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Photo Courtesy of Jon Lee |
Amish Farms and
Businesses
West Central Wisconsin is known as Amish country. The first Amish
families arrived in Wisconsin in 1920, but it wasn’t until the 1960s
that the population grew significantly. Now the area has the
fourth-largest Amish population in the nation, settlements characterized
by horse-drawn buggies, colorful quilts flapping on clotheslines, giant
Belgian horses pulling plows, and rows of corn shocks under autumn
skies. The Amish are well known for their beautiful handmade quilts,
baskets, furniture, and many other items. Tourists have learned they can
often get some excellent workmanship by going directly to the source
when buying some of these items. (No Sunday sales.) |
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Apple Orchards
Gays Mills, Soldiers Grove’s neighboring village, is the “apple capital”
of Wisconsin. Seven orchards on hundreds of acres produce apples that
are nationally known for their color and flavor. Harvest time is a
wonderful time, as cars with license plates from many states fill the
parking lots. And for nearly 50 years, the Applefest celebration, with
its parade, arts and crafts show, and music, has helped the festival
atmosphere associated with apple-picking time in September. |
Photo Courtesy of Gays Mills |
Photo Courtesy of Bluedog Cycles |
Biking
Southwest Wisconsin provides many choices for bike riders. Crawford
County offers a bike map tracing routes throughout the county, including
routes through Soldiers Grove. The first rails-to-trails
conversion in the state, the 33-mile
Elroy-Sparta Trail is only
minutes away from Soldiers Grove. The Great River Road South tour
charts a 54-mile on-road tour. And for the more adventurous, mountain
bikes can be ridden through the
Kickapoo
Valley Reserve or near Granddad Bluff along the
Mississippi. Or simply chart your own path along the back roads of the
Driftless Area. |
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Birding
Eagles along the Mississippi River. Sandhill cranes along the
Kickapoo. Wildlife refuges that have recorded over 300 species of
birds. Wisconsin is a birder’s paradise. The
Great
Wisconsin Birding and Nature Trail is a mapped
auto trail that, when complete, will reach into every area of the state,
including southwest Wisconsin. Full-color viewing guides with maps and
descriptions of every site will lead the nature traveler to warblers,
shorebirds, eagles, loons, cranes and all manner of mammals found in
some of the state’s premier wildlife venues. |
Photo Courtesy of Dennis Maleug |
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Photo Courtesy of Jerry Quebe |
Camping
Campers
are welcome in the village of Soldiers Grove. Beauford T. Anderson
Memorial Park has campsites equipped with hook-up for those with larger
recreational vehicles beautiful sites close to the Kickapoo River for
those in tents. Restroom and shower facilities are available. Permits
can be secured at the village office, the pharmacy, or at Campbell’s One
Stop. Nearby state parks also offer a variety of campsites. |
Canoeing
The Kickapoo
River meanders for 130 miles from Wilton to Wauzeka, where it empties
into the Wisconsin River. The name Kickapoo is Algonquin for "one who
goes here, then there" and accurately describes the river, which flows
in all directions of the compass for portions of its length. A paddle
down the Kickapoo takes you through high sandstone cliffs, family-owned
dairy farms and through river villages including Soldiers Grove. Bring
your own canoe or rent one from one of the local canoe liveries, who
also offer shuttle service. |
Photo Courtesy of Crooked River Resort |
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Photo Courtesy of Driftless Area Trout
Adventures |
Fishing
Southwest Wisconsin trout streams are a favored destination of fisherman
from all over the country. The accessibility of the water, the potential
to catch trophy trout, an abundance of public easements and the scenic
beauty of the area all contribute to the area's reputation. Because many
of the trout streams in the area run through pasture land, the lack of
high brush and trees on the banks make fly-fishing a pleasure. |
Hunting
Southwest
Wisconsin has proved to be a perfect place for wild turkey; the stable
population makes it a premier place for spring and fall turkey hunting.
Whitetail deer hunting is equally popular whether by muzzleloader, bow
or traditional firearms. A deer herd that remains above population
goals means excellent opportunity for antlerless deer and trophy bucks.
Southwest Wisconsin also offers migratory bird and small game hunting. |
Photo Courtesy of Denis and Dave Daniels |
