Winter Camping Rendezvous January 2024
Join Snowtrekker at the Kickapoo Valley Reserve for the Winter Camping Rendezvous January 11th through the 14th.
The Kickapoo Valley Reserve (KVR) is a large nature reserve and outdoor recreation area located in southwestern Wisconsin encompassing 8,600 acres of land situated along the Kickapoo River.
The KVR was established in the 1990s to protect the environmentally sensitive Kickapoo River and its surrounding watershed from potential dam construction. The dam proposal was ultimately abandoned, and the area was designated as a reserve to preserve its natural beauty and provide opportunities for outdoor recreation, education, and sustainable land use.
The reserve features a variety of habitats, including forests, wetlands, and grasslands. It offers numerous recreational activities such as hiking, bird watching, fishing, canoeing, hunting, and camping. Ther are also interpretive programs and events that focus on the natural and cultural history of the region.
The KVR is managed by the KVR management board which includes representatives from local, state, and federal agencies, as well as members of the community. The goal of KVR is to balance conservation with sustainable land use and provide a place for people to connect with nature.
As winter blankets the KVR a unique and adventurous landscape takes hold over the driftless region. The KVR holds an annual winter festival every year. Winter Festival is a wonderful family event that highlights outdoor winter activities. Activities include sledding, skiing, snow sculpture, ice formation hikes, wildlife talks & hikes, face painting, horse-drawn bobsled rides, snowshoe exhibit, sled dog demonstrations! Bring your child and your dog and try out the Mutt Fun dogsled run. Conquer the snow mountain & snow tunnel. Test your skills at the Traditional Snow Snake Competition or Smoosh Races. Night winter activities can include star gazing and candlelight snowshoe hike.
Now that Snowtrekker is part of the community here we felt it would be great to embrace this wonderful festival with a winter camping gathering. Last year was our first winter camping event in conjunction with Winter Fest. This year and moving forward it will be called the Winter Camping Rhonda-vous. Rhonda Reynolds a great ambassador for the winter camping community hosted a winter camping rendezvous at Sawmill Park in northern Wisconsin. After her unexpected passing last year we are hosting this event at the KVR in conjunction with Winter Fest and moving forward. Keeping her memory alive and with a new event name, the Winter Camping Rhonda-vous.
One of the highlights of the Winter Camping Rhonda-vous is the sense of community it fosters. Meet new friends and old while sharing your winter adventure experiences around a crackling campfire. From Shared stories to collaborative campsite setups, explore the unique camaraderie that comes with braving the winter chill together.
OH!... and did we mention dining Al Fresco winter edition. Embark on a culinary adventure like no other with a gourmet experience curated by renowned Chef Luke Zham from the Driftless Café. Chef Zham will be cooking a Saturday evening community meal for the Rhonda-vous. So don’t forget to pack your appetite because Saturdays meal promises to be a winter camping meal like no other.
The winter camping Rhonda-vous will run Thursday January 11th till Sunday January 14th. Registration for the event is $20.00 per person. All registration proceeds are donated to the KVR to help them continue connecting people to nature. What you need to bring is a tent, whether it’s a hot tent or not and sleeping gear. Firewood and porta potties will be provided on site. Deadline to register is by January 5th
