Buffalo County is located within the unglaciated, Driftless Area of Western Wisconsin. Pepin and Eau Claire Counties form the northern border of the county, while Trempealeau County forms the eastern border. Three rivers also border the county; the Chippewa on the west, the Mississippi on the south and east and the Trempealeau on the lower eastern border. All of Buffalo County drains into the Mississippi River.

As the northernmost section of the 4-state Driftless Region, the non-glaciated lands of Buffalo County offer 500-foot bluffs along the Upper Mississippi River valley, high ridges, winding valleys, prairies, oak savannas, river bottoms and an abundance of Wisconsin’s protected Natural Areas. The Upper Mississippi National Wildlife & Fish Refuge and the Trempealeau national Wildlife Refuge protect the Mississippi River wetlands, Views from Buena Vista in Alma and Elmer’s Auto & Toy Museum in Fountain City are the highest points overlooking the Mississippi River valley.

Century farms from the 1850s, when agriculture first came to Buffalo County, dot the countryside, Organic and CSA farming can be found in the county as well as the newest range, pizza farms. Buffalo County boasts four pizza farms, with Suncrest Gardens Farm, the original. Two wineries, Seven Hawks in Fountain City, and Danzinger, in Alma, are part of the wine renaissance in Buffalo County – growing their own grapes and making their own wines. They’re an important part of the local viticulture, producing award winning wines and offering beautiful tasting rooms.
Fountain City was the first settlement in Buffalo County in 1839, followed by Alma, Wisconsin in 1848. Today, most of the City of Alma is a National Historic District but both communities are beautiful historic river towns.
Since the 1860s, when Gerhard Gesell opened his photography & art studio, Buffalo County has attracted artists. Today there is a thriving art community where you’ll find unique, one-of-a-kind items inspired by Buffalo County’s natural surroundings.

Make sure you take to Buffalo County’s 470 miles of paved county & state roads for enjoyable backroad driving. Just get lost in the beauty or try Mondovi to Waumandee Valley and on to Fountain City & the Mississippi River for a cross-country drive. You’ll wind your way through breathtaking scenery and rural farms. Discover a place that remains mostly untouched by modern development. Need proof? There’s only one stop light in the county to let the folks from Minnesota into Wisconsin for a getaway!

Are you a birder? The entire western coast of Buffalo County boarders the Mississippi River and the Mississippi Flyway. More than 350 bird species migrate in the spring and fall along the Flyway. Numerous Bald Eagle nests can be seen on the river and Alma, Wisconsin is known as a birding “hot spot”, just being names as a Wisconsin Bird City.
Art, antiques, shopping, locally-grown food, live music, nature, festivals and fun await you in Buffalo County. Thanks for coming and enjoy your stay!