Wander with us in the stunning Driftless landscape on this jam-packed adventure to Wisconsin’s cutest town.
If you’ve never been to Viroqua, Wisconsin before: buckle up. Set inside the beautiful Driftless scenery that marks this region is one of the most thriving small towns in the Midwest, full of delicious food, amazing access to nature and unique experiences from locals who love their town. On this trip, we’re experiencing it all!
Highlights of the weekend include a private guided hike and immersive ecology class with local expert Linda Conroy of Moonwise Herbs, whose decades of knowledge bring the Driftless landscape to life through plants, stories, and seasonal rhythms. We’ll also explore the Kickapoo Valley Reserve on foot, soaking in sweeping views and limestone bluffs, before slowing things down with a peaceful paddle along the winding Kickapoo River — an ideal way to experience the area from a new perspective and truly settle into the pace of the place.
Evenings are just as intentional, with time to savor excellent food, including a memorable meal at the beloved Driftless Café, known for its elevated, locally sourced cuisine. This long weekend is about curiosity, comfort, and connection — pairing expert-led outdoor experiences with the pleasures of a thriving small town. Expect the kind of travel that feels enriching rather than exhausting.
Adventure Rating: Beginner
This trip is rated Beginner because of easy access to modern accommodations and amenities, and activities that are in reach for many folks. The Kickapoo River is beginner friendly, but it would benefit participants to prepare themselves by taking some practice paddles or watching instructional videos that will be shared with participants before the trip.
ACTIVITIES
Private Wild Food/Wild Medicine class with Linda Conroy of Moonwise Herbs: Our environment is rich with both food and medicinal. We invite you to join experienced Herbalist and Forager Linda Conroy for an immersive botanical walk. We’ll convene at Driftless Magic Farm to acquire knowledge in identifying and harvesting plants for culinary and medicinal applications. During our excursion, we will gather various plants to prepare a "Wild Salad" to enjoy. Participants will also make an infused plant vinegar to take home.
Hiking at Kickapoo Valley Reserve (KVR): We’ll enjoy a beautiful afternoon at KVR, an 8,000+ acre reserve managed by the state of Wisconsin and the Ho-Chunk Nation. One of the most beautiful areas in the state, KVR is recognized as a National Natural Landmark, a State Natural Area, a National Recreation Trail, an Important Bird Habitat Area, Dark Sky Preservation Area and one of Wisconsin’s Wetland Gems. The combination of geologic features with abundant water resources results in magnificent sandstone cliffs, beneficial floodplain forests, and hardwood-covered bluffs towering over the ancient Kickapoo River.
Paddle the Kickapoo River: Translated locally as “the crooked river”, the Kickapoo is one of the most gorgeous paddles in the entire Midwest, with towering limestone cliffs, abundant wildlife and gentle, easy paddling. We’ll spend an amazing morning on the river, taking our time to soak in its beauty.
Dinner at the Driftless Café: One of the Midwest’s best kept secrets, the Driftless Café is a foodie destination where the region’s agricultural abundance shines through elevated, seasonal dishes prepared by renowned chefs. We don’t want to promise too much, but prepare yourself for one of the best meals of your life.
In-town exploration: We’ve built in an afternoon of free time to explore the local businesses and small shops that call Viroqua home
ACCOMMODATIONS & LOCATION
We’ll be staying at a private rented residence just 10 minutes north of Viroqua, with easy access to our hiking and paddling destinations. A former B&B, it’s a roomy and grandma-core home with a few different sleeping options. Participants will select their preferred rooming arrangement at registration.
About Viroqua
Viroqua is a thriving small town in the heart of Wisconsin’s Driftless region, known for its strong small business community, access to world-class nature and outdoor experiences, and its local food scene, being surrounded by one of the most dense concentrations of organic farms in the country (nearly 200).
GETTING THERE
If you are flying in from outside of Wisconsin, the closest airport is the LaCrosse Regional Airport (about an hour drive away), though flights may be more reasonable through the Rochester International Airport (about a 2 hour drive away). You’ll need to rent a car to get to the Wyalusing, or arrange carpool with a local Wanderer. Carpooling details are sent pre-trip in the private trip Discord channel. Carpooling arrangements can’t be guaranteed, but we try our best to connect Wanderers for coordination!
WHAT’S INCLUDED
Your registration provides you:
Expert planning and a professional Wander Women guides to help make the weekend as seamless and fun as possible!
Three nights of comfortable lodging in local private home
All food for the weekend, minus one dinner, prepared by your guide, including breakfasts, lunches, dinners, snacks and beverages
Private class registration with Linda Conroy of Moonrise Herbs
Paddling rental, including: boat, lifejacket and paddle
Guided interpretive nature hike at Kickapoo Valley Preserve
Wanderer swag bag full of goodies
A private trip Discord channel to connect with guides and fellow participants before & after the trip
Comprehensive pre-trip online guide with detailed logistics, packing recommendations, and trip tips
WHAT’S NOT INCLUDED
Participants will be responsible for providing/paying for:
Transportation to/from the trip (we always encourage carpooling and can connect you with other participants to ride with!) and to trip activity locations
Dinner at the Driftless Café
Gear: Participants are able to rent camping gear from Wander Women
Kickapoo Valley Preserve entrance fee
INVESTMENT
There are multiple bed and room choices for this trip — pick which is best for you!
Shared Room Twin: $635
Shared Room Double: $675
Private Room Double: $755
PAYMENT PLAN
We offer payment plans for all our trips, so you can pay a deposit now and the rest over time! WeTravel (our booking platform) easily lets you make a downpayment (this is also your non-refundable trip deposit!) and set up automatic payments for the remainder. For the payment plan schedule, just check the WeTravel page for details. There is NO fee for choosing the payment plan option!
Deposit for this trip: $315 / $335 / $375