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The Kickapoo Valley Reserve is an 8,569-acre tract of land located between the villages of La Farge and Ontario in southwestern Wisconsin. Its history, resources, administration, and recreational diversity make it unique - a place like no other. The state-sanctioned Kickapoo Reserve Management Board is responsible for managing the property on behalf of the State of Wisconsin and Ho-Chunk Nation. As a publicly protected property - subject to state, tribal, and federal laws - visitors are asked to be aware of the rule and permit requirements.
We invite you to come and see for yourself the many wonders of the Kickapoo Valley Reserve. Here, sandstone outcroppings tower over the Kickapoo River as you paddle its quiet waters while native plants and animals abound in all seasons. Whether you'd like to join us for a scheduled interpretive hike, adventure into the backcountry on your own, or simply stop and admire the beauty, the Kickapoo Valley Reserve welcomes you!
Campsites in the Kickapoo Valley Reserve fall into three site types listed below:
Non-Vehicle Accessible – Parking is greater than 500 feet from the campsite. Site access is via trail or canoe. No motorized vehicles are allowed at or access to these sites.
Vehicle Accessible – Seasonally maintained direct access for vehicles to the site. Parking is available on the site. Call the Visitor Center to learn which campsite accesses are plowed in the winter.
Non-Vehicle Accessible-River – The site does not have a trail leading to it. Access is best via canoe or kayak. No motorized vehicles are allowed at or access to these sites.
Each site has a posted capacity limit. All are limited to 10 people. All campsites are intended for one group, family, or party.
Willow Camp (D) has four individual campsites and is for self-contained units only.
Large groups camping on the Reserve need to apply for an event permit at least 45 days prior to the anticipated date. Contact the Reserve office for more information.
Hidden gem in the driftless region! Great place for hiking, walking, and biking. Just watch out for horse poop.
We enjoy kayaking down the Kickapoo, whether it's the whole family or a couple of us with some friends. The reserve is well maintained and a great place for family outdoor activities; biking, hiking, and canoeing/kayaking! 🛶
The Kickapoo is the highlight of the Reserve and best seen from a canoe. The entire section from bridge 1 in Ontario to Bridge 19 in La Farge is beautiful but upper section to about bridge 5 can be crowded on weekends with tubers and paddlers. You can avoid the crowds by starting early, paddling during weekdays or starting lower. The Reserve has many campsites on the river and many of them are mowed grass despite being very private and secluded from the roads. The entire paddle time is about 12 hours which we divided into 3 days and 2 campsites with time for exploring. The Reserve is cheap ($10/night camping for up to 10 people) so support the locals with a pre or post visit meal. Ontario has a great cafe and the Rockton Tavern is a fun and sometime rowdy time.
My favorite hiking trails are all at the KVR. I recommend making a loop out of the "Hansen's Rock" trail. We have a loop that includes Hansen's Rock, the Ice Cave, West Ridge, and Little Canada trails that is about 9 miles long with about 1,500ft of elevation gain. Spectacular views and we rarely ever bump into anyone else on the trails.
We launched at bridge 1 and had parked our second vehicle at bridge 14. Great time kayaking with the wife and kids. We did the 16.6 miles in 6:29:21 hours with an average speed of 2.83 mph.
Beware the was a tree crossing the river between 10-12. We had a head banging here.
