Prairie Stargazing Walk - Tunnelville Cliffs SNA

REGISTRATION WILL BE OPENING MID-SEPTEMBER!

We hope you will join us for our Prairie Stargazing Walk at Tunnelville Cliffs State Natural Area in Vernon County on Saturday, October 11th at 7 p.m. This year’s guided walk offers a chance to explore the autumn sky—planets, stars, and distant galaxies—while also tuning in to the sounds of nighttime life on the prairie. The walk is part of Mississippi Valley Conservancy’s 2025 Linked to the Land outdoor learning series, sponsored by Olson Solar Energy with support from WXOW / News 19.

Leading the way will be Susan Cushing and John Heasley. Susan is a Master Naturalist, experienced Environmental Educator with Kickapoo Valley Reserve, and Secretary of the Kickapoo Valley Dark Sky Initiative. She will lead a discussion about the prairie at Tunnelville and share updates about preserving the night. John is the founder of Driftless Stargazing and will guide participants in observing the night sky with tips for how to find things with the naked eye or a simple pair of binoculars.  

The meet-up for this event is at the corner of Husker Hollow Road and Tunnelville Road, just a couple of miles west of La Farge. ANY UPDATES OR CANCELATIONS WILL SENT BY EMAIL THE DAY BEFORE OR OF THE EVENT. I am attaching the map, but see below where the red arrow is located at Point of Interest 1...that is where we will meet.

DIRECTIONS: From La Crosse take 14/61 east to Westby, in Westby turn left onto 27 for .5 miles then turn right onto Cty Rd P. Follow P until you reach County Rd D (take a right onto D). Follow D until you reach 82 and turn right on 82, take your first left onto Husker Hollow Rd and follow until you reach Tunnelville Rd.  

Below you will find details about the upcoming event so you can plan your evening. If you sign up and then are unable to attend, please send an email to let me know. If there is inclement weather, please watch your email the day before the event and before you leave for the event for any notice of cancellation.

PRAIRIE STARGAZING WALK DETAILS:

6:45    Arrive at Tunnelville, park all on one side of the road, and join us at the entrance

7:00    Introduction to Mississippi Valley Conservancy

7:10   Split into two groups, half start with a prairie walk and talk with Susan Cushing, and half start with stargazing and discussion about the Dark Skies Initiative with John Heasley

8:00    Swap groups

9:00    Program ends...participants are welcome to stay and enjoy the night sky, however camping is not allowed at Tunnelville

Things for guests to bring (all optional):

• Blanket

• Binoculars (we will bring some extras along, too)

• Bug spray

Other:

There are no restrooms on site. Please plan to stop for your bathroom needs prior to the event.

We look forward to an evening of coming together to celebrate the beauty of this protected property and the night skies. Even if it is cloudy, it will be a beautiful and informative hike!

The Prairie Stargazing Walk is part of the Conservancy’s 2025 Linked to the Land series of outdoor learning experiences in Wisconsin’s Driftless Area, sponsored by Olson Solar Energy with support from WXOW/ News 19.

(Starry evening skies at Tunnelville captured by John Rummel)