There’s not a bad day to visit Viroqua. But on those special mornings when the sun shines bright and the family’s up for a little adventure, it’s an ideal place to head for a hike.
Vernon County, in the heart of Wisconsin’s breathtaking Driftless Region, offers plenty of options when it comes to trails. But with two young kids in our crew, a relatively flat two-mile loop around a reservoir at Sidie Hollow County Park sounded like a good fit.
We parked near the boat landing on the east side of the thirty-eight-acre Sidie Hollow Lake and began the trek.
About halfway in, we paused at a the park’s main camping area. We bypassed the playground for a nearby stream, wading in to cool down. The boys tossed rocks into the water, and it was just the break we needed before hitting the trail again.
While the first part of the trail took us through a wooded area, the second half opened up to offer expansive views — the best of both worlds on a hike. We saw fish and turtles (and mosquitoes) at the lake and talked about how it would be a great spot to go fishing sometime.
After completing the loop, we all agree on our next stop: lunch! Located on Viroqua’s Main Street, in a former 1940s gas station, Kickapoo Coffee serves up local- and organic-focused breakfast, lunch and bakery treats, plus fantastic coffee. The boys loved their grilled cheeses paired with Wisco Pop, the craft soda made just down the street.
A short stroll through downtown topped off the trip. And with full bellies and tired legs, we headed home.
– Nikki Carrico