Day Trip Ideas
Drive Enjoy a scenic 7.5 mile drive along Rustic Road 66 in the southwest corner of the county, located just off County W in the town of Benton. Look for an abandoned lead mine, complete with tin shacks, rusted ore buckets and piles of tailings. This stretch of road offers you a gorgeous drive, especially in autumn with a display of spectacular fall colors. While in this part of Lafayette County, you really should make a detour to Gravity Hill and experience something that defies common sense. Just a couple miles outside Shullsburg on County Road U, the highway plunges down a steep hill, across a low area and curves back up a steeper hill. Stop your car about three-quarters of the way down the first hill, just short of the 25 mph sign (the spot is also marked on the road) and shift your vehicle into neutral. You will start rolling backward up the hill, gradually picking up speed. You have to be there to believe it.
Canoe Fever River is 29.4 miles long, 28 feet average width, 1.2 feet average depth, and base flow is 22 cfs (cubic feet per second). This is an enjoyable one day canoe ride. The Fever River is considered to be the best small stream for smallmouth bass fishing in the area. There is also 14 miles of public fishing easement along the river for more fishing enjoyment.
Bike The back-roads of Lafayette County also offer something special for bikes with less horsepower. With fewer people and more hills, bicyclists will find the county a rewarding place to peddle. There are plenty of places to stop for a bite to eat along the way and lodging or camping for rest as you wind your way through the beautiful countryside. Cycle Southwest Wisconsin provides some great ideas for loops to complete throughout the region; they can be found at www.cyclesouthwestwisconsin.com.
New in 2018, the Mound View State Trail is now open as a bike and pedestrian trail. This trail links Belmont and the Pecatonica State Trail to the Roundtree Branch Trail in Platteville. Please be advised that the Mound View State trail is non-motorized.
Hike Near Yellowstone Lake State Park, you will find the Yellowstone Wildlife Area, a 4,000-acre property located in Lafayette County. The property consists mostly of rolling upland grass and agricultural fields, with scattered woods and old oak savannah. Find it on County Road F between Darlington and Blanchardville.
The Yellowstone Wildlife Area offers many recreational activities including: birding, cross country skiing, hiking Horseback riding, hunting, snowmobiling, trapping, wild edibles/gathering and wildlife viewing.
Eat World Champion Cheeses that are featured all over the world, are made right here in Lafayette County. We have a plethora of cheese varieties for you to try including French, Finnish, goat, Mexican and of course Swiss inspired cheeses. Our specialty cheese producers go above and beyond to create a product that will awaken your taste buds and leave you yearning for more. For locations of local cheese factories, click here!
