Tucked into Wisconsin’s scenic Driftless Area along the Mississippi River’s bend, Crawford County invites visitors with a rich blend of natural beauty, deep historical roots, and time-honored local celebrations. From river-valley paddles to ancient rock art and community-wide festivals, this county is a memorable stop for the curious traveler.

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A Rich Historical Backdrop​

Crawford County’s story goes back to the pre-settlement era when Native American peoples walked and hunted its ridges and valleys. A striking reminder: Tainter Cave (also called Tombstone Cave) near Clayton houses more than 100 Native-American pictographs and petroglyphs — more in one site than anywhere else known in Wisconsin. In the 19th century, the area became a frontier region with forts, military hospitals, and trading posts. Fort Crawford (1816–1856) located in Prairie du Chien, now stands as a museum where you can trace the county’s role in early U.S. military and river trade history. The county courthouse in Prairie du Chien—built of local limestone in the late 1800s—also marks an architecture-rich legacy.

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Unique Attractions & Outdoor Wonders​

Crawford County’s terrain is something special: more than 70 miles of the winding Kickapoo River, along with stretches of the Mississippi River and the Wisconsin River border the county, giving abundant opportunities for canoeing, fishing, and scenic drives. For nature lovers, areas like the Limery Ridge Savanna preserve bluff-top oak prairies overlooking the Mississippi and reflect the region’s commitment to conservation. Historic roads like Wisconsin’s Great River Road trace along the Mississippi River, allowing you to view both the beauty of the water and the cliffs that soar above you. A truly unique spectacle is the Museum of Unremarkable Objects outside Gays Mills.

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Festivals & Community Celebrations​

When it comes to festivals, Crawford County punches above its weight with heartfelt and authentic local celebrations. Fall is when Crawford County truly shines. The Villa Louis Carriage Classic in Prairie du Chien in early September offers an event unlike any other in the region. Following the Carriage Classic, visitors flock to the Gays Mills area. Back-to-back weekends offer the Driftless Area Art Festival and Gays Mills Apple Festival, always held the last full weekend of September, to celebrate the region’s orchard harvest with cider tastings, arts & crafts, parades, and local food.

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Why Visit?​

Crawford County offers a getaway that blends nature, history, and community in equal measure. Want to paddle a peaceful river corridor in the morning, explore an ancient cave with mysterious artwork by midday, and cap the day with a county fair or apple-festival treat by evening? This is a place that invites slower travel—road-tripping scenic highways, meandering through small villages, sampling local produce, and joining a genuine community celebration. Whether you’re looking for rugged outdoor adventures, historic sites that tell early America’s story, or authentic local festivals with heart, Crawford County delivers. Bring your curiosity, your camera, and discover one of Wisconsin’s lesser-known but deeply rewarding counties.