The (Rustic) Road Less Traveled

There are many reasons to love the fall season, but the most visible one is the breathtaking fall colors. For these few weeks before winter settles in, the drive to your destination almost becomes a destination itself, thanks to the brilliant scarlet, gold, and purple splashed across the hillsides and canopying the roadways.

New England is perhaps the most famous region for its leaf-peeping views, but if you don’t have the time or inclination to travel there, and if you happen to visit or live in Wisconsin (which is where our corporate headquarters and four of our other offices are), our “peak color” is just as glorious as anything you’ll see on the East Coast.

And if you go a little farther off the main highways, you’ll be rewarded with some of Wisconsin’s most stunning roads – with virtually no traffic.

The Rustic Roads program was established in 1973 to help preserve the state’s scenic but lightly traveled roads. According to the Wisconsin Department of Transportation, a road qualifying for the program may be dirt, gravel, or paved, and should:

• “have outstanding natural features along its borders such as rugged terrain, native vegetation, native wildlife, or include open areas with agricultural vistas which singly or in combination uniquely set this road apart from other roads.
• “be a lightly traveled local access road, one which serves the adjacent property owners and those wishing to travel by auto, bicycle, or hiking for purposes of recreational enjoyment of its rustic features.
• “be one not scheduled nor anticipated for major improvements which would change its rustic characteristics.
• “have, preferably, a minimum length of 2 miles and, where feasible, should provide a completed closure or loop, or connect to major highways at both ends of the route.”

You can find maps of these rustic roads here, and even enter the photo contest that the DOT is running through December. Know of a beautiful road that isn’t on this list? Nominate it!
September 30 through October 6 was recently designated as Rustic Roads Week in Wisconsin, in recognition of our scenic roadways. Roll down your windows to let in that crisp fall air, and enjoy your drive!