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Highway 131: Kickapoo Valley, Driftless Area, Wisconsin
Photo: Corey Coyle · CC BY 3.0

Drives Wisconsin Wisconsin

Highway 131: Kickapoo Valley

WI 131, State Highway 171 · Ontario → Gays Mills

Leisurely38 mi1 hr2,100 ft climbHigh point ≈ 1,000 ftOne way
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The drive

Wisconsin 131 follows the Kickapoo River valley through the hilly, rural Driftless Area. From Ontario the road passes a corner of Wildcat Mountain State Park and runs through the Kickapoo Valley Reserve toward La Farge. It crosses the Kickapoo River seven times in the 7.3 miles between Rockton and Ontario.

The highway goes on through La Farge, Viola, Readstown and Soldiers Grove, where it briefly shares the road with other highways, and ends at Gays Mills at the Wisconsin 171 junction.

The drive is 38.2 miles and takes about 1 hr when open. The curves are mostly gentle.

Along the way

  1. Ontario (Highway 33)
  2. La Farge
  3. Readstown
  4. Gays Mills
Elevation
2,100 ft of climbing · high point ≈ 1,000 ft
OntarioGays Mills
Curves
Mostly gentle curves
OntarioGays Mills
GentleHairpins

Good to know

  • Wisconsin 131 near the Kickapoo Valley Reserve has been closed to through traffic for construction. Visitors to the Reserve are treated as local traffic and can reach campsites, river landings and trailheads.
  • Some bridges will have intermittent total closures during the project.
  • The Reserve's Visitor Center, at 608-625-2960, can suggest alternate routes.

Open all year, weather permitting. Roads close for snow, fire, storms and repairs: before you set off, check Kickapoo Valley Reserve: WIS 131 detour and closure.

Questions about this drive

Is Highway 131 in the Kickapoo Valley closed?

Construction can close Wisconsin 131 to through traffic, but access to the Reserve is kept open. Check the Reserve's page before you go.

How long is Highway 131 from Ontario to Gays Mills?

Wisconsin 131 from Ontario to Gays Mills is 38.2 miles and takes about 1 hr when open.

Is there a fee at the Kickapoo Valley Reserve?

Yes. A Reserve pass is required, and Wisconsin state park passes are not valid there.

What you get in the app

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Distance, time, elevation, curves and intensity are from Carve's route. Checked 2026-10-28.

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Map of Highway 131: Kickapoo Valley, from Ontario to Gays Mills