Maiden Rock Bluff

On the western edge of Wisconsin, just an hour south of Hudson is a 400-foot limestone cliff called Maiden Rock Bluff. When standing on Maiden Rock Bluff, you’ll have a stunning panoramic view of Wisconsin’s Great River Road and the Mississippi River. It’s a beautiful and serene spot and still a bit of a hidden gem. One evening, while on the Lands’ End Heritage Tour, I decided to try and find it. I packed a little picnic and sat on the bluff, watching the sunset.

As you enter the tiny village of Stockholm, turn north onto Spring Street (also called County Road J). Drive up the hill for about a mile until you see County Road E on your left. Wind your way up Cty Rd E for another mile. Turn left onto Long Lane. It’s a gravel road that deadends at the Maiden Rock parking lot.

After parking, you’ll walk back down the road you just came on and you’ll see a narrow, two-lane, dirt road on your left. This path will take you all the way to Maiden Rock Bluff. For the first mile or so, you’ll walk through open field, with tall prairie grass on either side of you. The last little stretch will bring you next to some huge oaks trees and you’ll see the bluff overlooking the Mississippi.