Wisconsin's Best Scenic Overlooks

Wisconsin's finest overlooks are from the quartzite bluffs of Devil's Lake, the Mississippi River bluffs of the Great River Road, and the Lake Superior shore above Bayfield.

East Bluff Overlooks (Devil's Lake SP)
The finest overlook in Wisconsin — from the Devil's Doorway formation on the East Bluff, 500 feet above Devil's Lake, the view of the lake, the West Bluff, and the Baraboo Hills is extraordinary. The quartzite formations in the foreground add geological drama.

Buena Vista Park Overlook (Alma)
The finest view of the Mississippi River in Wisconsin — from Buena Vista Park's blufftop (400 feet above the river), the view south along the Mississippi braided channel, Lake Pepin (the widest point on the Mississippi), and the Minnesota bluffs across the water is one of the finest river overlooks in the Midwest.

Grandad Bluff (La Crosse)
The definitive La Crosse view — Grandad Bluff rises 590 feet above the Mississippi River confluence of the Black, La Crosse, and Mississippi Rivers. The view from the bluff encompasses three river valleys and the Minnesota bluffs. La Crosse below looks like a toy city from the summit. Accessible by road to the Grandad Bluff Park parking area.

Apostle Islands: Meyers Beach Cliff Top
Above the sea caves on the Lake Superior mainland — the view of the cave-riddled cliffs descending into the lake, with the Apostle Islands visible offshore, is the finest Lake Superior overlook in Wisconsin. In winter, the ice caves visible below (when the lake freezes) are extraordinary.

House on the Rock Overlook (Spring Green)
From the original House on the Rock (Alex Jordan's fantastical house built on a 60-foot chimney of rock above the Wyoming Valley) — the view of the Driftless landscape is the most spectacular private viewpoint in Wisconsin.