and Places That Show Its Landscape
What Is the Driftless Region?
The Driftless Region is an area of southwest Wisconsin, plus parts of Minnesota, Iowa, and Illinois, that was never covered by glaciers during the last Ice Age.
Because glaciers skipped this pocket, the land stayed rugged instead of flat:
- Steep ridges
- Deep river valleys
- Limestone bluffs
- Cold spring-fed creeks
The name “Driftless” refers to the lack of glacial drift, the debris glaciers usually leave behind.
Indigenous History and Early Land Use
Long before European settlement, the region was home to Indigenous nations including:
- Ho-Chunk
- Sauk
- Meskwaki (Fox)
- Dakota
The river valleys served as major travel and trade routes for thousands of years.
Indigenous Cultural Landscape
Effigy Mounds National Monument
Website: https://www.nps.gov/efmo
Location: Harpers Ferry, Iowa (near Wisconsin border)
Ancient earthworks shaped like animals, built over 1,000 years ago. These sites show how long people have lived in and honored this landscape.
The Lead Mining Era
In the early 1800s, the Driftless Region became one of the country’s most important lead mining districts.
Mineral Point quickly developed into a major mining town.
Historic Sites
Pendarvis Historic Site — Mineral Point
Website: https://www.wisconsinhistory.org/Records/Property/HI1609
Restored miners’ cottages showing early settlement life.
Mineral Point Historic Downtown
Website: https://mineralpoint.org
One of the best-preserved mining towns in the Midwest.
Hiking and Outdoor Places That Show the Driftless Geography
The landscape makes the most sense when you actually walk it.
Wyalusing State Park
Website: https://dnr.wisconsin.gov/topic/parks/wyalusing
Location: Near Prairie du Chien
Features:
- Bluff overlooks
- Mississippi River views
- Historic travel corridors
Governor Dodge State Park
Website: https://dnr.wisconsin.gov/topic/parks/governordodge
Location: Near Dodgeville
Features:
- Quartzite bluffs
- Waterfalls
- Deep valleys
- Long ridge hikes
This is one of the clearest examples of rugged Driftless terrain.
Wildcat Mountain State Park
Website: https://dnr.wisconsin.gov/topic/parks/wildcatmountain
Location: Near Ontario, WI
Features:
- High ridge overlooks
- Valley views
- Steep hiking routes
Spring Green Preserve (The “Wisconsin Desert”)
Website: https://www.nature.org/en-us/get-involved/how-to-help/places-we-protect/spring-green-preserve/
This is the famous sand prairie near Spring Green that people call the “Wisconsin desert.”
Features:
- Open sandy ground
- Rare prairie plants
- Sharp contrast to surrounding forests
- Evidence of ancient river and glacial-era winds
It’s one of the strangest landscapes in the Midwest and a perfect example of how unusual the Driftless Region really is.
Agricultural and Early Rural Life
After the mining era slowed, the region shifted toward:
- dairy farming
- small agriculture
- railroad towns
Historic Site
Stonefield Historic Site — Cassville
Website: https://www.wisconsinhistory.org/Records/Property/HI1734
A recreated early-1900s farm village with historic buildings and equipment.
The Arts and Cultural Revival
Historic towns like Mineral Point later attracted:
- artists
- preservationists
- craftspeople
Old mining buildings became:
- studios
- galleries
- workshop spaces
Cultural Landmark
Taliesin — Spring Green
Website: https://www.taliesinpreservation.org
Frank Lloyd Wright’s home and studio, one of the most important architectural sites in the U.S.
Why the Driftless Region Still Feels Different
Because glaciers never flattened it, the region kept:
- trout streams
- hardwood forests
- winding roads
- steep terrain
Driving here feels more like Vermont or Appalachia than the rest of Wisconsin.
Related Guides
- Scenic Drives in the Driftless Region
- Driftless Art Studios and Schools
- Coffee Shops in the Driftless Region
- Historic Sites in Southwest Wisconsin
- Hiking Trails in Southwest Wisconsin
- The Wisconsin Desert in Spring Green (Spring Green Preserve)