Visit Wilton Wisconsin in the Kickapoo Valley
Amil’s Inn in Wilton Wisconsin, is nestled in the Kickapoo Valley. Located 2.5 miles south of Wilton on State Highway 131 the Inn is within minutes of the Elroy-Sparta Bike Trail, Wildcat State Park and the Kickapoo Valley Reserve. Wilton is a village in a small setting of farming and surrounding hills that is located mid-trail between tunnels no.1 and no.2 on State Hwys. 71 and 131, 15 miles south of Tomah. It is also the entrance to the Kickapoo River Recreation Area. Nearby you will find horseback riding, canoeing, antiques, cranberry tours & marshes, Amish Tours and so much more!
Area Dining
View our listing of recommended dining within the area. We keep this list updated based on customer reviews and feedback, as well as our own dining experiences. And don’t forget – a full country breakfast is included in your stay at Amil’s!
Our Favorite Nearby Places
Visitors to the Kickapoo Valley and Driftless area of Wisconsin enjoy unmatched scenery to explore, by car, bike, or boat. Enjoy this gallery of some of our favorite nearby sites. We look forward to welcoming you in person to this stunning area.
Bike the Trails!
The Elroy-Sparta State Bike Trail is considered to be the first rails to trails hiking/biking trail in America! Built from an abandoned Chicago & Northwestern main line, the trail features three amazing rock tunnels and dozens of old stone bridges. For unbelievable scenery during the spring, summer and fall seasons, ride through the trail’s three rock tunnels in an experience you will never forget! In the winter, snowmobile or cross-country ski on the trails!
These tunnels were cut through the rolling hills of Wisconsin in the late 1800’s. Tunnel #3, which is 3/4 of a mile long, is the longest bike trail tunnel in America! Only a 12 mile bike ride from Sparta, it’s an experience no one should miss! The trail has a very slight grade of less than 3% — not making it difficult to ride to the tunnel, but making it much easier to ride coming back from the tunnel to Sparta!
The La Crosse River State Trail runs parallel for several miles with the Canadian Pacific Railroad main line. Talk about a close-up train experience! This trail offers great picture taking of Canadian Pacific/SOO, Burlington Northern/Santa Fe, Union Pacific and Amtrak trains.
If you’re not a biker, you can walk down the trail and sit on one of the benches and enjoy the trains! This is an experience for ALL ages, but the kids will be talking about this one for years to come! For more on biking our area visit the Elroy-Sparta Trail site and www.bikesparta.com.
On the Water!
Kickapoo Valley Reserve
The Kickapoo Valley Reserve is an 8,569 acre tract of land located between the villages of La Farge and Ontario in southwestern Wisconsin. Its history, resources, administration, and recreational diversity make it unique – a place like no other. We invite you to come see for yourself the many wonders of the Kickapoo Valley Reserve. Here sandstone outcroppings tower over the Kickapoo River as you paddle its quiet waters, and native plants and animals abound in all seasons. Whether you’d like to join us for a scheduled interpretive hike, adventure into the back country on your own, or simply stop and admire the beauty, the Kickapoo Valley Reserve welcomes you! Learn more at kvr.state.wi.us
Canoes, Kayaks and Tube Rentals
Kickapoo Wild Adventures
30352 State Highway 131 Norwalk
608-337-4522
kickapoowild.com
Drifty’s Canoe Rental
101 West South St, Ontario
608-337-4288
driftyscanoerental.net
Titanic Canoe Rental
300 State Hwy. 131 N. Ontario
608-337-4551
titaniccanoerental.com
Mr Duck’s Canoe Rental
100 Main S, Ontario
608-337-4711
mrduckscanoerental.com
Wildcat Mountain State Park
Located on a ridge above the Kickapoo River, Wildcat Mountain State Park offers twenty-one miles of scenic hiking, nature and equestrian trails. An observation point, as well as picnic areas overlook the Kickapoo Valley. Visit stateparks.com/wildcat_mountain.html
Amish Attractions & Gifts
Amish culture is based on traditional values and are known for simple living, plain dress, and not using modern conveniences. Horse-drawn buggies are a common site on country roads. Amish-made items are available at local farmers markets, or by a taking a country drive – just look for simple hand-lettered signs. In addition, we recommend:
Old Country Cheese
Great Wisconsin cheese and factory outlet store. Buy fresh Amish and Wisconsin cheese gift boxes, Wisconsin Amish crafts, candy, and maple syrup.
oldcountrycheese.com
Cook Creek Woodworks
Solid Wood Construction Bedroom Sets that are hand crafted. Some of the Inn’s furniture was made by them. Brochure with directions available with our visitor guides.
Country D Quilts
Crafts, rugs, fall mums, baskets, soaps, maple syrup. Located down Sletten Lane in nearby Cashton. Directions available at the Inn.
Paul Shrock Bed Maker’s Wood Shop
Paul Shrock is the owner and craftsman at Bed Maker’s Wood Shop. He made much of the Inn’s furniture. Visit his showroom at 2790 Newport Rd. in Cashton.
Area Events & Happenings
Annual Syttende Mai (Norwegian Folk) Festival in Westby, Wisconsin
5K /walk/run, car show, art & craft tents and much more all amidst ethnic music, food, dancing & folk arts & crafts. Mid May annually.
syttendemaiwestby.com
Annual Cranberry Festival in Warrens, Wisconsin
World’s largest cranberry festival. 350 Antique/Flea market booths, 800 Art/Craft booths, 90 Food booths, 100 Farmers’ Market. Last full weekend in September annually. Visit cranfest.com
Sparta’s Annual Butterfest Festival in Sparta, Wisconsin
Celebrating 29 years of Family Fund. Arts & Crafts. Carnival. Live Stage Entertainment. Gigantic Parade on Sunday. Early June annually. Visit spartabutterfest.com
Wisconsin Dairyland Super National Tractor Pull in Tomah, Wisconsin
NTPA Super National Pull of the Year. Mid to late June, annually. Visit
tomahtractorpull.com
Monroe County Fair in Tomah, Wisconsin
Carnival, food, arts & crafts fair, 4-H exhibits, animal judging, horse pull, rodeo, and much more! Fair officially opens Wednesday, Late July annually. Visit monroecountyfairwi.com
Cranberries!
Cranberries have been grown commercially in Wisconsin for over 150 years. During that time, cranberry growers have adapted their production methods to the environment, changes in agricultural technology and changes in the marketplace. In addition to developing new ways of growing cranberries, they’ve also created new ways of using the fruit. Learn more about this fabulous fruit when you visit these ‘berry’ wonderful places:
Wetherby Cranberry Company
3365 Auger Rd, Warrens, WI 54666
(608) 378-4813 Visit freshcranberries.com
Wisconsin Cranberry Discovery Center
204 Main Street, Warrens WI 54666
608-378-4878 Visit discovercranberries.com
Warrens Cranberry Festival, Inc.
P.O. Box 146, 402 Pine Street, Warrens, WI 54666
608-378-4200 Visit cranfest.com
Additional Places to Visit:
Organic Valley Family of Farms
CROPP Cooperative
Tours at Organic Valley’s Headquarters located at One Organic Way in nearby La Farge, WI, can get a tour, can eat lunch in the organic cafe, and shop the retail store.
organicvalley.coop
Vernon Vineyards
Overlooks the Bad Axe River in scenic Vernon County. Open Westby’s Syttende Mai weekend. Offers a wine tasting room with a roomy and warm atmosphere overlooking the long upper Newton Valley, to sample the wines and enjoy the view. Free tours during open hours.
vernonvineyards.com
The Deke Slayton Memorial Space & Bicycle Museum
A Museum is dedicated to the career of Donald Kent “Deke” Slayton, Wisconsin astronauts, the history of the bicycle and history of aviation in Monroe County, Wisconsin.
dekeslaytonmuseum.com
Monroe County Local History Room & Museum
History Exhibits, Interactive displays, Free Admission, Tours Welcome. 200 W Main Street in Sparta Wisconsin.
www.monroecountyhistory.org
Growers Produce Auction
A great market for wholesale buyers. Small lots are also sold for anyone interested in household consumption or canning.
growersproduceauction.com
Village of Wilton
Wilton welcomes you to Western Wisconsin’s Driftless Area settled along the banks of the Kickapoo River. Visit the village site for more to do!
villageofwiltonwi.com
Martin Warehousing
While not a tourist destination, Wilton wouldn’t be Wilton without Martin, they donate so much to our town, so we wanted to show them some love!
martinmilk.com
What Our Guests Have to Say…“We routinely stay at B&Bs and found Amil’s Inn to be a lovely place to stay. The rooms were clean and inviting. The food was good and the hosts were friendly and welcoming. I would definitely recommend this B & B to anyone wanting comfortable lodging near the Kickapoo canoe rental places, the bike trail and Wildcat Mountain State Park.” Gordon M.