Illustration of a couple driving along the Great River Road in Wisconsin, but with a spine-chilling twist. The vibrant autumnal colors are juxtaposed with eerie elements to give the scene a supernatural vibe.

Take a Spooky Road Trip Along Wisconsin’s Great River Road

Written byJack and Kitty

Hit the road this Halloween for a scenic drive where autumn leaves and ghostly tales collide on Wisconsin’s Great River Road! 🚗🍂👻

✅ Listen to Take a Spooky Road Trip Along Wisconsin’s Great River Road on our podcast. We release new episodes of Travel with Jack and Kitty every day! Subscribe and listen on your favorite podcast app. 🎙️❤️

Quick Summary: Wisconsin’s Great River Road

Experience a haunted road trip along Wisconsin’s Great River Road, where natural beauty meets the supernatural. 🚗👻

  • Learn about the historical and natural wonders of the 250-mile stretch.
  • Keep an eye out for mythical creatures like Mothman and Pepie the Monster.
  • Discover haunted tales from towns like La Crosse, Ferryville, and Genoa.
Illustration of a couple driving along the Great River Road in Wisconsin, but with a spine-chilling twist. The vibrant autumnal colors are juxtaposed with eerie elements to give the scene a supernatural vibe.
Are YOU brave enough to go on a haunted drive along Wisconsin’s Great River Road? Digital artwork by Jack and Kitty Norton.

Ready for a Spooky Road Trip?

Ready for a Halloween adventure that combines the beauty of autumn leaves with some good old-fashioned scares? Look no further than Wisconsin‘s Great River Road! 🍂🎃

Hey there, Kitty here! 👋😺 Wondering why Jack and I are your go-to peeps for all things Midwest? Well, let me spill the tea. 🍵 For over 20 years, we’ve been jamming out as traveling musicians and making films, mostly right here in the heartland. Born and raised in Minneapolis, we’re as Midwest as tater tot hotdish. 🥘 Now, we’re living it up in Winona, Minnesota. You might’ve seen our Amazon best-selling Midwest travel guidebooks, or maybe you’re a fan of our daily podcast and travel blog. Either way, when it comes to the Midwest, we’ve got the scoop to keep YOU in the loop! 🗺️✌️

Wisconsin’s Great River Road…it’s Haunted!

Picture this: you’re cruising down a gorgeous road, windows down, soaking in the vibrant autumn leaves. 🍂🚗 But wait, there’s a twist! What if I told you this isn’t just any scenic drive, but a haunted highway packed with ghostly tales and mythical creatures? 😱 Buckle up, adventure seekers, because today’s blog is taking you on a Halloween road trip like no other—right along Wisconsin’s Great River Road! 🎃👻

Illustration capturing a couple driving along the Great River Road in Wisconsin, admiring the breathtaking autumn foliage.
Autumn in the Midwest is like like lattes and pumpkin spice – a thing you will fall in love with once you experience it for the first time. The colors here are just too beautiful for words. A fall drive in Wisconsin is so much fun! Digital artwork by Jack and Kitty Norton.

What is the Great River Road?

The Great River Road is a 250-mile stretch along Highway 35 that follows the Mississippi River. 🛣️ It starts in Kieler in the south and ends in Prescott up north. But get this—it’s not just about the scenic drive. This road has a collection of spooky tales that make it the perfect haunted road trip! 🌲👀

A Trip Through Time

Did you know the towns along the Great River Road are some of the Midwest’s oldest, dating back to the 1600s? ⏳ Before Europeans arrived, Indigenous folks lived in the area. You can even spot ancient burial and effigy mounds along the way. 🍁🏞️

Nature’s Beauty

Thanks to a 1924 Congressional Act, most of the route is flanked by wetlands and pristine river forests. 🍃 The Lock and Dam system built in the 1930s also adds to the area’s natural beauty, so expect some stunning views. 🦅🌿

Illustration of Mothman with a blend of human and moth features, hovering over a Wisconsin road. The mix of manly physique with moth characteristics like wings and red eyes gives it a unique appearance.
Folks believe this is a real creature…and the Mothman has moved from his home state of West Virginia to Wisconsin. Maybe he heard about how awesome life in the Midwest is! 😉 Digital artwork by Jack and Kitty Norton.

Watch the Skies for Mothman

Heard of Mothman? 👀🌌 This winged man with red eyes became famous in 1966. Believe it or not, sightings have also been reported in Wisconsin, especially around Trempealeau Mountain. Spooky, right? 😱👽

Illustration of the legendary Pepie, the Lake Pepin monster.
Honestly guys, I think Pepie the Lake Pepin Monster sounds kinda cute. Hehe! Digital artwork by Jack and Kitty Norton.

Meet Nessie’s Cousin: Pepie

As you drive near Lake Pepin, keep an eye out for Nessie’s cousin, Pepie. 🐉🌊 This serpent-like creature has been chilling in the lake for over 100 years! A $50,000 reward for proof exists, but Pepie seems to like her privacy. 📸💰

Illustration of a spooky cemetery in La Crosse, Wisconsin. Captures the eerie ambiance with the ghostly apparition emerging from an open grave.
Some folks believe that La Crosse is one of the most haunted cities in Wisconsin. What do you think? Digital artwork by Jack and Kitty Norton.

Haunted Spots in La Crosse

La Crosse has its fair share of haunted tales. 👻🏡 From empty graves to haunted locations, this place has more spooky stories than it has cheese curds. It’s a must-visit for all you thrill-seekers out there. 😜🧀

More Spooks Along the Way

In towns like Ferryville and Genoa, expect even more haunted tales. 🕸️🚪 There’s a playful ghost named Kenny in Genoa and a ghost known as Blue Moon in Ferryville. Both places offer some chilly drafts. And heck, even if you don’t find one of these ghosts at least you could stop in a local brewery for some great Wisconsin beer! Hehe. 😏🍻

Conclusion: Wisconsin’s Great River Road

So, if you’re up for a scenic drive mixed with a bit of ghost-hunting, Wisconsin’s Great River Road is the place to be this Halloween season.

Enjoy the thrills! 🎃👻

✅ Don’t miss out! Listen to today’s podcast episode, Take a Spooky Road Trip Along Wisconsin’s Great River Road – where we go even deeper into this story. Remember, we release new episodes of Travel with Jack and Kitty every day! Subscribe on your favorite podcast app. 🎙️❤️

Show Notes: Links to Stuff We Talk About

Listen to our Podcast about the Mothman in Wisconsin!
You might’ve heard of the Mothman, that eerie humanoid creature from West Virginia… has he moved to Wisconsin?

Listen on YouTube

A Spooky Road Trip on Wisconsin's Great River Road - it's Haunted! [AUDIO]
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Dad Jokes with Jack and Kitty

Why did the ghost take the highway? He heard it was the fastest way to the boo-levard!

What’s a vampire’s favorite part of the road trip? The rest stop. He’s always looking for a quick bite!

Click here for more dad jokes.

Jack and Kitty Norton are Emmy Award winning and best-selling authors. High school sweethearts turned married soulmates, this fun-loving couple splits their time between Minnesota and Tennessee and would love to have you over for some tater tot hotdish.