Between Milwaukee And Rochester Is Wisconsin's Charming Town With Lake Fun, Parks, And A Scenic Waterfall

How much can a town of around 1,400 truly offer travelers? In the case of La Valle, Wisconsin, quite a lot. Resting on the confluence of the Big and Little Baraboo Rivers, the charming destination offers lake fun, parks, and a scenic waterfall, about 140 miles northwest of Milwaukee and 150 miles southeast of Rochester, Minnesota.

At the heart of the town lies an eponymous village of nearly 400 residents. It earned its name from early settlers who simply called it the French word for "the valley." Dubbed an "accident," it sprouted up around a mill, with flour barrel and broom factories added shortly afterward. It became the sort of place where postal duties were chosen by drawing cuts, and residents were known by their occupation. A water-powered turbine generator installed in the early 20th century supplied the village with electricity up until 1970. Its local leaders had nicknames like "Granny" and "Slick," according to the Village of La Valle website, and a Civil War-era cannon sits in its cemetery. That homespun, self-sufficient character is still visible, and it's now the sort of place where an injured owl's recovery and release lands like a major event (as reported by Sauk County).

Two lakes — Redstone and Dutch Hollow — lie near the village, and color the lives of residents and travelers alike. Visiting La Valle quickly becomes as much an exercise in sociological research as a travel excursion. Towns like it dot the side roads of the Midwest and "flyover states"; most barely get noticed. Yet keen travelers know the unique rewards that come with elbowing up to a local watering hole or eatery and striking up a conversation with a local. Accident or not, La Valle can be the stage for such interactions, along with outdoor activities galore, over the course of a weekend or longer.

La Valle may be a valley, but it's surrounded by lakes and rivers. To the town's northwest lies Dutch Hollow Lake, a 172-acre artificial body of water that allows boating. Anglers can bring their gear and target the bass and walleye, while the local association's campground lets visitors stay a while longer. Nearby Lake Redstone's 635 acres let visitors boat and cast a line for bass, pike, and walleye while out on the water. The lake's strict rules governing speed and wakes make it a tranquil spot to gaze at the water at its eponymous, 30-acre park or take a dip at the beach.

Within the park, about 800 feet away from its parking lot, lies a scenic "waterfall" — actually a spillway for the lake. It sends water cascading down a natural rock face, thus resembling a waterfall. The subtlety can disappoint those looking for a real waterfall. Yet the resulting frothy mix of water and white noise creates a peaceful cul-de-sac in a park already full of stuff to do. "Beautiful waterfall," one local wrote in a review on Google. "It is usually pretty gentle and very peaceful. If visiting Lake Redstone, this is a nice little area to walk by."

Hemlock Park, the town's 73-acre green heart, lends any visit a chance at outdoor excursions. Travelers can expect the usual small-town park amenities, such as picnic tables, bathrooms, and grills. There's also a hiking trail that covers the park's wetlands, 38 acres of forest, and more. The 22-acre slough at the park's heart lets anglers cast a line for largemouth bass, northern pike, or panfish. If you're lucky enough to own a vessel nearby, you launch from a boat ramp and cast a line from the middle of the slough.

Visiting Wisconsin creates a near moral obligation to indulge in a bit of cheese. The Carr Valley Cheese Company, producers of cheddars and spreads galore, has its headquarters about 10 minutes outside of La Valle. The cheese is wildly popular, and it's no great shock to read Tripadvisor and Google reviews with extravagant remembrances of their first encounter with the company's squeaky curds. The shop is a must-visit for any traveler. Consider it a cool chaser to the concentrated dose of cheesy goodness and tasty fun you'll find at Wisconsin's mouth-watering cheese festivals.

La Valle's proximity to Madison makes it a no-brainer for a day trip or stop along a bigger drive, as the dearth of major travel hubs makes flying a non-starter. Smaller towns like La Valle lack the large-scale, chain hotels travelers are used to, so for those, make the 10-minute trip to Reedsburg, which has several inns and chains. Smaller destinations on La Valle's periphery have higher-end private accommodations — cabins in the woods, guest houses — that can serve as a base for longer stays. If you're sticking around longer, make a one-hour drive out to Sparta, a tiny Wisconsin city called the "Bicycling capital of America."

Being in Wisconsin, you'll get a proper taste of all four seasons, with winters decidedly below freezing and summers with 80-plus degree Fahrenheit high temperatures. Be sure you bring your fishing gear or swim trunks if you visit during warmer months, and leave plenty of room in your stomach for cheese curds. You can round off your visit with a trip to Mill Bluff State Park, a rock-carved destination with wild swims, trails, and camping, only 40 minutes away.