If you’re looking for a camping trip that actually feels like you got away—not just parked in the woods—Wildcat Mountain State Park delivers.
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!Last year, my girlfriend and I headed out there for a weekend.
What started as a simple camping trip turned into one of those trips where everything happens—raccoons, ridge hikes, a paddle that ran later than planned, and one of the best views in Wisconsin.
🏕️ Day 1: Dusk Arrival & a Rookie Mistake
We pulled in right at dusk.
Just enough time to get moving.
We were staying at Site 113, a walk-in site—so everything had to be carried in. No shortcuts. We hustled, got the ALPS Mountaineering Lynx 2-Person Backpacking and Camping Tent up, and beat the dark.
Then the light disappeared fast.
Dinner was simple—hot dogs over the fire.
And then… we made a mistake.
Because it was a walk-in site, all food should’ve gone back to the car.
We didn’t.
We brought the hot dog buns into the tent.
🦝 Midnight Wake-Up Call
Sometime in the night—
Scratching. Clawing. Right on the tent.
A raccoon had locked onto those buns.
Not once.
Not twice.
Three times.
I eventually had to smack the side of the tent with a shoe to scare it off.
👉 Lesson learned: never bring food into your tent
🥾 Day 2: Hiking, Views & Controlled Chaos
Old Settlers Trail
After the chaos of the night before, we got up early Saturday and hit the Old Settlers Trail at Wildcat Mountain State Park.
- Distance: 2.08 miles
- Elevation gain: 436 ft
- Time: ~1 hour
It’s not a long hike—but it’s not just a walk in the woods either.
What Stood Out
Right away, this trail felt different.
You’re not just hiking through trees—you’re moving through terrain.
- Rock bluffs rising up out of the forest
- Sandstone formations tucked into the trail
- Sections where the path winds right along exposed rock
It gives the whole hike more character than your typical flat park trail.
More Than Just Trees
There were a lot of trees, sure—but what made this hike stand out was how often the landscape changed.
One minute you’re in shaded woods…
Next minute you’re climbing past rock faces and uneven ground that makes you pay attention to your footing.
It keeps things interesting the whole way through.
Why It’s Worth Doing
- Short enough to fit into any day
- Enough elevation to feel like a real hike
- Rock features you don’t see everywhere
It’s a great “warm-up” hike for the day—but still one you’ll remember.
🌄 Wildcat Mountain Lookout (Highlight of the Trip)
This is the view from the main lookout at Wildcat Mountain State Park.
And honestly—this is what sets this place apart.
You come out of the trees and it just opens up into a massive view over the Kickapoo Valley.
Rolling hills. Thick forest. Open patches in the distance.
It doesn’t feel like Wisconsin—it feels bigger.
We hung out here for a while. No rush. Just taking it in.
Midday Break: Shade, Snacks & Slowing Down
Before heading back out for another hike, we took a little time to slow things down.
It was one of those hot summer days where you can feel it starting to wear on you, so instead of pushing through, we found some shade under a tree back at camp and just relaxed for a while.
Nothing fancy.
We grabbed some food, kicked back, and ended up playing a game of Catan right there at the campsite.
No rush. No agenda. Just taking a break and enjoying being out there.
Honestly, that reset made a big difference. It gave us a chance to cool off, recharge, and actually enjoy the day instead of just grinding through it.
And after that, we were ready to head back out and hit the next trail.
Ice Cave Trail (Afternoon Reset)
After taking some time to cool off and relax at camp, we headed back out to hit the Ice Cave Trail.
And this one had a completely different feel from the morning hike.
Where the Old Settlers Trail was more open with elevation and ridge views, this trail felt more enclosed—like you were moving through the terrain instead of over it.
A Totally Different Kind of Trail
Right away, you notice the change:
- Heavier tree cover
- Cooler temperatures from the shade
- Rock formations and bluffs tucked into the forest
The trail winds through sandstone features and uneven ground, with sections that feel more like exploring than just hiking.
It’s quieter, more tucked away, and honestly a nice break from the heat earlier in the day.
Why It Was the Perfect Second Hike
This ended up being the ideal follow-up to the morning:
- Shorter and less demanding
- Shaded and cooler
- More about the experience than the effort
After sitting in the shade and resetting a bit, this was exactly what we needed—something to get moving again without overdoing it.
Small Town Stops, Shade Breaks & Real Life Moments
After finishing up the Ice Cave Trail, we decided to get out of the park for a bit and check out some local Amish bakeries in the area.
Definitely the right call.
We picked up some baked goods and snacks—simple stuff, but it always hits different when it’s fresh and homemade.
When Plans Change… Fast
Not long after, things took a turn.
While we were out, my girlfriend ended up with a stomach ache—and it went from “not feeling great” to “we need a bathroom now” pretty quickly.
So we did what you do in that situation…
Got back in the car and hightailed it down the road looking for the nearest place to stop.
Not exactly part of the plan—but definitely part of the story now.
🛶 Kickapoo River Paddle (Ran Later Than Planned)
After our hikes at Wildcat, we met up with Jared from the Mad City Paddlers and headed out to paddle the Kickapoo River.
This is one of my favorite places to paddle. The Kickapoo is peaceful, scenic, and just has a way of slowing everything down. It winds through the Driftless Area with steep banks, thick trees, and quiet bends where you never really know what you’re going to see next.
We put on later in the afternoon, which was fine for seasoned paddlers, but a little later than ideal for someone newer like my girlfriend. At first, though, it didn’t feel like a problem at all. We were taking our time, paddling easy, talking, and just enjoying being on the water.
That’s the thing about the Kickapoo—it makes you want to slow down.
A Wildlife Moment We Won’t Forget
Part way down the river, we came around a bend and saw a fawn standing right at the water’s edge.
It just stood there watching us.
Then we realized its mom was up over the riverbank in the tall grass. As we drifted a little closer, the fawn started bleating for her. Soft at first, then a little more urgently.
You could almost hear it saying:
“Mom… mom… mom…”
It was one of those moments that makes you stop paddling for a second and just take it in. We gave it space and kept moving, but that little encounter stuck with us. Moments like that are a big part of what makes the Kickapoo so special.
When the Mood Changed
As the afternoon went on, the sun started to drop lower and we realized we had spent a little too much time just enjoying the float.
Then the mosquitoes came out.
Heavy.
Especially on and around the river once the light started to fade.
That relaxed pace we started with? We had to pick it up. What had been a laid-back paddle turned into more of a focused push to finish before it got any later.
The Numbers
Here’s what that paddle ended up being:
- Distance: 12.66 miles
- Time on water: 3 hours 37 minutes
- Average speed: 3.5 mph
That’s a solid stretch of river. For experienced paddlers, very manageable. For a beginner, especially later in the day, it starts to feel like a lot.
Adjusting the Plan
Once it started getting later, we made a smart call.
We stopped at Landing 9 so my girlfriend could get off the water and wait for us there. Then we continued downriver to Landing 10, where the shuttle car was parked.
We got the boats loaded up, went back and picked her up, then returned to our main car to load the boats onto our vehicle.
Not exactly how we pictured the paddle going when we started, but it worked—and that’s part of outdoor trips too. Sometimes the plan changes and you just adjust.
Back at Camp
By the time we got back to camp, we were ready to slow things down again.
We got a fire going, cooked dinner, and relaxed for a while before turning in for the night.
And this time, after the raccoon incident the night before, we made sure all the food was cleaned up and put away properly.
No repeat visitors.
Back at Camp
We got back, fired up the fire, cooked dinner, and finally slowed everything down.
And this time—we did it right.
All food cleaned up.
Everything put away.
No raccoon rematch.
🌄 Day 3: The Unplanned Stop That Was Worth It
We packed up Sunday morning and started heading home.
But we took a different route.
That detour brought us past Mill Bluff State Park.
So we stopped.
The Climb
Short hike—but steep.
- Distance: 0.68 miles
- Elevation gain: 177 ft
And most of it?
Stairs.
A lot of them.
Rock-cut steps climbing straight up the bluff.
The View
And at the top… this.
Bluffs stretching into the distance. Endless trees. That wide-open Driftless Area landscape.
We stood up there for a while just taking it in.
No rush to leave.
🔥 Final Thoughts
Trips like this aren’t about everything going perfectly.
They’re about:
- Figuring things out on the fly
- Laughing at mistakes later
- Finding those moments that slow everything down
From raccoons trying to break into the tent…
To ridge hikes and valley views…
To a paddle that ran later than planned…
This one had a little bit of everything.
If you haven’t been to Wildcat Mountain State Park yet—put it on your list.
And maybe…
👉 Don’t bring food into your tent
👉 Start your paddle a little earlier
👉 And always take the detour
🧰 Gear From This Trip
- ALPS Mountaineering Lynx 2-Person Backpacking and Camping Tent
- Headlamp & lantern
- Fire starters
- Simple cook setup
- Dry bags for paddling
- Bug spray (trust me)
- Bear bag + cordage (learn from my mistake)
👉 Find my full gear list here:
Gear Reviews
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This post may contain affiliate links. If you purchase through these links, I may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. I only recommend gear I personally use and trust.
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