland gives way to heavier woodlands at about 1.85 miles, when the trail recrosses McGower Road. Tree plantations can be seen on the trail’s north side for part of this segment.

At 2.4 miles the trail reaches North Fork Buffalo River, a good turnback point. The river and its forks were named by early French explorers for the bison than once roamed this area; they called it the Riviere de Beeufs. The North Fork joins the main Buffalo River upstream. The Buffalo in turn flows into the Mississippi River at Alma; it’s the next tributary to feed the southbound Mississippi after the Chippewa River.

Bicycles, horses, ATVs and UTVs also use the trail spring through autumn; during winter, it becomes a snowmobile trail. Be aware that sometimes maps refer to the route as the Beef River Recreational Vehicle Trail or as the Buffalo River State Park Trail.

Other trailheads (heading east to west) for the Buffalo River State Trail include:
• Osseo – On non-school days, park at school district's athletics fields at the northern end of Rose Lane. Follow the lane north onto an access trail for the Buffalo River State Trail.
• Strum – Park downtown on County Road D/Fifth Avenue South; the trail is between Birch and Maple streets.
• Eleva – Park on Third Street South and walk south; the trail is just past Goddard Street.
• Mondovi – Parking is available at the southern end of Marten Street.

Learn more about nearby day hiking trails in my Day Hiking Trails of the Chippewa Valley guidebook.