Cassville Car Ferry - Crossing the Mississippi River between Wisconsin & Iowa Is A Great River Road Trip
The Cassville Ferry connects the Wisconsin Great River Road and the Iowa Great River Road, two National Scenic Byways.
Cassville, WI, is located along the middle of the Mississippi River’s most extended unbridged stretch, with Marquette and Prairie du Chien just over 35 miles to the north and Dubuque 30 miles to the south. Since 1833, people have been using the oldest operating ferry service between Cassville, WI, and Turkey River, Iowa, for its convenience and fun.
The ferry loads on Prime Street in Cassville, travels upriver for about 1 mile, and unloads near the mouth of the Turkey River. In one direction, travel takes approximately 20 minutes. While there is no town at Turkey River, many river road travelers walk on and ride the Ferry round trip to satisfy nostalgia and for a pleasure ride. The route is popular with farmers, touring bicycles, motorcycle groups and RV Clubs.
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The Great River Road
The Great River Road follows the Mississippi River from Lake Itasca in Minnesota to the Gulf of Mexico. As the Mississippi River travels south to create state lines for ten states, it begins as a trickle at Lake Itasca.
Arkansas, Iowa, Illinois, Kentucky, Louisiana, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Tennessee, and Wisconsin all have their own sections of the byway. Unique in the United States, come along as a great river road visitor; you will experience gorgeous views, see historic buildings, and always have a great time exploring.
(photo credit) Itasca State Park - Mississippi River Headwaters
My Cassville Car Ferry Adventure
Okay, so I’ve passed the sign for the Cassville Car Ferry at least 100 times in my life and always thought, “I want to do this someday.” Well, today is the day, and I am over the top EXCITED!
The early September weather is perfect; the Mississippi River is calm, and so here I go! I have no expectations and know little about the trip except that the Ferry will shuttle me to the Wisconsin side of the Mississippi near Cassville.
Pulling up to the landing at Turkey River (I just learned this was a town long ago), the Ferry was there and loading. The deckman waved me aboard. Handing over my $15 one-way fare, I asked if he would be charging me double for the van. His cheeky response was, “If your tires fit within the lines, that’s good enough for me.” I liked him right away!
I was delighted to learn we wouldn't just cross the Mississippi but travel down the center for about a mile.
The first thing I noticed when I got out and started to explore the deck was we would be going downriver, not straight across the river like I always imagined because Cassville was to the south about a mile.
As I continued to wander, the next surprising discovery was that this vessel is a tug and mini barge (no cables) that makes an inverted jackknife or pivoting movement when docking and steering the barge.
Watch the video here:
Kirsti Out Wandering - Cassville WI Car Ferry
The deck holds only nine cars at a time, but that was fine on my Saturday morning trip. Sharing my 20-minute journey with only two other vehicles, I was happy to explore the deck, get some video footage, listen to the Mississippi River chug by, and talk with the other passengers and the deckhand about their day’s travels.
I learned that this captain works 10 hours a day, seven days a week, for the season. The 78-foot barge transports about 23,000 passengers annually, most of whom use the Ferry to avoid a 65-mile detour on the Great River Road.
The Ferry is operated by the Village of Cassville’s Harbor Commission. As seen on the placard on the pilothouse railing, the ship is named “Charlie D” in honor of Charles H. Dietrich, who worked tirelessly to bring ferry service back to Cassville in the 80s.
This was a real treat and an experience you won’t want to miss. I highly recommend a one-way or round trip to anyone passing by.
A Long, Proud History
There is a long and proud history behind the Cassville Ferry. A sign at the Ferry ramp provides information about its history and reads:
Wisconsin’s Maritime Trails: Historic Cassville Ferry
Cassville’s first Ferry, a 40-foot rowboat, crossed the Mississippi River in 1833. In 1836, the Ferry carried a 23-year-old New Yorker named Nelson Dewey across the river. Dewey was lured to Cassville by its promise as the potential Capital of the Wisconsin Territory. Twelve years later, in 1848, the territory became the new state of Wisconsin, and Dewey became its first governor. By 1858, ex-governor Dewey had moved back to Cassville. He purchased a new ferry powered by two horses walking on treadmills.
In the 1890s, the horse-powered Ferry carried sweet corn, peas and cabbage from Iowa’s fertile farmlands to the cannery of the Klindt Geiger Canning Company in Cassville. The Ferry was modernized with a gasoline engine in 1913. In 1918, a 25-ton, steel-hulled vessel that carried six automobiles replaced the original wooden Ferry. Records show that 1924, the Ferry carried 2,238 automobiles and 17,456 passengers across the Mississippi during its eight-month operational season.
Ferry service in Cassville was interrupted in 1940 when an extensive system of locks and dams was built on the Mississippi. However, memories of Cassville’s Ferry endured among the town’s citizens.
In the 1970s, an unsuccessful effort to build a bridge at Cassville rekindled interest in a ferry line. In 1988, the Cassville Harbor Commission restored a regular ferry route from Cassville to Turkey River, Iowa.
Things To Do On The Wisconsin Side
If you will be off-loading on the Wisconsin side of the Mississippi, Main Street Cassville is a great place to begin your Wisconsin Great River Road adventure. You’ll find many restaurants, shops and welcoming residents.
Travelers can eat at the Solid Ground at the Cassville Cafe or at Moon’s Town Pump, Anker Inn Smokehouse, J&J Sand Bar Lounge & Lanes, and Silver Spigot Saloon, to name a few.
After a visit to Cassville, drive north on Hwy 139 for two miles to explore the Nelson Dewey State Park. Camp, hike or picnic overlooking the area below from a 500-foot bluff, this state park offers some of the best views east of the Mississippi.
The park has a rich history. Named after Wisconsin’s first governor, Nelson Dewey, Stonefield Villiage, located across from the park entrance on Hwy 139, has over 30 historical shops and factories that take you back to Wisconsin’s streets over 100 years ago.
Continue on to Praire Du Chein, WI or make your way south on HWY 133 to the Mississippi River town of Potosi, WI and the famous Potosi Brewing Company. Enjoy great food and a flight of Potosi Beers. They offer live music, creative seasonal events, access to the Great River Road Interpretive Center, and the Potosi Brewing Co. Transportation Museum.
Things To Do On The Iowa Side
If you’ve crossed the Mississippi and are now on the river’s Iowa side, you’re at the Turkey River Boat Landing. It may seem a little desolate, but hey, put your imagination hat on and pretend you are one of the first settlers of Turkey River and that you’ve made it to the promised land.
Speaking of the promised land, before you stake a claim on your homestead, consider wine tasting at the Promised Land Winery, which you will find at the end of 360th Street as you drive from the Cassville Ferry landing area.
North Or South
Your exploring options are abundant now that you’ve arrived in Eastern Iowa. You could travel west to the Pacific Coast or keep heading north on the Great River Road and along the Historic Main Street through the Guttenberg, IA river town.
Make time to enjoy coffee and ice cream at Sodes Perk Central Coffee House & Cafe while you are in Guttenberg. It’s a fun way to get out and stretch your legs, do a little sightseeing and maybe even visit Lockmaster House Museum and Aquarium, where you can see fish found right along this part of the Mississippi.
Next Stop Along The Iowa Great River Road
Continue north up the Great River Road to Pikes Peak State Park, known for its magnificent Mississippi River views. In addition to 11 miles of trails, the park offers a beautifully constructed scenic overlook with the best views of the Mississippi River valley along the national scenic byway. This park is a hiking paradise and one of Iowa’s most picturesque regions.
A must-do is to walk the half-mile path to see Bridal Veil Falls. Next, hike to Point Ann overlooking McGregor, Iowa, where the Mississippi and Wisconsin rivers meet.
Drive north a little further through McGregor and Marquette, IA, along the Great River Road To Effigy Mounds National Monument. This picturesque Upper Mississippi River Valley region has over 200 American Indian mounds. Many Americans consider these mounds sacred, as they are preserved here in a magical place.
You will learn about the mounds and their builders here when you visit the Monument’s 20 American Indian tribes.
Traveling South On The Great River Road
If, after leaving the Cassville Car Ferry, you choose to drive south, you will witness many beautiful vistas high atop the Mississippi River along the bluffs.
Stop in Balltown, IA, at the Balltown Scenic Overlook and Breitbach’s Country Dining and Wine Shed, Iowa’s oldest food and drinking establishment. Winding through Sherrill and Sageville before arriving in Dubuque, IA, and many opportunities to explore the rich history built along the Mississippi River.
Arrive In Dubuque, IA
The National Mississippi River Museum at the Port of Dubuque offers a place to explore something new and old with featured exhibits, animals, events, 4D movies and hands-on activities.
Visit US Lock and Dam No. 11, featuring an observation deck, a picnic area & restrooms, plus seasonal tours. You may even see Bald Eagles soaring above the churning waters of the Mississippi south of the dam.
And if the Ol’ Mississippi is callin’ your name, you could also head back onto the water on a local favorite river cruise, the American Lady, where they offer cruises for all occasions and age groups.
For fall apples and goodies, you could easily make a weekend of this trip by heading north to La Crosse, WI or Gays Mills. Cross at Dubuque or Praire Du Chein during day-tripping and complete the full circle of Great River Road fun at Cassville, WI and Turkey River, IA. Bonus points if you make a circle 8, taking the Cassville Car Ferry back to where you started.
Ferry Ride To The Other Side
There is no better way to cross the Mississippi River than by the Cassville Car Ferry. As you enjoy a ride to the other side, discover the natural beauty, tranquility, and peacefulness of days gone by.
Take time to get out and walk along the streets of historic river towns and into the businesses in the small towns along your way.
Free Parking at Riverside Park – Cassville, WI 53806
Information: 608-725-5180
May: Friday-Sunday: 10 am-8 pm, Memorial Day-Labor Day: Daily: 10 am-8 pm, After Labor Day: Friday-Sunday: 10 am-8 pm. Last trip from Cassville: 7:20 pm, Last from Iowa: 7:40 pm. River conditions permitting.
There is a one-way fee of $2 for walk-on passengers, $15 for cars, and $50 for semi-trailers.
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Cheers to your next adventure!
I’m Kirsti, and I want to help you find new places to explore.
My blog, Along The Way, offers practical tips for getting out there and exploring – whether through travel, volunteering, or simply taking a different route on your daily commute.
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