Things to do in, around Darlington in Driftless area
THINGS TO DO: Paddle the Pecatonica River. Bring your own kayak or canoe, and leave a shuttle car or bike at Pecatonica River Trails Park in Darlington. Launch from an access point at the corner of Highways C and G in Calamine for a 9-mile paddle back to Darlington. Be prepared for possible log jams — bring a rope to help with getting your boat around them.
The Darlington Canoe Festival is June 7-10 and includes a cruise on Main Street on Thursday, a concert on Friday, fireworks on Saturday, canoe races on Saturday and an inflatable carnival for kids throughout the weekend, among other activities. See fest.com.
Canoe rentals are available along the East Branch of the Pecatonica River from Yellowstone Valley Canoe Rental in Argyle. Call (608) 214-7229.
Ride the Cheese Country Trail. The 47-mile multi-use trail is open to hikers, cyclists and horseback riders but is most popular with ATVs and UTVs. The trail surface can be rough in spots and mountain bikes are recommended. Trail stickers are $15 and are required for motorcycles, mopeds, golf carts, go-carts, dirt bikes, cyclists age 18 and older and horse riders age 18 and older. In-state ATVs with appropriate DNR stickers do not need a sticker, but they are encouraged to buy one regardless to support the trail. Stickers are available at various stores along the trail, including at Ace Hardware in Darlington.
Hike or paddle at Yellowstone Lake State Park. The park boasts Lafayette County’s biggest lake plus 13 miles of hiking trails and a campground.
Towns nearby with plenty more to explore include Mineral Point (visit Pendarvis, a state historic site that protects a handful of Cornish buildings); Monroe (Baumgartner’s is the spot for cheese); and Platteville (check out the giant “M” made from whitewashed stones on a hill east of the city).
Southwestern Wisconsin is a scenic spot for bikes — both bicycles and motorcycles. The rural, rolling hills make for a beautiful (and challenging) ride or scenic drive. Cycle Southwest Wiscon-
sin (cyclesouthwestwisconsin.com) has a few loops in the area, including the 51mile Pecatonica Loop and the 49-mile Yellowstone Lake Loop.
WHERE TO EAT AND DRINK: City Service Brewing Co. has a handful of its own beers and sodas on tap, plus offerings from other local breweries. The brewery doubles as a coffee shop in the morning, with pastries and coffee options. Annie’s Bar & Grill, just off the Cheese Country Trail in Darlington, serves up inexpensive bar food for hungry campers, paddlers and ATV riders.
Irma’s Kitchen is a homey diner in Argyle that serves breakfast and lunch Monday through Saturday.
In Yellowstone Lake State Park, Yellowstone Dairy Bar is on a bluff above the eastern end of the lake and serves breakfast, lunch, dinner and ice cream. It’s open seasonally.
On your way to Darlington, drive through Mount Horeb for a stop at the Grumpy Troll Brew Pub, which brews up a tasty lineup of beers to serve alongside a menu that includes salads, sandwiches, burgers and in a separate bar and dining area upstairs, pizza.
In Mineral Point, Brewery Creek Brewpub also serves up its own beers alongside entrees from steak and chicken to fish and pasta.
WHERE TO STAY: Yellowstone Lake State Park has 128 campsites, including some saved for walk-ups. Two electric sites have paved camping pads for those with disabilities.
If Yellowstone is full, Blackhawk Memorial County Park will most likely have an open campsite. The quiet campground along the East Branch of the Pecatonica River has 36 secluded sites, some right alongside the river.
Brewery Creek Inn is a charming bed and breakfast in a refurbished 1854 stone warehouse in Mineral Point. Seven rooms are available in the inn above the brewpub, and there are also two cottages available for rent.
Getting there: Darlington is 140 miles west of Milwaukee via I-94, and Highways 18, 151 and 23.