10 Secluded Towns Set in the Quiet Pockets of Southern Wisconsin

Southern Wisconsin’s Driftless Area is laced with valleys so deep and ridges so high that cell signals fade and highways detour miles around ancient limestone hills. Tucked inside these folds are villages where porch lights outnumber streetlights and the loudest evening sound is a barred owl calling from the woods.

We gathered ten of the most hidden spots, each offering quiet lanes, big skies, and a pace that still matches the Kickapoo River’s gentle drift. Photograph mist rising off trout streams, sample cider in century-old orchards, or simply breathe in the cedar-scented air far from traffic and crowds.

Our list counts down from the most accessible of the tucked-away hamlets to those nearly swallowed by forested ridges. A two-lane road and a sense of curiosity are all that’s needed to reach them.

10. Readstown

Home to roughly 400 residents, Readstown sits where the Kickapoo River curls beneath wooded bluffs in Vernon County. Anglers cast for smallmouth bass beneath the vintage steel truss bridge while paddlers drift past sandbars that often host a lone blue heron.

Local jobs center on small-scale dairy farms, a sawmill, and family-run antique shops lining Main Street. The village feels tucked away because State Highway 14 bypasses the historic core and truck traffic prefers straighter routes to La Crosse.

Nights bring dark skies ideal for stargazing, helped by the lack of major commercial lighting. We find that early-morning fog rising off the river gives photographers a ready-made soft-focus filter.

Where is Readstown?

Readstown lies in the heart of Vernon County, about 30 minutes southeast of Viroqua. Hills on three sides muffle road noise and limit line-of-sight to the nearest town, adding to the feeling of remove.

Travelers reach the village by following Highway 61, a scenic but winding route that deters hurried drivers. A single gas station marks the turnoff, so visitors should top off their tank before exploring the gravel ridge roads that thread the surrounding hollows.

9. Gotham

Gotham, an unincorporated cluster of roughly 180 people, rests where the Wisconsin River meets sandstone bluffs near Richland County’s western edge. Canoeists glide along undeveloped shoreline while birders scan for osprey nesting on the river islands.

Employment revolves around feed stores, a riverfront campground, and nearby quarry work. Gotham remains secluded because it lacks a formal downtown grid; homes and barns scatter along County Road JJ, leaving long stretches of open prairie between neighbors.

Regional tourists speed past on Highway 60 without realizing the hamlet exists a mile south. Our favorite surprise is the pocket-size boat landing that rarely hosts more than two trailers even on holiday weekends.

Where is Gotham?

Set 15 miles northwest of Spring Green, Gotham hides in a broad river bend that shields it from highway sightlines. The sandstone bluffs block radio reception and create a natural sound barrier, reinforcing the quiet.

County Road JJ provides the only paved access, branching from Highway 60 near a lone farm supply store. Beyond that junction, cell service drops to zero until drivers crest the bluff again.

8. Viola

Straddling both Richland and Vernon Counties, Viola hosts about 600 residents who enjoy generous yards bordered by the Kickapoo River. Community softball games, river tubing, and the fall garlic festival keep locals busy without drawing large crowds.

Dairy farming and a small cabinet-making shop anchor the modest economy. Seclusion stems from the encircling ridgelines that block through-traffic and funnel most vehicles onto a single bridge at the village edge.

After sunset, ridge shadows deepen the darkness, making fireflies seem brighter than porch bulbs. We recommend the hidden picnic tables behind the public library that overlook a quiet river eddy rich with painted turtles.

Where is Viola?

Viola sits 20 miles west of Richland Center at the crossroads of Highways 56 and 131. Both routes twist along river valleys, slowing travel and discouraging big rigs. Visitors typically enter via a one-lane steel span that feels like a time portal to 1950. Public buses do not run here, so arriving by car is the only practical choice.

7. Gays Mills

Gays Mills’ population of roughly 480 swells each September when apple lovers climb the ridge to pick Cortlands and Honeycrisps from century-old orchards. Off-season, residents hike bluff-top trails, browse 19th-century storefronts, and kayak the fog-shrouded Kickapoo Valley Reserve.

Orchard work and small fruit-processing sheds provide most local jobs, supplemented by seasonal tourism. Flood relocations pushed many homes to higher ground, leaving the valley floor largely open and undeveloped.

That wide, empty expanse and the distance to the nearest four-lane highway keep urban bustle at bay. Our insider tip: Sunrise from the Crawford County Ridge Trail paints the orchards gold before the first tractor engine starts.

Where is Gays Mills?

The village lies in Crawford County, 15 miles northeast of Prairie du Chien. High bluffs border the east and west, so radio towers struggle to reach cell phones below. State Highway 171 descends a steep S-curve into town, an approach that deters winter traffic. Snowy days may see only a handful of tire tracks on Main Street.

6. Soldiers Grove

Soldiers Grove counts fewer than 250 residents who live in energy-efficient homes rebuilt on sunlit hillsides after the 1978 flood. Locals fish the Kickapoo, bike the Solar Village loop, and browse weekend artisan markets where hand-woven baskets share tables with maple syrup tapped from surrounding sugar bush.

Employment centers on small organic farms, a solar panel installer, and craft retail. The village’s relocation elevated it well above floodplain roads, leaving the original river corridor largely wild and free of development.

Twisting county routes rather than state highways serve the area, so GPS directions often reroute without warning. We appreciate the public prairie garden behind the community center, a living reminder of the town’s renewable-energy vision.

Where is Soldiers Grove?

Found 25 miles north of Prairie du Chien, Soldiers Grove occupies a broad, south-facing slope in Crawford County. Dense oak woods to the east and west limit line-of-sight for miles, maintaining the sense of isolation.

Visitors approach by Highway 61, but must exit onto County C, a two-lane ridge road that drops sharply into town. Winter travel may require four-wheel drive as sand trucks rarely reach the steeper switchbacks promptly.

5. Blue River

Blue River, population near 430, hugs a quiet bend of the Wisconsin River amid 50 percent undeveloped woodland. Residents launch jon boats at dawn, hike upland oak savannas, and gather at the riverfront park for Friday fish fries. Farming, small-engine repair, and river tourism supply modest livelihoods.

The lack of commercial strip development and the nearest traffic light being 18 miles away contributes to a restful hush. Dense forest buffers the village from Highway 60, so passing drivers glimpse only tree tops and miss the turn.

Our favorite find is the sandbar half a mile downstream where wild lupines bloom each June with no crowds to trample them.

Where is Blue River?

Positioned in Grant County, Blue River sits between Boscobel and Muscoda along a lesser-known stretch of Highway 133. The river’s meandering course forces the road into long detours, stretching travel times and reducing through-traffic.

Reaching the village often involves gravel cutoffs best navigated at low speed. Lack of public transit means visitors should plan their route and fuel stops ahead.

4. Hollandale

Hollandale claims around 280 inhabitants, spread among painted farmhouses and vintage brick storefronts in rolling dairy country. Locals gather for Friday night softball, sip coffee beneath a century-old tin ceiling at the Cozy Café, and gaze across unbroken ridge vistas perfect for sunset photos.

Dairy herds, a specialty cheese plant, and field-to-market vegetable plots keep the economy humming. Seclusion comes from sitting ten miles off U.S. 151; the final approach winds along ridges instead of a direct spur.

Streetlights end at the village limits, revealing a dark-sky canopy that draws amateur astronomers. We recommend the hidden mural behind the fire station depicting each family farm’s original barn quilt pattern.

Where is Hollandale?

The village lies in Iowa County, 14 miles southwest of Mount Horeb. Surrounding drumlin ridges mask it from the main highway, so many GPS units fail to provide a clear signal until drivers crest the final hill.

County Highway K provides the only paved path, and winter drifting can close it overnight. Locals keep a stack of road-closed signs ready beside the town shop for such occasions.

3. Bell Center

Bell Center counts just under 100 residents, scattered across forested bluffs and open fields miles from the nearest four-lane road. Hunters roam the Kickapoo Wildlife Area, while photographers angle for shots of the white-steepled church framed by turning maple leaves.

Logging, hobby farming, and remote work via limited satellite internet form the modest economic base. Its isolation stems from the fact that State Highway 131 bypasses the village entirely, leaving only county lanes that snake through dense hardwoods.

Cell reception drops to one bar if it appears at all, reinforcing the off-grid mood. We love the hidden waterfall on an unnamed creek south of town that roars each spring thaw yet rarely meets a crowd.

Where is Bell Center?

Situated in Crawford County, Bell Center lies roughly 30 minutes north of Prairie du Chien. Bluff walls hem in the valley, blocking both skyline views and radio signals.

Access comes via County B, a narrow road where deer outnumber vehicles at dusk. The nearest gas station is seven miles away in Gays Mills, so topping off before arrival is smart.

2. Boaz

Boaz’s 150 residents live on roomy river-bottom parcels beside the Pine River, flanked by sweeping pastures and historic limestone buildings. Visitors fish for trout beneath a century-old stone arch bridge, browse the one-room museum devoted to local fossil discoveries, and picnic in shade cast by 200-year-old burr oaks.

Farming and a seasonal quarry supply most jobs, supplemented by artisan woodworkers selling pieces from backyard sheds. Seclusion arises because Boaz sits at the end of a valley road with no direct connection to state highways, ensuring only intentional travelers pass through.

Even the modest traffic of Richland Center seldom filters down the ridge. Our insider favorite is the prehistoric trilobite imprint displayed in the town hall lobby, found in the nearby quarry and unknown to many geology buffs.

Where is Boaz?

Boaz rests in Richland County, eight miles northwest of Richland Center on County E. Limestone ridges form a natural amphitheater, shielding the village from radio and cell towers on neighboring hills.

Drivers must descend a winding grade that demands low gear, discouraging larger vehicles. The closest bus line stops 12 miles away, so private transport is essential.

1. Avalanche

Avalanche, unofficially counted at about 30 full-time residents, nestles in a wooded Vernon County valley 15 miles southwest of Viroqua. Fly-fishers stalk crystal-clear West Fork trout, photographers capture mist drifting over ridges at dawn, and cyclists tackle unpaved Amish roads where horse-drawn buggies outnumber cars.

The few local jobs revolve around small organic farms, maple syrup operations, and seasonal guide services for anglers. Avalanche’s seclusion comes from being boxed in by steep coulees and connected to the outside world by a single gravel lane that often washes out after heavy rain.

With virtually no commercial development, night skies remain pitch black, broken only by barn light and the Milky Way. Our favorite detail is the hand-painted “Free Books” cabinet perched on a stump at the road fork, stocked weekly by a retired teacher who hikes in from her ridge-top cabin.

Where is Avalanche?

Found in Vernon County’s Driftless heart, Avalanche hides between ridges that shelter it from U.S. Highway 14 traffic. The nearest paved intersection lies five miles away, reached by a serpentine course following the West Fork Kickapoo.

Spring thaws often close the main gravel approach, leaving residents to detour via ridge tracks that add 20 minutes of driving. Visitors should bring a paper map; GPS units frequently lose signal halfway down the valley grade.