During winter and early spring before the trees leaf out, the 80-foot high bluffs along the river offer striking views of the Middle Fork valley. On sunny days the white bark of hundreds of sycamores outline the riverbank against the darker trees and fields. The extensive network of hiking trails is always open. Ice skating and ice fishing are popular in Kickapoo State Park.

Cross-country skiing is popular along the relatively flat trails that follow the bluff top or wind through bottomland forests. For the hardiest experts, there are steeper trails connecting the upland forests with bottomland fields. All are accessible from parking areas in Kickapoo and Kennekuk Parks, and in the Fish & Wildlife area.