The Most Charming River Towns In Wisconsin

Wisconsin is known for its dairy farms and its cranberry bogs and its cheese. Its rivers get less attention. Yet the Mississippi and the St. Croix and the Wisconsin have shaped a string of small river towns worth a closer look. Stockholm still carries the Nordic roots of its Swedish settlers, and Spring Green holds a Frank Lloyd Wright landmark just up the road. These are six river towns that reward a slow visit.

Stockholm

Many people have heard of the mighty Mississippi River. But it is easy to forget its far-reaching presence in the American Midwest. 230 miles of the Mississippi borders the state of Wisconsin, and plenty of thriving river towns dot its scenic path. Pepin County has one such gem in the form of Stockholm. Named by Swedish settlers for the capital of their home country, Stockholm maintains strong Nordic cultural ties into today. Not to be confused with the village nearby, Stockholm is a town of a couple hundred people who encourage visitors and love their place on the Mississippi. A cozy stop in Stockholm would be at the Stockholm Gardens. This plant nursery is on a farmstead with perennials for sale and a display garden around an antique barn.

The town is located on a section of the Mississippi called Lake Pepin, an area of the river that gets wide enough to allow for all kinds of outdoor recreation opportunities. Although the lake is known for watersports like kayaking and water skiing, a popular option for visitor to the area is taking a scenic drive along Great River Road, adjacent to the lake. Stopping off at Maiden Rock Bluff, a 400-foot overlook, offers one of only a few chances to take in the magnificence of the river lake. The bluff is not only beautiful, it is a protected area that supports regional wildlife and plants. Golden eagle and turkey vulture fly amongst old red cedar and oak savanna. It is truly breathtaking.

Wyalusing

Named for a scenic town of the same name in Pennsylvania, Wyalusing is a small town at the meeting place of the Mississippi and Wisconsin Rivers. The smaller unincorporated communities within the town are named Wyalusing and Brodtville respectively. Luckily, Wyalusing is the best way to access the wild and wonderful Wyalusing State Park. The park sits 500 feet above the confluence of the Mississippi and Wisconsin Rivers.

Wyalusing State Park has activities for every season and every kind of outdoor enthusiast. 14 miles of trails lead to interesting sights and stories, including Bluff Trail, a path that follows the bluffs to an area that was believed to hold a legendary treasure. Camping is popular at the park as well. With over 109 campsites at the family camp, there is also a dedicated indoor camping facility called the Hugh Harper Indoor Group Camp. It features a working kitchen, showers, and accommodates as many as 108 people. It would not be a park on the river without fishing and boating. A marked canoe trail takes boaters along the Mississippi for miles where migratory birds, native plants, and wildlife make their homes. Other trails, like Whitetail Meadows, are available for cross-country skiing in the off-season.

Osceola

The St. Croix River functions as a large portion of the border between Minnesota and Wisconsin. It is a river known for rapids, birch and oak forests, and a diverse set of wildlife who call the riverbanks home. The Polk County section of the St. Croix contains the town of Osceola. The river is accessible for kayaking and canoeing, and the boat launch at Osceola Landing in the village with the same name is a great option.

For a more contained experience, locals and tourist generally enjoy Lotus Lake Park on 90th Avenue. The lake is popular for fishing, with an abundance of species like northern pike, largemouth bass, and panfish. American lotus beds dot the lake while park goers view from the picnic shelter or the playground. For off-water sightseeing, Stower Seven Lakes State Trail has a trailhead in Osceola. This 14-mile crushed limestone path has rest areas along its route and is great for beginners and seasoned hikers alike. Purchase a trail pass and get access to biking in the summer or skiing in the winter months. The wide-open spaces make golf a sure thing, and Krooked Kreek Golf Course is only two miles from Osceola. The course incorporates the natural beauty and wildlife of the region, with a creek that meanders gently through the 18-hole green space.

Merrimac

The Wisconsin River is actually the longest river in the state. A tributary of the Mississippi, the Wisconsin comes from a rich fishing, logging, and transportation history. Merrimac is a small Wisconsin River town in Sauk County. However, Merrimac is a small town with a lot to offer. A unique attraction is the Merrimac Ferry, Wisconsin's only free ferry, which crosses the Wisconsin River between Sauk and Columbia counties. It operates seven days a week from spring through fall. Of course, fishing and boating opportunities are abundant. Merrimac is on Lake Wisconsin, a reservoir formed by the Prairie du Sac Dam. Summertime is known for walleye fishing and camping on one of the sandbars.

About ten miles north is Devil's Lake State Park, a natural area that sees millions of visitors each year. There are more than 29 miles of trails, including easy walks like the Johnson Moraine Trail and challenging excursions like the Devil's Doorway. Picnic shelters can be rented in advance. Devil's Lake is also stocked with brown trout, walleye, and northern pike. The north and south shores of the lake are also beach swimming areas with bathhouse accommodations.

Spring Green

Another small town on the Wisconsin River is Spring Green, a lovely agricultural area with lots of space and river access. Spring Green is also located in Sauk County on the Wisconsin. People genuinely enjoy the beauty of nature at Tower Hill State Park, located in the driftless area. Visitors can see the remains of a historic shot tower, used to manufacture lead shot that allowed this area of Wisconsin to build its economy in the 19th century. There are eight miles of walking trails that allow visitors to explore the grounds, birdwatch, or wander the riverbanks.

While the natural landscape has much to offer, architecture buffs will love that Spring Green is near Frank Lloyd Wright's Taliesin Preservation. Taliesin was Frank Lloyd Wright's home, now a series of structures that function to preserve his legacy. Private, group, and self-guided tours are full of information about Wright and views of his work spaces, like his drafting studio. Those looking for more can check out the Frank Lloyd Wright Trail. There are nine sites featuring Wright's designs that are highlighted for their significance as artifacts of Wisconsin's culture.

Somerset

Along the Apple River is a village called Somerset. The Apple is a historic logging tributary of the St. Croix, attracting hundreds of thousands of tourists yearly. Somerset has nine different municipal parks. Village Park is a relaxing green area with ball fields and a trail with a footbridge crossing the Apple River. This park is also home to Somerset's festival, Pea Soup Days. The days-long festival features carnival rides, a parade, races, and live music. Live music can also be enjoyed all season at the Somerset Amphitheatre. The venue features popular musicians, but can also be rented for private events and corporate gatherings. The amphitheatre is also a popular camping destination. Three campgrounds, including a VIP one with restroom access, are available.

For those seeking more open space, La Grandeur Natural Area is a 26-acre solution. Walking and hiking paths are maintained throughout the year and allow for easy, relaxing time spent in the forest. View wildlife from the edge of the park's pond, or try out the disc golf course for some structured fun. Many of the Somerset parks feature dedicated kids areas with playground equipment. For an outdoor stay, tourists love River's Edge Apple River Campground. They offer tent, RV, and seasonal rental campsites. There's also access to three miles of river for tubing on a sunny summer afternoon. For a more luxurious stay, the campground offers cabins and a tiny home for rent that sleep multiple people.

Out on the (River) Town

The river towns of Wisconsin make spending time outdoors easy and enjoyable. The bluffs of Spring Green and the lakes of Merrimac offer so much to do and see. These towns may be small, but they are broad in what they have to offer and deep in what can be gained from exploration. The locals feel the intrinsic value of nature and savor what it means to be a town on the river. The expansive space makes for an expansive experience. The character of Wisconsin river towns is as enduring as the nature that surrounds them.