Vernon County
Steeped in Heritage

Deep in the heart of Wisconsin's Hidden Valleys lies Vernon County, a place so quiet and beautiful that it's often referred to as "God's Country." Bordered by the Mississippi River and located in Southwestern Wisconsin, Vernon County was untouched by the glacial drift so the hills and valleys are  as inviting today as they were when the area was settled in the 1800's.  Vernon County is rich in history, with ethnic communities such as Hillsboro, Westby, Coon Valley, La Farge, Ontario, and Viroqua, proudly preserving and celebrating  their European traditions. 

Vernon County is proud of its strong business, industrial and agriculture base, supported by people with old fashioned work ethics. Today new industrial parks are providing a strong and growing economic climate for Vernon County. The area is known for its dairy farming and cheese production and Hillsboro is the only manufacturer of New Holstein Muenster cheese in the United States. A visit to Vernon County is not complete without a taste of a variety of fresh cheese.

Community

Vernon County celebrates the ethnic backgrounds of its residents, including Norwegian, Czech, Italian, German, and Bohemian, with many events and festivals throughout the year. The largest Amish settlement in Wisconsin is found in this area. Amish wares are advertised by road side signs and include maple syrup, hickory bent furniture, produce, bakery goods, candy, cheese, rugs and quilts. 

Vacation Paradise

In every season, winter, spring, summer and fall, Vernon County offers both residents and tourists all kinds of wonderful vacation opportunities. In the winter Vernon County features great eagle watching, ski jumping, snowmobiling with over 237 miles of trail, cross-country skiing and downhill skiing. In spring  there's a two mile walking cross country trail, turkey  hunting and the start of many wonderful ethnic and community festivals and celebrations.

In the summer enjoy camping, biking, all kinds of water sports and activities, canoeing and fishing. Vernon County features 200 miles of trout streams and some of the best trout fishing anywhere. On the Kickapoo River, which is the crookedest river in Wisconsin, enjoy captivating scenery. Whether driving or biking along it or canoeing down the slow-moving river, you can view 30-ft.- tall limestone bluffs, rolling hillsides and picturesque valleys.

In fall enjoy some of the most spectacular colors on the county's wooded slope. For the hunter, Vernon County provides great deer and fall turkey hunting as well as Walleye fishing on the Mississippi.

One of the most beautiful areas in the Midwest is the Kickapoo Valley Reserve, an 8,569 acre tract of land located between the villages of La Farge and Ontario
in Vernon County. In the Kickapoo Valley Reserve, you'll be amazed by the beauty of the masses of spring wildflowers and dense greenery through mid-summer and by the brilliant colors of hardwood timber in autumn. The Reserve offers a variety of fantastic recreation: fishing and hunting; horseback, biking, hiking and snowmobile trails; cross-country skiing and snowshoeing; camping and canoeing. 

The area's historical past is reflected in well-preserved architectural treasures, churches, homes, river front inns, museums, ethnic festivals and tours. In Vernon County  you'll see round barns, which were the design choice from the late 1800's until the 1930's. Today the area has 15 round barns still standing, more than any other county in the world.

Area Attractions

• Vernon County Museum

• Sherry-Butt House

• Historic Church and School, Viroqua

• Battle Island and Blackhawk's Retreat

• Hillsboro Historical Society Museum & Log Cabin

• Albert Field Memorial Park, Hillsboro

• Coon Prairie Church, Westby

• Kickapoo Valley Reserve & Kickapoo River

• Thrune Nature Center & Helga Gundersen Arboretum

• Wildcat Mountain State Park, Ontario

• Black Hawk Park, De Soto

• Upper Mississippi River National Wildlife & Fish Refuge Mississippi River, Onalaska

• River Trails

• Great River Road

• Amish Settlements

• Round Barns

• Olympic Ski Jump, Westby

• Lock & Dam #8, Genoa

• Cheese House and Factory, Hillsboro

• Coon Creek Watershed

Shopping, Dining & Lodging

In addition to beautiful scenery, historical sites and outdoor adventures, opportunities for antique and bargain hunters are plentiful with auctions, antique shops, garage sales and flea markets. There are many unique gift cart and bargain shops selling pottery, sculpture, jewelry, weaving, painting, photographs, needlework and other crafts made by local skilled artisans who have made Vernon County their home. 

While enjoying the sights and activities, Vernon County offers great ethnic cuisine as well as traditional homemade cooking. Accommodations fit all interests from camping on a Mississippi sandbar to a stay at a historic bed and breakfast inn and from a rustic log cabin in the woods to a houseboat on the Mississippi.

Enjoy the beautiful sights, the rolling countryside, the historic rivers, the scenic farms and forests, tranquil back roads, peaceful valleys, crystal air and friendly people when you visit -

Vernon County

Business Directory for Westby, Viroqua, Clinton, Bergen, Hillsboro, Jefferson, Franklin, Christiana, Hamburg, Stoddard, La Farge, Greenwood, Hillsboro and neighboring Wisconsin communities

Click here for area parks, museums, attractions and things to do.