With more round barns than any other county in Wisconsin, Vernon County has a distinctive character. The county lies in the Driftless Region between La Crosse County and Crawford County, and along the middle section of the Wisconsin Great River Road. Its landscapes, trails, and cultural sites reveal the region’s many different sides.
Round Barns and County Stories
The round barns define Vernon County’s historic character: there are currently more here than in any other county in Wisconsin. Individual buildings also tell stories of different eras. The Historic Sherry-Butt House was built in the Federal style in 1870. Today, it displays artifacts from the American Civil War. The building’s age and architecture provide a tangible historical connection, while the exhibits offer another perspective on the past.
Old St. Mary’s Church is now a museum about church life in Vernon County. Tours can be arranged by appointment; be sure to coordinate your visit in advance. The Foreaker One Room Schoolhouse offers a different glimpse of everyday life: its interior is fully furnished and looks as it did when the building was used as a school.
Norskedalen also brings together cultural and natural heritage. The center is dedicated to preserving, interpreting, and sharing the natural environment and cultural heritage of the area around Coon Valley in southwestern Wisconsin. The Bekkum Homestead aims to recreate a typical Norwegian immigrant farm from the turn of the 20th century. A museum gallery focuses in particular on the importance of folk art and music to Norwegian immigrants and their descendants.
At the Vernon County Museum, you’ll encounter artifacts used by Native Americans and agricultural pioneers. Together with the historic buildings and Norskedalen’s focus on culture and nature, they offer a multifaceted picture of regional history.
Landscapes and Trails of All Sizes
The Kickapoo Valley Reserve covers 8,569 acres between the villages of La Farge and Ontario in southwestern Wisconsin. Sandstone outcrops rise above the Kickapoo River. Wildcat Mountain State Park offers 21 miles of scenic hiking, nature, and horseback riding trails. An overlook and picnic areas offer views of the Kickapoo Valley.
Romance Woods offers a smaller-scale but varied landscape: the preserve covers 35 acres of oak woods, rocky dolomite outcrops, and a seasonal stream. A former logging road runs through the property and serves as a public trail for hiking, birdwatching, and snowshoeing. When choosing an outing, you can explore different types of landscapes and activities.
Trail lengths also vary considerably. The Pine Loop Trail in Norskedalen is a 1.5-mile loop through a pine forest and mature hardwood forest; along the way, the trail passes a spring. The Viroqua Westby Trail, formerly the Coon Prairie Trail, is a five-mile paved multi-use trail connecting Viroqua and Westby. It was completed in 2011. In Viroqua, the Heritage Hike passes through one of the city’s oldest and most representative residential neighborhoods, by centuries-old homes, churches, and schools. The walks there take about half an hour to a full hour.
Sidie Hollow County Park adds water and more recreational options to the mix. The park covers 521 acres and offers a 38-acre lake, two clear, cold trout streams, and nearly 10 miles of multi-use trails for hiking and mountain biking. The nearly 10 miles offer an approximate guide; check the current trail route before your trip. The park also has 74 campsites, two picnic shelters, fishing piers, a boat launch, and two playgrounds.
Agriculture and Local Cuisine
Vernon County currently has more than 200 certified organic farms, many of which supply restaurants and cafés in Viroqua. In this way, agriculture extends beyond the farms and into the local dining scene. Driftless Café draws on the abundance and commitment of local agriculture. If you’d like to get to know the region beyond its culture and landscapes, you’ll also find a connection to its agricultural roots here.
Discover more destinations: Westby, Oneida County, Monroe, Pierce, Eau Claire, Juneau County, Wood County, Ozaukee.
For the broader travel overview: Wisconsin.
