Kickapoo Valley Reserve

05/14/2026

Weekend Recreation Update
TRAIL STATUS: Equestrian and bike trails are OPEN. Remember to share the trail with other users. Brush up on trail etiquette on our website. Always check trail status prior to heading out.https://kvr.state.wi.us/Documents/Recreation/TrailEttiquette-KVRprintOnly%205-6-21.pdf

KICKAPOO RIVER WATER TRAIL STATUS: Expect cold water. There is a total blockage with difficult portage between Landing 12 and Bridge 13 and a total blockage between Bridge 16 and Bridge 18. Crews are working on blockages as conditions allow. Stay safe and wear a PFD.

DOGS: Dogs are welcome on the Kickapoo Valley Reserve. However, ALL dogs are required to be on leash between April 15 and July 31 to protect nesting birds and new arrivals. This doesn’t mean other people’s dogs. It means your dog. We appreciate everyone making sure to keep dogs leashed when visiting. This includes on trails and in campsites. Leashing your dog only when someone is watching, isn’t good etiquette. Help us preserve and protect the Kickapoo Valley Reserve, even from old, friendly dogs.

CAMPING: There is very limited availability for the weekend. Call the Visitor Center for availability. Campsites for Memorial Day weekend are full. If you would like to be put on a waiting list, call the Visitor Center.

HUNTING & FISHING: Turkey hunters are having some success. Weister Creek and Warner Creek are fishing well. Trail users should wear bright clothing during hunting seasons.

FLOWER LOOKERS: The Great White Trilliums are center stage! The South Gate area of Old Hwy 131 Trail is alive with them! Little Canada Trail is showing off Wild Ginger and Wild Geraniums and more. The Visitor Center Trail has Greek Valarian, Solomons Seal, Wood Violets and a few Wood Anemone hanging on. Most any trail on the KVR has flowers and is worth a visit.

BIRD WATCHERS: Another busy day in the bird world! The floodplain forests are hosting a symphony of birds, some passing through and some preparing to stay. We think we heard a couple uncommon birds that are likely migrating through our area, Hermit Thrush and a Semipalmated Plover, were using the invaluable resource the Kickapoo Valley Reserve has to offer. We suggest visiting flood plain forests heading south from the North gate (Landing 12) on Old Hwy 131 Trail or between Bridge 15 and16 along Old Hwy 131 Trail. The frogs will serenade you in those spots too! “Lights Out” tonight again while an estimated 343 million migrators take to the skies over Wisconsin! https://birdcast.org/migration-tools/migration-forecast-maps/

ROAD CONSTRUCTION: Road construction continues on State Road 131 between La Farge and Ontario. Visitors to the KVR and Kickapoo River are considered local traffic and can find alternate routes on our website. kickapoovalley.wi.gov

LEAVE NO TRACE: Clean up after yourself, your pets and your animals. Leave the Kickapoo Valley Reserve cleaner than when you found it. Do not burn trash in fire pits. Absolutely no glass is allowed on the river.

VOLUNTEER: Anyone willing and able is asked to spend some time pulling Garlic Mustard while visiting the KVR. Plants should be pulled, root and all and bagged, because the seed is already viable. We supply the bags and the locations and will retrieve filled, tied shut bags from the woods if you let us know where they are! A huge thank you to all who spend a little time helping us with this aggressive invasive species.

VISITOR PASS: Don't forget your KVR specific day or annual pass. You can get a pass online or at the Visitor Center.
kickapoovalley.wi.gov

05/11/2026

Check out this forecast!
https://birdcast.org/migration-tools/migration-forecast-maps/

An estimated 385 million birds will use the night sky in their migration tonight, many of them in our area! Help ensure their safe passage by turning off any unnecessary lights. The Kickapoo Valley Reserve is part of an important bird area, for both resident and migratory species. We keep our skies dark as a conservation effort. There are so many benefits to dark skies for animals, birds and humans alike. Join us in taking steps to decrease excess light at night! "Lights Out!"

Bird watching (and listening) is a great activity this time of year! In a quick afternoon survey, we heard, saw and identified over 30 different species on the KVR today alone!

Don't forget you need a pass to visit the KVR, including to enjoy birdwatching. You can choose from a day, annual or Friends of Kickapoo Valley Reserve membership. All are available online or at the Visitor Center. kickapoovalley.wi.gov

05/08/2026

Weekend Recreation Update:

Trail Status: Check our website for the most up to date trail status information: kickapoovalley.wi.gov

Kickapoo River Status: Expect cold water and some mud along the banks. There is a total blockage with difficult portage between Landing 12 and Bridge 13 and a total blockage between Bridge 16 and Bridge 18. Crews are working on blockages as conditions allow. Stay safe and wear a PFD.

Camping: Availability is limited for the next few weekends . Other times fill quickly. Book a campsite online or call the Visitor Center for the most up to date availability. Campsites can be booked up to 45 days in advance.

Leave No Trace: Remember to leave no trace of your visit. Clean up after yourself. Burn only dead or down or locally purchased firewood in the designated fire ring in a campsite.

Hunting & Fishing: Turkey hunting and trout fishing are in full swing. Users are reminded to wear bright clothing when on the trails. The KVR is open to public hunting and fishing. WI DNR licenses, rules and regulations apply.

Flower Lookers: The spring ephemerals are really stunning! We suggest Blackhawk Trail or Little Canada Trail for some great spring ephemeral viewing. Wintergreen Bluff Trail from the Visitor Center is a shorter hike and rich with wild ginger, trilliums and more! The bluebells are wonderful along Bridge 14 Trail, and near Landing 10.

Bird Watchers: Migrators are arriving daily. A walk on most any trail right now will reveal some great sightings. This week, we are seeing the first of many gosling broods out trying out their swimming skills. The ponds and wetlands on the KVR support many nesting bird species. Bring your binoculars and cameras!

Road Construction: View our website for the most up to date information on recreation access to the Kickapoo Valley Reserve.

Visitor Pass: Don't forget your KVR specific day or annual pass. You can get a pass online or at the Visitor Center.
kickapoovalley.wi.gov

05/05/2026

TRAIL STATUS UPDATE:
Equestrian and bike trails are OPEN. Please report any issues. Make sure you have a pass for the Kickapoo Valley Reserve (WI State Park and Trail passes do not apply on the KVR). Always check trail status prior to heading out. Stay safe, leave no trace, help preserve and protect the KVR and enjoy.

05/05/2026

Kickapoo Valley Reserve is a wonderful part of the Kickapoo Valley Dark Sky Initiative along with Mississippi Valley Conservancy's Tunnelville Cliffs and Wildcat Mountain State Park. Working together to conserve places where fireflies thrive and the Milky Way is still visible! 🌌

Why do dark skies matter to fireflies? In this article, Frank Dravis shares some reflections on the effects of light pollution on fireflies and the importance of protected lands where they can reproduce without the threat of pesticides.

Learn more here: https://www.mississippivalleyconservancy.org/wild-reads/fireflies-driftless-why-dark-skies-matter



(Photo by Mike Lewinski)

05/04/2026

What better day to highlight astronomy and the night sky than May the 4th! Set your alarm clocks and roust yourself between 2am and 5am on May 6th and look to the eastern night sky! A bright waning gibbons moon may cause some natural light tresspass and hinder the ability to best view the Eta Aquarid meteor shower, but it will still be worth it! The Eta Aquarid meteor shower is one that produces high-speed meteors with glowing "trains" that stay lit for several seconds. The Kickapoo Valley Reserve has great dark skies, thanks in part to the work of our friends at Kickapoo Valley Dark Sky Initiative.
Be sure to check out this natural night sky show and watch for more programs featuring the night sky!
Learn more about the night sky here: https://kvr.state.wi.us/Natural-Features/Dark-Sky

05/01/2026

Welcome May!
Weekend Recreation Update:

Trail Status: May 1, Equestrian and bike trails are closed to due to wet conditions. Old Hwy 131 Trail and Star Valley Trail are open to horse and bike use.

Kickapoo River Status: Expect cold water and some mud along the banks. There is a total blockage with difficult portage between Landing 12 and Bridge 13 and a total blockage between Bridge 16 and Bridge 18.

Camping: Campsites at the KVR are full for this weekend. Other times fill quickly. Book a campsite online or call the Visitor Center for the most up to date availability.

Leave No Trace: Remember to leave no trace of your visit. Clean up after yourself. Burn only dead or down or locally purchased firewood in the designated fire ring.

Hunting & Fishing: Turkey hunting is in full swing. Users are reminded to wear bright clothing. The KVR is open to public hunting and fishing. WI DNR licenses, rules and regulations apply.

Flower Lookers: The spring ephemerals are really stunning! We suggest Bailout Trail or West Ridge Trail in from the south for some great spring ephemeral viewing. Don't have time for a long hike? Wintergreen Bluff Trail from the Visitor Center will surely not disappoint. The bluebells are spectacular on Bridge 14 Trail, near Landing 10 and along Old Hwy 131 Trail near Schroeder's Pond.

Bird Watchers: Migrators are arriving daily. A walk on most any trail right now will reveal some great sightings. Bring your binoculars and cameras!

Road Construction: View our website for the most up to date information on recreation access to the Kickapoo Valley Reserve.

Visitor Pass: Don't forget that you need a KVR specific day or annual pass to be on the property. You can get a pass online or at the Visitor Center.

kickapoovalley.wi.gov

04/25/2026

Saturday, April 25, 2026, we wrap up Earth Week with a Star Party at the Visitor Center 8-9 pm.
The skies should be clear enough, we will have the telescopes out!
Free and open to the public! Join us!

04/24/2026

Join us for an Earth Day Celebration Saturday, April 25!
All activities happen at the Visitor Center, S3661 State Road 131, La Farge, WI.
Beginning at 2pm with the Driftless Dialogue Poetry & Nature with Wisconsin Poet Laureate Brenda Cárdenas and local Student Poets of Merit.
3pm Family Hike with a Naturalist, Children's Earth Day Activities and kite flying, planet walk.
Be serenaded by the the frogs at a Star Party with telescopes beginning at 8pm on the deck of the Visitor Center.
Everyone is welcome! There is no cost for these programs.
We hope you can join us!

04/23/2026

ATTENTION VISITORS TO THE KICKAPOO VALLEY RESERVE: Please be aware there is road construction on State Road 131 between La Farge and Ontario, scheduled from April to November 2026. This road project creates road closures and detours. Please check our website for the most up to date information on the construction project and how to best navigate local roads to enjoy Kickapoo Valley Reserve recreation access. kickapoovalley.wi.gov

04/22/2026

Right on cue for Earth Day! Here come the migrators! Join us in helping them arrive safely and turn off any unnecessary lights! Dark skies are best for migration, so help roll out the darkness carpet for our migrating feathered friends.

Check out this live bird migration map https://birdcast.org/migration-tools/live-migration-maps/

Want to learn more about protecting dark skies for migrators and every other lifeform? Check out the work our friends at Kickapoo Valley Dark Sky Initiative are doing! With their help, the Kickapoo Valley Reserve Visitor Center has made simple changes to our outdoor lighting that protects dark skies. You can make simple changes too and even save some money! Happy Earth Day!