Wilderness Landscape & Natural Heritage
The Crawford Wildlife Area spans approximately 13,400 acres across Crawford and Vernon Counties in southwestern Wisconsin, located in the Driftless Area where the landscape avoided glaciation during the last Ice Age. This results in a distinctive topography of rugged hills, deep valleys, and limestone bluffs, providing a variety of habitats including oak savannas, hardwood forests, wetlands, prairies, and riparian corridors. Managed by the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, the area supports abundant populations of whitetail deer, wild turkey, ruffed grouse, waterfowl, and a range of songbirds, making it a premier location for hunting and bird watching. In addition to game species, Crawford Wildlife Area is home to rare native plants and serves as critical habitat for several threatened and endangered species. Visitors can explore a network of trails used for hiking, cross-country skiing, and mountain biking, with designated hunting zones carefully managed to balance recreation and conservation. The area also offers excellent fishing spots along the Kickapoo River and several small lakes and ponds. Historically, the land was once inhabited by Native American tribes before European settlement shaped its current land use. Crawford Wildlife Area is appreciated for its quiet natural beauty, rich biodiversity, and diverse recreational opportunities, attracting outdoor enthusiasts seeking solitude, wildlife encounters, and scenic landscapes.
