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| Stand Rock at Dells of the Wisconsin River State Natural Area. |
Located near the state’s center, Adams County is an outdoor recreational mecca. During summers, bicyclists and off-road vehicle enthusiasts ply a number of forested trails while fishermen and canoeists play on waterways. Come autumn, the roads turn busy with drivers out to enjoy the colorful blaze of autumn leaves. Throughout winter, cross-country skiers, snowshoers and snowmobilists sail across white paths while ice fishing shacks pop up on frozen lakes. And, of course, day and backcountry hikers alike enjoy the county’s dozens of miles of trails rambling through verdant scenery.
Communities
All of Adams County sits in an oak and pine barrens, a flat prairie-like landscape, from which rise numerous ancient sandstone buttes. The Wisconsin River, much of it impounded in massive flowages, forms the county borders. These and many other natural features can be hiked at Roche-A-Cri State Park in the county’s center, Quincy Bluff and Wetlands State Natural Area in the county’s west-central section, and the Dells of the Wisconsin River State Natural Area in the southern tip.
While there are built-up areas in Adams County, there really are only two cities, and both are quite small in population – Adams and Friendship (the county seat) – which sit adjacent to one another near the county’s center. Their combined population is fewer than 3000.
Wisconsin Dells sits just outside the county’s southern edge. Combined with Lake Delton, the resort area has a population of about 6000 and boasts many of the restuarants and retail stores not found in the primarily rural Adams County.
When to Visit
The best months to day hike Adams County are May through September. Depending on the year, April and October also can be pleasant.
As with the rest of Wisconsin, summers are humid, especially July and August. Rain can occur during the afternoon even when the morning is sunny, so always check the weather forecast before heading out.
November through March usually is too cold for day hiking. Once snow falls, trails typically are used for cross-country skiing, snowmobiling or snowshoeing. Early spring often means muddy trails thanks to snowmelt and rainfall.
How to Get There
Two freeways sit just outside two of Adams County’s three sides. Interstates 90/94 run nourthwest-southeast along near county’s western edge while Interstate 39 goes north-south paralleling the county’s eastern side.
From northern Illinois or southern Wisconsin, take I-90/94 north from Madison and access the county either by heading north on I-39 or through Wisconsin Dells.
For Minnesota, Iowa, or western Wisconsin residents, take I-90 or I-94 east. Exit on Wis. Hwy. 21 at Tomah to reach the county’s center. Wis. Hwy. 82 at Mauston or Wis. Hwy. 13 at Wisconsin Dells head to its southern section.
Northern Wisconsin or Upper Peninsula travelers should aim for I-39 in Wausau and drive south to one of four exits. Wis. Hwy. 73 goes to the county’s northern part, Wis. 21 to its center, Wis. 82 to its southern section, and Wis. Hwy. 23 to to the Wisconsin Dells area.
From east-central Wisconsin (Fox Valley, Green Bay, Door County), at Oshkosh take Wis. 21 to the county’s center or Wis. Hwy. 44 to Wis. 23 to its southern portion. At Fond Du Lac take Wis. 23.
Best Day Hiking Trails
Among Adams County’s best day hiking trails are:
• Quincy Bluff
• Witches Gulch
• Roche-A-Cri vista
• Rocky Arbor
• Oak/pine barrens
