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| Kickapoo Valley Reserve Ice Cave - View from within cave K2 on the maps on this page |
At least six ice caves dazzle hardy winter hikers with veils of nature sculpted ice falls in the Kickapoo Valley. One cave is easy to access on a family friendly trail at Wildcat Mountain State Park. Two frozen falls are located on an unmarked trail beside Weister Creek in the Kickapoo Valley Reserve (KVR). Another three ice caves are located at the bottom of a deep ravine accessed by tramping down an unmarked trail in the KVR off Corps Road.
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| Wildcat Mountain State Park Ice Cave |
Cultures of humankind have been drawn to the Kickapoo Valley for thousands of years. Ancient petroglyphs and evidence of encampments beneath overhang caves are protected within the boundaries of the Kickapoo Valley Reserve.
The massive land trust which makes up the KVR is most famous as a world class canoeing and kayaking destination. It also features some of Wisconsin's best horseback riding and bridle, mountain-biking, and hiking trails. Rustic campsites that can be reached only by canoe or horse has made the KVR an adventurer's destination. Hunting and fly fishing are increasing in popularity each year as word about the quality of its trout streams is getting out.
Winter activities have recently added to the draw of the Kickapoo Valley. Equestrian trails become snowmobile trails in winter. But, it is the ice cave tours which have brought the most attention to the KVR as a winter destination. These tours are only a few seasons old at this point - but word is traveling fast and the tours fill up only days after being announced. Most winter visitors will have to take self guided tours of the caves.
The winter activity of hiking to an "ice cave" has become popular in Wisconsin
since the Apostle Islands ice caves gained national media coverage in 2014.
The Kickapoo ice caves are different than the Apostle Island caves. Here,
small streams, which in other seasons amount to nothing more than an
undetectable trickle of water, flow over small sandstone overhangs creating
frozen waterfalls. Winter rain or freeze-thaw cycles can cause water to
permeate down through the ground and drip from the roofs of these stone
overhangs to create glimmering ceilings of ice. The Apostle Island ice caves,
on the other hand, are formed mostly by wave action.
Considering the variety of weather conditions required to make the ice caves it is best to visit the Kickapoo caves between February and mid-March. But, early season visitors will be able to find frozen falls as soon as mid-December.
The easiest to access and most significant cave in the area is found at Wildcat Mountain State Park beside Billings Creek off County F. It is a very easy walk along wide established trails to the cave and waterfall. The rock formation here is named the Ice Cave - but is a worthy destination in all seasons. in Winter the waterfall is frozen into a two story ice sculpture which catches the later afternoon light spectacularly. This ice cave is the best to visit with families and the trail can be handled by hikers of any age group or athletic ability.
In the Kickapoo Valley Reserve the largest ice flows are found alongside Weister Creek off a seasonal unmarked trail. Parking is available at campsites P and OO. The trail begins on the West Ridge Trail but veers off to the east and crosses a farm field to reach the banks of Weister Creek. the trail then heads into young forest and approaches the first frozen waterfall. Inspecting and photographing this frozen waterfall requires a difficult scramble up the ravine. A second less impressive falls is located further along the unmarked trail.
Three additional frozen falls and ice caves can be found in the KVR off the West Ridge Trail near the Stark Town Hall and Maintenance Shed. Park your car across from the maintenance shed and you'll find signs pointing out the direction for ice cave tourists. You'll hike alongside the snowmobile trail up a significant hill with panoramic views. After crossing beneath a set of power lines hikers can divert off to a hiking trail which parallels the snowmobile trail. Footprints in the snow will show the way off the marked trails into the ravine below.
It takes athletic ability to descend into the ravine in slippery winter conditions. I recommend a good set of trekking poles and ice treads for your boots. The caves here are just large enough to enter and explore from behind the frozen falls. I have heard that the ceilings of these caves can sparkle with tiny icicles that develop on the roof of the caves - but the weather conditions have to be right to create this effect.
A State Park Sticker is required for parking at the Wildcat Mountain Ice Cave Trail parking lot. And a day or annual personal use pass is required for using the trails in Kickapoo Valley Reserve. You can purchase KVR passes at the KVR Visitor's Center on Hwy131 north of La Farge. In 2018 passes are $5 for a single person trail pass and $20 for an annual pass.
Considering the variety of weather conditions required to make the ice caves it is best to visit the Kickapoo caves between February and mid-March. But, early season visitors will be able to find frozen falls as soon as mid-December.
The easiest to access and most significant cave in the area is found at Wildcat Mountain State Park beside Billings Creek off County F. It is a very easy walk along wide established trails to the cave and waterfall. The rock formation here is named the Ice Cave - but is a worthy destination in all seasons. in Winter the waterfall is frozen into a two story ice sculpture which catches the later afternoon light spectacularly. This ice cave is the best to visit with families and the trail can be handled by hikers of any age group or athletic ability.
In the Kickapoo Valley Reserve the largest ice flows are found alongside Weister Creek off a seasonal unmarked trail. Parking is available at campsites P and OO. The trail begins on the West Ridge Trail but veers off to the east and crosses a farm field to reach the banks of Weister Creek. the trail then heads into young forest and approaches the first frozen waterfall. Inspecting and photographing this frozen waterfall requires a difficult scramble up the ravine. A second less impressive falls is located further along the unmarked trail.
Three additional frozen falls and ice caves can be found in the KVR off the West Ridge Trail near the Stark Town Hall and Maintenance Shed. Park your car across from the maintenance shed and you'll find signs pointing out the direction for ice cave tourists. You'll hike alongside the snowmobile trail up a significant hill with panoramic views. After crossing beneath a set of power lines hikers can divert off to a hiking trail which parallels the snowmobile trail. Footprints in the snow will show the way off the marked trails into the ravine below.
It takes athletic ability to descend into the ravine in slippery winter conditions. I recommend a good set of trekking poles and ice treads for your boots. The caves here are just large enough to enter and explore from behind the frozen falls. I have heard that the ceilings of these caves can sparkle with tiny icicles that develop on the roof of the caves - but the weather conditions have to be right to create this effect.
A State Park Sticker is required for parking at the Wildcat Mountain Ice Cave Trail parking lot. And a day or annual personal use pass is required for using the trails in Kickapoo Valley Reserve. You can purchase KVR passes at the KVR Visitor's Center on Hwy131 north of La Farge. In 2018 passes are $5 for a single person trail pass and $20 for an annual pass.
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| A family explores a Kickapoo Valley Reserve Ice Cave - K2 on the maps on this page |
Kickapoo Valley Reserve Ice Cave Hike From Corps Road Maintenance Shed
COUNTY: VernonCOMMUNITIES: La Farge
TOTAL MILES: .85 miles linear (1.6 miles out-n-back)
DIFFICULTY: Difficult
ICE CAVES: K1, K2, K3
DESCRIPTION: An easy walk alongside a snowmobile trail before turning off and descending a steep and precarious ravine. Hiking poles and ice trekkers recommended. Only those with excellent athletic ability are recommended to descend the ravine in slippery winter conditions. Three smaller frozen waterfalls over overhang caves create ice walls.
Kickapoo Valley Reserve Ice Cave Hike From Campsite P near Weister Creek
COUNTY: VernonCOMMUNITIES: Rockton
TOTAL MILES: .66 miles linear (1.2 miles out-n-back)
DIFFICULTY: Easy-Difficult
ICE CAVES: W1, W2
DESCRIPTION: An easy walk across a field and through light density forest on an unmarked trail. The route approaches Ice Cave W-1. A difficult scramble is required for close viewing of the Ice Falls. Ice Cave W-2 is a frozen fall that is more difficult to reach and less impressive than the other frozen falls.
Wildcat Mountain Ice Cave Trail
COUNTY: VernonCOMMUNITIES: Ontario
TOTAL MILES: .32 miles linear (.65 miles out-n-back)
DIFFICULTY: Very Easy
ICE CAVES: Wildcat Ice Cave Formation
DESCRIPTION: A very easy walk on a well marked trail suitable for any age or athletic ability leads to a large overhang cave and ice falls. A can't miss scenic hike in all seasons.
Directions and Trail Map
Click Map Image to load the full interactive map.
Address for your GPS: S2666 Weister Creek Rd, LaFarge, WI 54639
| coordinates: 43.630471, -90.650354 |
Address for your GPS: 3803 Corps Rd La Farge, WI 54639
| coordinates: 43.592603, -90.640282 |
Address for your GPS: 13766 CR-F, Ontario WI 54651
| coordinates: 43.688403, -90.568754 |
| From Milwaukee | 2.5 Hours |
| From Madison | 2 Hours |
| From Green Bay | 3.5 Hours |
| From Wausau | 2.5 Hours |
| From Minneapolis | 3 Hours |
| From Chicago | 4 Hours |
Photos
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| A self portrait in front of the Ice Cave near Weister Creek in the Kickapoo Valley Reserve - W1 on the maps on this page |
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| Weister Creek Ice Cave - W1 on the maps on this page |
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| Weister Creek Ice Cave - W1 on the maps on this page |
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| Weister Creek Ice Fall - W2 on the maps on this page |
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| Weister Creek in the Kickapoo Valley Reserve |
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| Snowmobile Trail and Ice Cave Access Trail off Corps Road in the Kickapoo Valley Reserve |
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| Kickapoo Valley Reserve Ice Cave - K1 on the maps on this page |
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| Kickapoo Valley Reserve Ice Cave - K3 on the maps on this page |
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| Wildcat Mountain State Park Ice Cave Trail |
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| Ice Cave at Wildcat Mountain State Park |
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| Ice Cave at Wildcat Mountain State Park |
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| Ice Cave at Wildcat Mountain State Park |
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| Ice Cave at Wildcat Mountain State Park |
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| Ice Cave at Wildcat Mountain State Park |
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| Kickapoo Valley Reserve Ice Cave - View from within cave K2 on the maps on this page |