Wisconsin's Great River Road flanks the majestic Mississippi River as it leisurely winds its way along 250 miles of the Wisconsin west border. Along its way, the road is nestled between the river on one side and towering bluffs on the other, becoming one of the most scenic drives in mid-America. Most of the time the road parallels the river, but when the road does meander a short way from the river, it treats its guests to vistas of rolling farmland and beautiful forested valleys and coulees.

Byway Communities

The 33 quaint river towns along this byway proudly reveal their culture and heritage through their festivals and the 19th- and 20th-century architecture of their homes, business blocks, storefronts, mansions, and more. The corridor is rich in history, and the Great River Road traveler can learn about the early Indian occupants, the French fur traders and explorers, the lead mining boom, the steamboat era, and the lumber barons. Travelers can stop at the 30 or more Wisconsin Historical Markers and Archaeological sites, and also at the many local museums.

Places Along the Way

Recreational opportunities also await the visitor around each bend of the Great River Road at over 50 local parks and beaches, in addition to 12 State and 3 National Recreational Resources. Observation decks at 4 Lock and Dams provide the opportunity to leisurely watch the barges and riverboats pass through. A lucky visitor may even see steamboats like the Delta Queen pass by.

Scenes From the Byway

Travel the Wisconsin Great River Road. It is a marvelous mix of natural beauty and history, and an area to be enjoyed by all ages ... leisurely. In the new-green brilliance of spring or the white mantle of winter, in the summer sunlight or the amber hues of autumn, Wisconsin's Great River Road is a delight in any season!