WILDCAT MOUNTAIN STATE PARK
On a steep ridge overlooking the scenic Kickapoo River Valley, Wildcat Mountain State Park offers hiking trails with spectacular views and camping for families, groups, and horseback riders. Canoe the Kickapoo River in your own canoe or rent one in Ontario.
The park's 3,603 acres, mostly wooded, contain 25.8 miles of trails.
A Wisconsin State Park System vehicle admission sticker is required on all motor vehicles stopping in state parks, forests and recreation areas, please visit the
VEHICLE ADMISSION STICKERS web page.
CampingPrimitiveyes
Electric Sitesyes
WinterActivitiesyes
Family Campground:
The campground at the top of Wildcat Mountain has 30 sites, all reservable. Each site has a picnic table and fire ring, and the campground has flush toilets, showers, and a dump station. No electrical hookups are available. There's a campground host during the summer.
Group Campground:
There are three reservable group sites about a half-mile east of the park office. The campground can accommodate up to 75 people and has vault toilets, picnic tables, fire rings, and a shelter house. Water must be obtained at the shower building.
Horsetrail Campground:
There are 24 sites for equestrians are a valley northeast of the park office. Of the 24 sites, 20 can be reserved (exit DNR). Sites 7 through 10 are first-come, first-served. The campground has picnic tables, fire rings, drinking water, vault toilets, a corral, hitching posts, parking pads, loading ramps, and a large parking lot.
The Kickapoo is the Wisconsin River's longest tributary. The Kickapoo River meanders for 130 miles from Wilton to Wauzeka, where it empties into the Wisconsin River. As the crow flies, this distance is less than half that long, about 60 miles. The name Kickapoo is Algonquin for "one who goes here, then there" and accurately describes the river, which flows in all directions of the compass for portions of its length.
The Kickapoo is a slow-moving river which overflows its banks rapidly in heavy rains.
The United States Geological Survey (USGS) operates three stream gauges on the Kickapoo River. These instruments record the water level and flow of the Kickapoo River hourly. One gauge is in Ontario, one downstream in LaFarge and the third further downstream in Steuben. This information (exit DNR) is useful for planning a Kickapoo River canoe trip.