The COVID-19 pandemic has left many people stir crazy, itching to get out of the house, yet unsure maybe where to go. If you’re looking for a safe, social distancing friendly day trip with gorgeous scenery, check out the Wisconsin Rustic Roads Program Guide.

The program, under the umbrella of the Wisconsin Department of Transportation, started more than 40 years ago. Its mission is to highlight and preserve scenic, country roads with interesting or unique topography, natural features, native vegetation and wildlife, as well as agricultural vistas. The roads may be dirt, gravel or paved, but must be at least two miles long and complete a loop or end or begin at major, more travelled roads. To qualify as a Rustic Road, they can’t be scheduled for major improvements which would change the rustic characteristics.

The state now has 122 Rustic Roads, covering nearly 740 miles throughout 61 Wisconsin counties. Rustic Roads can be spotted by their brown and yellow road signs that mark the official route.

“If you want to get out and see Wisconsin, the Rustic Roads guide provides a great list of routes in areas across the state,” Gov. Tony Evers said in a May 6 news release. “I’m excited Rustic Roads is expanding into more counties and hope folks will take the opportunity to enjoy Wisconsin’s great scenery.”

Evers announced the addition of two more roads to the program: Rustic Road_ 121_ — Lee Road, between Highway 80 and County Road S, in_ the towns of Plymouth and Fountain, Juneau County. It is a paved 2.9-mile long road, with the landscape left untouched by the glaciers that once covered much of Wisconsin. Its hills and twists offer an idyllic overlook on miles of farm landscapes, bluffs and ridges. It’s a great place to experience spectacular sunrises and sunsets.

“Rustic Roads are thanks to a unique local-state partnership that provides a recreational opportunity for people of all abilities,” said Wisconsin Department of Transportation (WisDOT) Secretary-designee Craig Thompson in the news release. “There’s likely a road near you now that almost every county has designated one of these scenic routes.”

Pierce County has two Rustic Roads of its own. They and other area Rustic Roads descriptions from the guide are detailed below.

Pierce County

Rustic Road 51

Location: Portions of 20th Avenue, 197th Street and 50th Avenue from County_ CC to County AA.

Length: 4.3 miles Surface: Gravel Just east of the_Wisconsin Great River Road, located near rolling agricultural farmland, this narrow, winding, gravel road frequently crosses a trout stream in the midst of dense woodlands. At the intersection of 50th Avenue and County Road CC, there is a lovely old church from the late_ 1800s. Just a few miles south of County Road CC is a wayside historical marker and a replica of the house where_Laura Ingalls Wilder_ grew up. She wrote about this house in the book_Little House in the Big Woods.

Rustic Road 92

Location: Happy Valley Road (also known as 770th Avenue and 910th Street) to Pleasant View Road (also known as 719th Avenue) heading east until it intersects with County Road O.

Length: 4.1 miles Surface: Paved R-92 is a winding and hilly route that takes you beneath a canopy of basswood, elm, maple and oak trees for part of the route — giving the traveler a feeling of entering a peaceful tunnel. During spring and summer, the sides of the road are lined with green foliage and wildflowers such as Dutchman's breeches, bloodroot, chamomile and hepatica. Rolling farm fields and steep tree-covered hills add to the beauty of the road.

Pepin County

Rustic Road 122

(new route) Location: Semple Road, from County Road D to County Road Z in the towns of Waterville and Waubeek.

Length: 2.7 miles Surface: Paved Semple Road is enjoyed by bicyclists, hikers, motorcyclists and motorists because of its flowing curves, hills and remote feeling. You will likely see deer, turkeys and bald eagles along the way.

A bridge crosses the Missouri Creek, which feeds into the Eau Galle River, part of the nearby Eau Galle River Wildlife Area.

Dunn County

Rustic Road 107

Location: 160th Avenue, 650th Street and 50th Avenue from County Road O to County Road M, town of Peru.

Length: 6.7 miles Surface: Paved and gravel Route 107 follows the Chippewa River through wooded canopies opening up to meadows and beautiful views. There are numerous water resources, with wetlands throughout. The Chippewa River State Trail crosses the road in two locations.

Rustic Road 89

Location: 410th and 420th streets between County Road P and 370th Avenue, the town line road.

Length: 5.3 miles Surface: Paved This scenic road winds south from Menomonie through the bluffs along the Red Cedar River. The route parallels the Red Cedar State Trail, which was once a railroad bed but is now a popular recreation trail.

Halfway along the route is Devil’s Punch Bowl, a miniature canyon with a waterfall created by the last glacier 12,000 years ago. It’s a 2.9acre scientific area.

St. Croix County

Rustic Road 4

Location: South of Glenwood City beginning at State Road 128 South to its intersection with County Road W.

Length: 4.6 miles Surface: Gravel The road runs south parallel to Rustic Road 3 and borders the east side of the Glen Hills County Park watershed area. This area is known for vibrant fall colors mixed with contrasting coniferous trees. Look for glacial rock formations and wild turkeys as you go.

Rustic Road 3

Location: Beginning at State Road 128, following the outer edges of a watershed and county park, ending at County Road E.

Length: 3.6 miles Surface: Paved This curvy, narrow road borders the heavily wooded Glen Hills County Park and privately owned farmland. You can picnic at the park or swim at the Glen Lake beach. A bike trail is posted along the route.

Rustic Road 13

Location: Trout Brook Road between County Road A and River Road Length: 3 miles Surface: Paved This road passes through hilly terrain along the western edge of Willow River State Park, meandering through heavily wooded areas past several artesian wells.

Rustic Road 116

Location: 140th Avenue from County Road A to 120th Street Length: 2.2 miles Surface: Paved You will see towering oak trees interspersed with wetlands and agricultural views. Ten Mile Creek runs parallel to the road. Several public wildlife areas are devoted to waterfowl production and habitat.

To learn more “Whether you are on a bike, in a car or in an RV, the unexpected is ready to be discovered around any turn onto Wisconsin’s Rustic Roads,” said Anne Sayers, Department of Tourism Acting Secretary. “Both the printed and online guides are great planning tools for anyone who wants to go beyond the major highway and find the roads less traveled.”

For a free copy of the new edition of_ Wisconsin Rustic Roads, visit_https://www.trav-elwisconsin. com/ orderguides _ or contact the Department of Tourism tollfree at 1-800-432-8747.

The Rustic Roads guide is available as a PDF and as an online interactive document on the_ Rustic Roads website. These electronic guides provide links to individual Rustic Road features, as well as online maps.

Rustic Roads range from two miles to 37 miles in length and have a maximum speed limit of 45 miles per hour. The Wisconsin Department of Transportation oversees the Rustic Roads program; however, the roads remain under local government authority. Learn more about_nominating a Rustic Road_by visiting the WisDOT website.

Written with information from a WisDOT news release