Things To Do

 Attractions

River Valley Raptors, Inc. Meet 13 amazing raptors at River Valley Raptors, Inc., a nonprofit raptor rescue and education organization located just a block from the cabins. They have an owl, a golden eagle, a red-tailed hawk, a kestrel, a peregrine falcon, a great horned owl, and more! Visits are by appointment only. Call (507) 459-8264. A $10/person donation is appreciated. Visit their Facebook Page.

The National Eagle Center. Located 19 miles north of the cabins, the Eagle Center is a world-class interpretive center located on the banks of the Mississippi River in Wabasha, MN. Experience eagles up close! Check out their Eagle Watch Cam.

Prairie Moon Sculpture Gardens. Located 5 miles south of the cabins, the gardens include close to 40 concrete, stone and rock sculptures crafted by self-taught artist Herman Rusch. The gardens are a preservation project of the Kohler Foundation, Inc.

Lark Toys. Located 25 miles north of the cabins in Kellogg, Minnesota, Lark Toys has a toystore, artist-crafted carousel, mini-golf, a cafe, and llamas.

Mississippi Thunder Speedway. Located 7.5 miles south of the cabins, this dirt track racing track is open Friday evenings.

Castlerock Museum. Located 7 miles north of the cabins, this arms and armor museum has exhibits from many points in European history.

Kinstone. Located 18 miles south of the cabins in Fountain City, Kinstone’s 30-acre property includes stone sculptures, natural buildings, restored native prairie, oak savanna, and spectacular views over the Mississippi River.

Elmer’s Auto & Toy Museum. Located 13 miles south of the cabins, Elmer’s has more than 100 muscle, antique, classic cars and trucks, as well as hundreds of pedal cars, and thousands of antique toys and tools. Elmer’s Auto & Toy Museum is one of the largest museums of its kind in the country. Family-owned and operated since 1994, Elmer’s Museum is located on Eagle Bluff, which is the highest point along the Mississippi River.

Mississippi Lock & Dam #4 Observation Platform. Located 7 miles north of the cabins, this observation platform is above the railroad track with views of boats and barges entering and exiting the Lock & Dam. Even better is when a train roars by underneath you! Motorcycle parking available.

Buena Vista Park. Located 8.5 miles north of the cabins on the bluffs overlooking the Mississippi River, this city park has spectacular views of Mississippi River Lock & Dam #4 and the main channel and backwaters of the river as well as the quaint small town of Alma. The scenic drive to the Park from Alma is perfect if you’re on a motorcycle trip!

Minnesota Marine Art Museum. MMAM, located 20 miles south of the cabins in Winona, Minnesota, is home to some of the most unique and significant marine artworks in the Midwest. The initial collections consisted of a substantial collection of traditional marine paintings and an equally large collection of folk art by popular regional artists Leo and Marilyn Smith from Fountain City, Wisconsin. The museum is open Tuesday-Sunday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Learn more 

Ferguson’s Morningside Orchard. Located 29 miles south of the cabins in Galesville, Wisconsin, this family-friendly pick-your-own apple orchard and pumpkin patch also has a country store with baked pastries, local jams and syrups and caramel apples. It also includes Farmer Tom’s Barnyard, which offers weekend wagon rides, a pumpkin jumping pad, a corn maze, double 20′ slides, and much more. Admission is $10.

Soldiers Walk Memorial Park. Located 39 miles from the cabins in Arcadia, Wisconsin, this 54-acre Memorial Park is dedicated to veterans of all wars and conflicts. It is free and open to the public daily. A perfect destination on your motorcycle trip Learn more

 ATV Trails

Snake Creek Trail. Located in the Richard J. Dorer Memorial Hardwood State Forest, the Snake Creek Trail, located 40 miles from the cabins, stretches 13 miles through bluff country in southeastern Minnesota. This wooded trail climbs 300 feet along the Snake Creek Valley with stunning scenic overlooks. Learn more

Buffalo River State Trail. This trail, which runs 36 miles between Mondovi and Fairchild, WI, is open to ATVs and UTVs year-round. It is built on a former railroad corridor and passes by farmland, woods, hills, and wetlands. Learn more

 Biking Trails

Great River Road. Steps from the front of the Big River Escape property, you can ride River Road to the south 5 miles to Mississippi River Lock & Dam #5/Whitman Dam Dike Road. This is a paved road for 2 miles and then a gravel road for 3. The entire route is a 10 mile loop. Access to the gravel-paved dam road is through a path located to the right of the boat landing parking lot.

Flyway Trail. This trail starts at the Hwy 43 Old Wagon Bridge in Winona, MN and goes to the Town of Buffalo Park in Bluff Siding, WI. This trail will eventually run to Alma, WI, which is 7.3 miles north of Buffalo City. Learn more about the Flyway Trail.

Brone’s Bike Shop. Located 12 miles south of the cabins.

 Bird Watching

Goose Lake Park. Located 2 miles south of the cabins in Cochrane, you can watch hundreds of Canadian Geese on this small park pond.

Mississippi River. Look no further than the river in front of the cabins to see eagles, cranes, pelicans, swans, geese, and more. Bring your binoculars!

Rieck’s Lake Park. Located 9.4 miles north of the cabins, Rieck’s Lake Park provides a wildlife observation platform famous for its Tundra Swan Watch. The park is a stop for swans as they pass through on their annual migration from northern Canada and Alaska. Large concentrations arrive mid-October and linger until November or freeze-up. Peak population reaches 6,000.

Big Swamp Wildlife Area. This 796-acre property in Buffalo County is 5 miles west of Mondovi south of Highway 10. Currently access is only available from County Highway A on the south side of the property. It is located 31 miles from the cabins. The property consists of upland hardwoods and marsh. You can use this property to go birding, cross-country skiing (no designated trail), hiking (no designated trail), hunting (rabbits, squirrel, deer), trapping, wild edibles/gathering, and viewing wildlife.

Merrick State Park. Located 9.3 miles south of the cabins, Merrick State Park is a 322-acre Wisconsin State Park on the Mississippi River. The park is bordered by the lands and waters of the Upper Mississippi River National Wildlife and Fish Refuge.

Lower Spring Lake Viewing Platform. Located 2 miles south of the cabins, this platform offers a great view of cranes, pelicans, geese, and eagles on the Mississippi River.

 Boat Landings

The Buffalo City area has 4 boat landings.

10th Street Boat Landing. Located a half mile south on River Road, this landing has a dock and parking area. 

Lower Spring Lake. Located 3 miles south of the cabins on River Road all the way to the end, this landing is for smaller fishing boats. No dock. Has a parking area. 

North Spring Lake. Located 2.5 miles south of the cabins on River Road just past County Rd OO, this landing is for smaller fishing boats. No dock. Has a parking area. 

Belvidere Slough Public Access. Just under 2 miles miles north of the cabins on River Road, this landing as a dock and large paved parking area.  

Other boat landings in the area:

Great River Harbor. Located 4 miles north of the cabins. Take River Road to Hwy 35 N. This landing has an off channel dock for larger boats. $7 to launch. Gas pumps.

Alma Marina. Located 8.5 miles north of the cabins, this public boat landing has an off channel dock for larger boats. It also has a dock, pump out facility and ship store with boating supplies, water, pop, candy and ice. 

Current River Conditions

To view current river conditions in the area, including river level and flow, view the hydrograph on the National Weather Service’s Advanced Hydrologic Prediction Service page.

Map from Big River Escape Dock to the Mississippi River Main Channel

 Fishing

Buffalo City. Go no further than steps from the front of your cabin to fish on the Mississippi River. Fish from the Big River Escape dock or take your boat out on the river.

The Great Alma Fishing Float. Located next to Lock & Dam #4 in Alma, 6.8 miles north of the cabins, you can fish all day on the float for $20. They also serve pizza, snacks, and deli sandwiches.

 Gas, Snacks & Drinks, Ice

B&S Express. This gas station and convenience store is .7 miles south of the cabins. They sell gas, snacks, ice, selected grocery items, beer and liquor, and have the BEST soft serve ice cream you will ever eat. Try the raspberry chocolate chunk!

River Ratz Saloon. Just two blocks south, this bar and restaurant sells ice and carry out beer.

Dollar General. Take River Road south to 10th Street, turn left and then left on N. Main Street.

The Veg Shack. Located a half mile from the cabins at 375 North Belvidere in Buffalo City, the shack offers locally grown produce in a self-serve air conditioned farm stand. New items are added as they are ready for harvest. 

 Gift Shops & Antiques

Buffalo City

Ye Old Schoolhouse Shoppe
8th and Humboldt Street

Alma, Wisconsin

Alma, 6.8 miles north of the cabins, has 18 gift shops and galleries offering orginal artwork, pottery, jewelry, textiles and more. Here are some of the most unique:

Gypsy Wagon Curiosity & Shop
307 N. Main Street

Mississippi River Pearl Jewelry, Co.
125 N. Main Street

Lone Pine Antiques
S1401 Spring Creek Road

Wings Over Alma Nature & Art Center
110 N. Main Street

Water Lily Gifts
111 N. Main Street

3G Gallery
100 S. Main Street

Commercial Gallery
305 S. Main Street

Alma Blooms
105 N. Main Street

Fountain City

Located 11.3 miles south of the cabins.

The Cat-Tail
32 S. Main Street

 Golfing

The Grove. This 18-hole public golf course is nestled in the bluffs near Cochrane, Wisconsin just 2.7 miles from the cabins. Its varied course offers challenges to beginners and advanced players.

 Hiking Trails

Buena Vista Hiking Trail. This wide groomed trail begins at Hwy 35 in Alma and goes to the Buena Vista Overlook where you experience a spectacular view of the Mississippi River main channel, backwaters, the City of Alma, and Mississippi River Lock & Dam #4. The view is worth the hike!

• Moderate hike. 30 minutes to the top. 45-minute round trip.
• Clothing: close-toed shoes. No long pants required.
• Four benches for rests along the route.

Directions: Go north on River Road and turn left on Hwy 35. Park by side street north of Alma Hotel (no street name) and climb steps to Second Street. Turn right and then left on Elm Street. Turn right at end of block and follow signs to base of hiking trail.

Mossy Hollow Trail. This 12 mile trail up the bluff starts at the Alma Cemetery.

Big Swamp Wildlife Area. This 796-acre property in Buffalo County is 5 miles west of Mondovi south of Highway 10. Currently access is only available from County Highway A on the south side of the property. It is located 31 miles from the cabins. The property consists of upland hardwoods and marsh. You can use this property to go birding, cross-country skiing (no designated trail), hiking (no designated trail), hunting (rabbits, squirrel, deer), trapping, wild edibles/gathering, and viewing wildlife.

Foelsch Riverside Nature Park. Located 2 miles south of the cabins on the corner of S. River Rd & County Road “OO”, this park is a 10-acre stretch of woodland along the Mississippi River that includes walking trails.

Angel Bluff. Located 17 miles south of the cabins off WI-35 on Burt Lane, this scenic bluff property includes dry prairie, dry cliffs, former oak opening, southern dry-, dry-mesic and mesic forest, emergent aquatic wetland and surrogate grasslands. These natural communities provide habitat for a variety of rare and declining species.

Thrive! Park. Located 16 miles north of the cabins in Nelson, Thrive! is a public park consisting of 25 acres of Mississippi River bluff top and bluff side. The primary bluff is Three Sisters (northernmost Sister is private land) and Lost Brother. The three southernmost bluff tops (two of the Sisters and Lost Brother) are in the Park and accessible via hiking roads and trails. Hiking roads (marked in white going along bluff side and back through valley) are generally about 6+ feet wide and were primarily made from old logging roads. Also, there are several hiking trails (marked in white that go to restored bluff and prairie areas and can be accessed off the main hiking roads. Learn more

 Hunting

Buffalo County Public Hunting Land. Buffalo County offers an abundant amount of public hunting land. It is known as “White Tail Deer Capital of America”. Click here to download the Buffalo County Public Hunting Land map. Visit the Wisconsin DNR website to download a document detailing hunting seasons dates. Where to purchase hunting licenses. View Wisconsin DNR Hunting Regulations.

Big Swamp Wildlife Area. This 796-acre property in Buffalo County is 5 miles west of Mondovi south of Highway 10. Currently access is only available from County Highway A on the south side of the property. It is located 31 miles from the cabins. The property consists of upland hardwoods and marsh. You can use this property to go birding, cross-country skiing (no designated trail), hiking (no designated trail), hunting (rabbits, squirrel, deer), trapping, wild edibles/gathering, and viewing wildlife.

 Ice Fishing

There are lots of places to go ice fishing from Merrick State Park in Fountain City, to Spring Lake in Buffalo City, to Alma, Wisconsin.

Here’s an article from the Winona Daily News about ice fishing in Buffalo City.

Here’s an article from An Outdoorsman’s Journal about ice fishing on Spring Lake in Buffalo City.

 Motorcycling

The Great River Road, which intersects several towns to the north and south of Buffalo City, including Pepin, Nelson, Alma, and Fountain City, offers a scenic route for motorcycles.

From Buffalo City you can take County Road O over the Belvidere Bluff to State Highway 88 and into the Waumandee Valley, where you’ll experience curving scenic roads, spectacular valley views, and fun stops along the way, including Suncrest Gardens Farm and Bucknuckles Bar & Grill. Take WI-35 to State Highway 95 on more curving scenic roads to Vino Over the Valley and Waumandee.

 Parks

Buffalo City Park. This park has climbing equipment, slides and handicapped-accessible swings. It also has two pavilions and a tennis court.

Merrick State Park. Located 9.3 miles south of the cabins, Merrick State Park is a 322-acre Wisconsin state park on the Mississippi River. The park is bordered by the lands and waters of the Upper Mississippi River National Wildlife and Fish Refuge. This is a great place to bike, fish, boat, kayak and canoe.

Foelsch Riverside Nature Park. Located 2 miles south of the cabins on the corner of S. River Rd & County Road “OO”, this park is a 10-acre stretch of woodland along the Mississippi River that includes walking trails.

Goose Lake Memorial Park. Located 2 miles south of the cabins in Cochrane, you can watch hundreds of Canadian Geese on this small park pond.

 Restaurants

Suncrest Gardens Farm. Suncrest Gardens Farm in Yaeger Valley, 7.7 miles from the cabins, offers an outdoor picnic dining experience and delicious wood-fired pizzas. It is a family-friendly place with a playground, games, and live music. You need to bring your own chairs/picnic blanket and plates/silverware. Drinks can be purchased on site.

The Stone Barn. Located 22.5 miles from the cabins, Stone Barn offers outdoor dining and wood-fired pizza. Visit their shop or play yard games while your pizza is cooked to order.

River Ratz Saloon. Three blocks south of the cabins, this bar/restaurant serves Friday Fish Fry, burgers, wraps, chicken sandwiches, and more. Pizzas are served on Sunday. Try the jalepeno cheese curds with raspberry dipping sauce! 

The Monarch Public House. This bar/restaurant located in Fountain City, 11.3 miles south of the cabins, has its own micro brew, Fountain Brew.

North End Pub. Located in Cochrane, two miles from the cabins, this bar/restaurant serves Friday Fish Fry, burgers, chicken sandwiches, pizza, and more. Their cheesburger pizza is topped with french fries!

J & J BBQ. Located 15.5 miles north of the cabins in Nelson, J &J serves great ribs, awesome pulled port, delicious grilled chicken, and mouth-watering brisket. Try the jalapeno mac n’ cheese. The attached Grandpa’s Saloon & Grill serves Bloody Mary’s, smoked wings, and craft beer.

Nelson Cheese Factory. Located 15.3 miles north of the cabins in Nelson, the Cheese Factory serves fresh deli subs and pizza. It also sells cheese and has a wine room. Outdoor seating on the patio. Leave room for a scoop of ice cream.

Bucknuckles. Located 15.4 miles from the cabins, this unique bar/restaurant has an eclectic mix of decor worth the drive to see.

Vino Over the Valley. This unique open-air restaurant is located 23.5 miles from the cabins on a scenic drive over the bluffs. They serve Italian cuisine and wine overlooking a spectacular view of the Doelle Valley. 

Alfresco Pizzaria. Located 7 miles north of the cabins, Alfresco serves, well, pizzas. 

Alma Bakery. Located 7 miles north of the cabins, this is a full service bakery offering bread, muffins, cakes, cookies, sweet rolls, pies, and donuts.

Castlerock Sourdough. Located 17 miles south of the cabins in Fountain City, Castlerock creates artisan breads – baked on a stone hearth with steam – using high quality locally milled flours. Buy from the bread hut! W593 Castlerock Lane, Fountain City, Wisconsin 54629.

Bloedow’s Bakery. Located 20 miles south of the cabins in Winona, MN, this bake shop sells donuts, breads, rolls and cookies. 

Wing Dam Saloon & Grill. Located 11 miles south of the cabins in Fountain City, this bar/restaurant serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner. It has an outdoor patio with a view of the Mississippi River. 

Golden Frog Restaurant. Located 11 miles south of the cabins in Fountain City, this bar/restaurant serves burgers, tips, salads, pizza…and frog legs.

World Cup Coffee. Located 11 miles south of the cabins in Fountain City next to Brone’s Bike Shop, World Cup serves seasonal coffees, waffles, breakfast sandwiches, crepes, and ice cream (March-Oct).

Brian’s New Moon. Located 10.5 miles north of the cabins, Brian’s serves burgers, sandwiches, and broasted fish and shimp.

Lil’s Cochrane Inn. This bar 2 miles from the cabins has comfortable seating groups, games, Bingo, and weekly meat raffles.

Tell Bar & Grill. Located 7 miles north of the cabins in Alma.

  Skiing & Snowboarding

Coffee Mill Ski Area. Named after a historic navigational point along the mighty Mississippi, Coffee Mill. located in Wabasha, Minnesota 20 miles north of the cabins, offers the best of coulee skiing/snowboarding with a unique “bowl” arrangement for convenient lift accessibility and protection from cold winter winds. Extra long slopes combined with high capacity chairs provide a skiing experience second to none. From the gentle slopes of Chippewa to the radical pitch of O’Chute, each run is obscured from the next by an abundant growth of birch, oaks, and pines. Modern snowmaking and daily grooming ensure great snow throughout the season.

Whitman Dam Dike Road. Located 2 miles south of the cabins, this 3-mile scenic gravel paved road goes to Mississippi River Lock & Dam #5. Access is through a path located to the right of the Spring Lake boat landing parking lot.

Big Swamp Wildlife Area. This 796-acre property in Buffalo County is 5 miles west of Mondovi south of Highway 10. Currently access is only available from County Highway A on the south side of the property. It is located 31 miles from the cabins. The property consists of upland hardwoods and marsh. You can use this property to go birding, cross-country skiing (no designated trail), hiking (no designated trail), hunting (rabbits, squirrel, d.eer), trapping, wild edibles/gathering, and viewing wildlife.

The Nordic Ski Trails. Located 22 miles south of the cabins at St. Mary’s University in Winona, Minnesota, this 16.5K ski trail system allows skiers to weave up and down hills as they glide through beautiful wooded valleys and bluffs of the Mississippi River. Gilmore Creek follows the lower trails while the upper trails provide great views of the university and the city of Winona. Includes a 2.5K lighted trail loop. The trails offer three levels. The flat, gently rolling green trails on the lower trail system are perfect for beginners. The intermediate blue trails provide just enough action and difficulty, while still manageable for most skiers. For those who really want a challenge, the black trails offer long climbs and fast, twisting downhills through the tops of the bluffs on the furthest part of the trail system.

 Snowshoeing

Whitman Dam Dike Road. Located 2 miles south of the cabins, this 3-mile scenic gravel paved road goes to Mississippi River Lock & Dam #5. Access is through a path located to the right of the Spring Lake boat landing parking lot.

Big Swamp Wildlife Area. This 796-acre property in Buffalo County is 5 miles west of Mondovi south of Highway 10. Currently access is only available from County Highway A on the south side of the property. It is located 31 miles from the cabins. The property consists of upland hardwoods and marsh. You can use this property to go birding, cross-country skiing (no designated trail), hiking (no designated trail), hunting (rabbits, squirrel, deer), trapping, wild edibles/gathering, and viewing wildlife.

Foelsch Riverside Nature Park. Located 2 miles south of the cabins on the corner of S. River Rd & County Road “OO”, this park is a 10-acre stretch of woodland along the Mississippi River that includes walking trails.

Angel Bluff. Located 17 miles south of the cabins off WI-35 on Burt Lane, this scenic bluff property includes dry prairie, dry cliffs, former oak opening, southern dry-, dry-mesic and mesic forest, emergent aquatic wetland and surrogate grasslands. These natural communities provide habitat for a variety of rare and declining species.

 Snowmobile Trails

A snowmobile trail route runs directly through Buffalo City.  State trail passes are required for both residents and non-residents. Click here for a printable map. Learn more

 Swimming

Scenic Valley Swimming Pool. This public pool is located in Cochrane, Wisconsin, just 1.6 miles from the cabins. Learn more

Alma Marina Beach. This full-service marina with boat launch also has a swimming beach, tennis, basketball and volleyball courts, and a baseball field. It is located 9.1 miles north of the cabins off Hwy 35.

 Wineries/Craft Beer