GUIDED Archaeology
Adventures
Extreme Driftless’s archaeology tours, combine the best of both worlds of exploring the Driftless Area. Embark on remote outdoor adventure hikes while immersing yourself in the more than 12,000 years of ancient Native American history in southwest Wisconsin.
Join our team of expert wilderness guides and archaeological historians to explore the hidden recesses and sacred Native American places of Driftless history.
Rock Art Tours
For thousands of years the ancient Native Americans of the Driftless Area have etched and painted their history, spiritual beliefs, and stories in stone on the cave walls and rock ledges of the beautiful sandstone bluffs of the area.
Join our expert guides on hikes to these remote and hidden sites throughout southwestern Wisconsin. Explore and photograph ancient symbols of shamanism, the spirit world, fertility, and the vision quest that are still part of Wisconsin’s Indigenous peoples’ culture today.
Each of our rock art tours are led by nationally-recognized archaeological scholars and regional experts who will explain what these symbols seem to tell us of the ancient past and the world view of the ancient Native Americans of the Driftless Area. Rock art galleries are ancient sacred spaces, often hidden in the caves and cliffs of the Driftless Area that are difficult to reach and access.
Let Extreme Driftless guide you to these magical and hidden treasures of our region! Combine your love of history with a rigorous outdoor adventure hike or with a leisurely stroll through the woodlands and forests.
Effigy Mound Tours
Situated on the remote bluff tops and ridge-crests of the Driftless Area is an ancient 1,000 old spiritual Native American landscape. The Effigy Mound Culture, ancient ancestors of today’s Wisconsin tribes, buried their dead in ornate earthen mounds shaped like the animals of their world both physical and spiritual.
Complex mound groups of Eagles, Bears, Deer, Foxes and Wolves- Perhaps representing the totem clans of these ancient people walk hand-in-hand over the sacred landscape with depictions of Thunderbirds, Water Panthers and Shaman-heroes of ancient tales.
Join our expert guides on hikes to these remote and hidden sites throughout southwestern Wisconsin. Explore, photograph, and ponder this ancient spirit world formed by the millennia old burial grounds designed to be seen only by the Thunderers, the spirit-protectors of ancient Native American cultures from the sky-world.
Each of our Effigy Mound tours are led by nationally recognized archaeological scholars and regional experts who will explain what we know of the Effigy Mound Culture from archaeological digs and Native American oral history. Learn what these mounds and their alignments seem to tell us of the ancient past and the world view of the ancient Native Americans of the Driftless Area. Mound groups exist at the “top of the world” on the bluffs and Coulee tops the Driftless Area that are difficult to reach and access.
Let Extreme Driftless guide you to these ancient historic and sacred spots of our region! Combine your love of history with a rigorous outdoor adventure hike to the epic blufftop vistas of the Driftless peaks…or with a leisurely 5-minute stroll from your car through the fall colored woodlands and forests. It’s up to you at Extreme Driftless tours!
Adventure Package Pricing
• Pro guided tour custom to your activity level and interests
• Archaeological references and literature provided
• $100 per additional participants or child under 14
Half Day Driftless
ArCHAEOLOGY Tours
$295
1-2 Adults, Per Person
Full Day Driftless
Archaeology Tours
• Pro guided tour custom to your activity level and interests
• Complimentary secluded primitive camping
• Archaeological references and literature provided
• $100 per additional participants or child under 14
$495
1-2 Adults, Per Person
CAMPING & LODGING OPTIONS
Complimentary primitive camping is included with each full and multi-day archaeology tour. Should you desire other accommodations, we're happy to assist in finding/booking your stay with one of our preferred accommodation options. Visit our Camping & Lodging page to learn more.