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The Kickapoo Valley Reserve, an 8,569-acre tract of land between the villages of La Farge and Ontario, offers a variety of recreational and educational activities year-round.

There are more than 25 miles of paved roads in and around the reserve for touring bikes, 18 miles of mountain bike trails, 23 primitive campsites, more than 50 miles of designated hiking trails and 47 miles of designated equestrian trails.

“For an easy hike to see the geology, take the Visitor Center Loop,” said Marcy West, executive director of the reserve. “It gives you an idea, had the lake been built, what would have been under water.”

No fees or passes are required to take the Visitor Center Loop.

West said the most-used trail is Old 131 Trail, as it is used by horseback riders, bicyclists and hikers. The blacktop trail takes outdoor enthusiasts from La Farge to Rockton “without vehicle interference,” she said.

“Folks who want to get out to hike have the option to hike for hours,” West continued.

Timber bridges are a part of the trails on the reserve. The old Hwy. 131 was abandoned when the lake was going to be built. In the 1980s, the original bridges were removed by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, to discourage people from using them.

In 2000, the Kickapoo Reserve Management Board received federal and state grants to build the wooden bridges; Old 131 Trail reopened in 2002. The most unique bridge is Bridge 18, a covered bridge which is considered the property’s south entrance.

The late George Nettum of Viroqua and past member of the Kickapoo Reserve Management Board, was behind having the covered bridge constructed.

“It’s his bridge,” West said.

The bridge, which is on the Old 131 Trail, has been the site for weddings and other special ceremonies.

“Folks really appreciate it; it’s a little different,” she said.

Another feature that’s “a little different” are the 23 primitive campsites spread throughout the reserve. Some are vehicle accessible, some are river sites and others are walk-in only. Each site can accommodate 10 people.

“Unlike at a state park or private campground, it’s secluded,” West said. “The campsite is yours, so to speak. You wake up to a wonderful view.

“The village of La Farge installed new showers and toilets at the village campground and Wildcat (Mountain State Park) has amenities,” West continued. “The area can serve a niche -- you can rough it or kinda rough it.”

Some sites accommodate campers and their horses.

“It’s a unique hobby, to camp with horses,” West said.

Most campsites in the reserve connect to the Kickapoo River or trails. Reservations are not required; sites are available on a first-come-first-served basis.

One of the vehicle-accessible campsites is Ma and Pa’s Park, which is maintained by the Tunks and Sebranek families who also provided a picnic table. West said this site “fascinates” visitors, as it features a flowing well from a spring.

The reserve also allows visitors the opportunity to enjoy the outdoors while bird-watching.

West said there is an increase in the number of people coming to the reserve for birding.

A pocket-size brochure entitled “Birds of the Kickapoo Valley Reserve,” lists the various species that can be viewed and a birding checklist.

Trout fishing is also becoming more of a draw because of stream restoration efforts and improved water quality on Warner, Billings and Weister creeks.

“We are hearing from folks trout fishing is improving,” West said.

The three creeks feed into the main stem of the Kickapoo River.

“Old-timers say it’s awesome for trout fishing,” West said. “Trout can be found in the big holes of the main stem of the Kickapoo.”

Canoeing is another water-based activity on the reserve. The reserve keeps the river passable from Bridge 5 to La Farge.

“Some have never canoed the Kickapoo south of Rockton,” West said. “There’s less traffic and you see something you may not have seen before.

“Access ramps were added to protect the banks and made it user-friendly for folks of all ages and abilities,” West continued -- recalling numerous times slipping and sliding down banks to access canoes.

Winter activities, such as cross-country skiing, snowmobiling and snowshoeing, also attract visitors.

The reserve includes farm fields, which are leased on a six-year rotation. All of the money is put back into the reserve.

“The cropland is unique,” West said. “It helps the hunting aspect. Public hunting land is getting hard to come by. Some people say hunting is a getting to be a rich man’s sport.

“I think having land open to public hunting is good for folks without their own land and helps those businesses (related to hunting),” West continued.

Educational opportunities abound at the reserve. There are summer courses for adults and children, Saturday and evening programming and opportunities for school and group visits.

Who visits the reserve?

Each year, 10,000 people pass through the visitor center, located 1.5 miles north of La Farge on State Hwy. 131.

“It will be interesting to see if that will go up or down because of the gas prices,” West said.

West said because the reserve is a large property with multiple points of entry, it is difficult to calculate the total number of visitors.

ZIP code mapping was done by a college student a couple years ago, and it showed the core group of visitors are people from area local communities.

“We saw a lot from southeast Minnesota, northeast Iowa, northern Illinois, Milwaukee and Minneapolis,” West said. “There is a circle people who are willing to drive four hours to get to a destination. People still do regional trips.

“Iowa visitors rave about the horseback riding and hiking,” she continued.

School groups also come to the reserve for tours and educational programs.

“Last year we had 2,000 in one month for the education programming,” West said. “This year there will be a definite increase.”

There has been an increase in the number of school groups coming from out of the immediate Vernon County area. This spring, groups from Tomah, Aquinas and charter schools from Appleton and Milwaukee visited the reserve.

Motorcyclists are also drawn to the reserve.

“The number is just amazing. They come from quite a distance,” West said.

West said there is a mix of former landowners who come to visit the reserve.

“Some have accepted that they lost their farm. Some folks still are upset and won’t come back,” West said. “I can’t say I know what they’ve gone through, but if I could change things I would...

“We try to be accommodating to the former landowners if they want to have a reunion or go on the old Hwy. 131 access,” West continued.

Reserve has

wide-reaching appeal

The reserve has a ripple affect on the community, West said.

Since October 2003, the reserve has hosted the Dam Challenge Triathlon, which features biking, canoeing and running.

In 2007, the triathlon attracted more than 200 participants and West said the event this year could reach 300. One hundred volunteers help make the event, which is the main fund-raiser for the reserve’s educational programs, run smoothly.

“People have so much fun,” West said.

The first event attracted 50 participants.

The athletes, and those who come to cheer them on, support area lodging establishments and other businesses.

The reserve cooperates with community events, such as Ontario and La Farge’s Fourth of July celebrations. Following the communities’ parades, the reserve opens the Old 131 Trail to vehicle traffic.

As one drives through the area surrounding the reserve, one spots family businesses tucked in the valleys and on the hills. Some of the businesses are End of the Trail Equine Campground, on Cass Valley Road, Ontario; The Blue Goose, a pizza and ice cream parlor and Country Woman Soap, both located along 24 Valley Road, La Farge.

“There are these unique, tucked-away places,” West said. “There are folks who grew up here and come back and can’t believe it’s here -- who get off the interstate want to explore.

“The Department of Tourism says people want experiential vacation experiences -- they want to do something,” West continued.

Anyone interested in visiting the reserve is encouraged to visit http://kvr.state.wi.us, to check on trail conditions.