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Visit Bluff Country

A guide to Historic Bluff Country

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Visit Bluff Country
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Barb Jeffers - Kayak on River
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Your Adventures Start Here!

Bluff Country contains the most scenic landscapes within the Driftless Area, which is a beautiful region in the upper Midwest that includes portions of Minnesota, Wisconsin, Iowa, and Illinois.   

During the last glacial period, these areas were never covered by ice, so they had no glacial drift “driftless” and the landscape looks much different from other areas in the Midwest. 

Bluff Country is known for steep bluffs and cliffs around river valleys, forested ridges, karst geology, and spring-fed streams.  When you visit the area, experience scenic drives, many charming small towns, and welcoming people.  The area has so much to explore for everyone.

Upcoming Events in Bluff Country

Jun 17 - 21 2026

Steamboat Days – Winona MN

Jun 18 2026

Prairie Villa Rendevous – Praire de Chien WI

Jun 20 2026

Founder’s Day Festival – Caledonia MN

Jun 20 2026

Children’s Fun Fest – Caledonia MN

Jun 20 2026

Art in the Park – Lanesboro MN

Jun 20 2026

Music on the Bluff – Whalan MN

Jun 20 2026

Randy Klinski Memorial Car Show – Caledonia Founder’s Day – MN

Jun 20 2026

Car Show – Winona Steamboat Days – MN

Jun 20 2026

Car Show – Prairie du Chien WI

Jun 20 2026

Lake Louise State Park Open House – LeRoy, MN

Jun 23 2026

Music in Veterans Park – Caledonia MN

Jun 24 2026 - Jul 26 2026

Great River Shakespeare Festival – Winona MN

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Experience Bluff Country

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Bluff Country News & Stories

Be a Visit Bluff Country Winner

Visit Bluff Country Contest for the Best of the Best

2025 Prizes

Drawing Prizes Visit Bluff Country

Drawing Winners

Green Mountain Pellet Grill Winner

Green Mountain Pellet Grill Winner

Oct 12, 2024
Blackstone 4-Burner Griddle Winner

Blackstone 4-Burner Griddle Winner

Third Kayak winner of the Summer

Third Kayak winner of the Summer

Second Kayak winner of the Summer

Second Kayak winner of the Summer

First Kayak winner of the Summer 2024

First Kayak winner of the Summer 2024

See the winners of The Best of the Best 2026!

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Bluff Country News

Decorah Recognized in Midwest Living’s 2026 Best of the Midwest Awards

Decorah Recognized in Midwest Living’s 2026 Best of the Midwest Awards

Visit Bluff Country Mar 19, 2026

Decorah has been named a winner in the 2026 Best of the Midwest Awards presented by Midwest Living. The recognition…

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Dr. Nancy Coleman Gives Online Presentation about Vesterheim Exhibi

Dr. Nancy Coleman Gives Online Presentation about Vesterheim Exhibi

Visit Bluff Country Mar 19, 2026

Visit the exhibit, “Pioneering Pages: Forming the New American Woman,” open at Vesterheim, the National Norwegian-American Museum and Folk Art…

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Chloe Bischoff Connects Storytelling, Soil, and Ceramics as Lanesboro Artist-in-Residence

Chloe Bischoff Connects Storytelling, Soil, and Ceramics as Lanesboro Artist-in-Residence

Visit Bluff Country Mar 2, 2026

Lanesboro Arts is pleased to welcome Minneapolis-based ceramicist Chloe Bischoff as the Lanesboro Artist-in-Residence from April 1 – April 30.…

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Vesterheim Features: The National Norwegian-American Folk Art Exhibition

Vesterheim Features: The National Norwegian-American Folk Art Exhibition

Visit Bluff Country Feb 25, 2026

DECORAH, Iowa — Vesterheim, the National Norwegian-American Museum and Folk Art School, is participating in the project, Handwork 2026, joining…

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51st Annual WIARA State Ski & Snowboard Championships

51st Annual WIARA State Ski & Snowboard Championships

Visit Bluff Country Feb 10, 2026

Explore La Crosse is excited to announce the 51st Wisconsin State High School Ski & Snowboard Championships on the beautiful…

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Choose Chatfield for Your Next Adventure

Choose Chatfield for Your Next Adventure

Visit Bluff Country Feb 2, 2026

By Charlene Corson Selbee Next time you are traveling through Chatfield, Minn., include time in your itinerary to get to…

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Family Activities on Free Second Saturday at Vesterheim

Family Activities on Free Second Saturday at Vesterheim

Visit Bluff Country Feb 2, 2026

Visit Vesterheim, the National Norwegian-American Museum and Folk Art School, on Free Second Saturday, February 14, for free museum admission…

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Free Day for Local Minnesotans at the International Owl Center

Free Day for Local Minnesotans at the International Owl Center

Visit Bluff Country Jan 5, 2026

Free Day for Local Minnesotans at the International Owl Center January 10-11, 2026 Houston, Minnesota Residents of Winona, Fillmore, and…

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Kick off the holiday season with a Norwegian Christmas celebration at Vesterheim

Kick off the holiday season with a Norwegian Christmas celebration at Vesterheim

Visit Bluff Country Nov 30, 2025

Kick off the holiday season with a Norwegian Christmas celebration at Vesterheim, the National Norwegian-American Museum and Folk Art School,…

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In vintage baseball, players do not use gloves, only one ball is used for the entire game, and the bat is a round wooden stick with a maximum diameter of 2.5 inches. Photo submitted

Play Ball: Wykoff Fall Festival Hits It Out of the Park!

Visit Bluff Country Sep 22, 2025

In vintage baseball, players do not use gloves, only one ball is used for the entire game, and the bat…

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136 St. Anthony Street | PO Box 496
Preston, MN. 55965

800-599-0481
A publication of the Fillmore County Journal

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Minnesota Towns

  • Brownsville
  • Caledonia
  • Canton
  • Chatfield
  • Fountain
  • Fremont
  • Harmony
  • Hokah
  • Houston
  • Kellogg
  • La Crescent
  • Lake City
  • Lanesboro
  • LeRoy
  • Mabel
  • Millville
  • Peterson
  • Plainview
  • Preston
  • Red Wing
  • Rushford
  • Rushford Village
  • Spring Grove
  • Spring Valley
  • St. Charles
  • Wabasha
  • Whalan
  • Winona
  • Wykoff

Iowa Towns

  • Bluffton
  • Burr Oak
  • Cresco
  • Decorah
  • Elkader
  • Hawkeye
  • Highlandville
  • Lansing
  • Lime Springs
  • Marquette-McGregor
  • Riceville
  • Waukon

Wisconsin Towns

  • Alma
  • Bay City
  • Cassville
  • Fountain City
  • Galesville
  • La Crosse
  • Nelson
  • Pepin
  • Prairie du Chien
  • Warrens

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