Bathtub Spring

## Overview Bathtub Spring is a charming roadside spring located just outside the small community of Rising Sun in Crawford County, Wisconsin. The spring flows naturally from a hillside at a reported rate of approximately 100 gallons per hour, channeled through a stainless steel pipe into a classic old cast-iron bathtub — giving the spring its memorable name. Situated along County Road C near Soldiers Grove, this public drinking spring has long been a convenient stop for locals and travelers looking to fill up with fresh spring water. Visitors have reported that the water tastes clean and flows steadily, making it easy to fill containers — roughly 20 gallons in about 10 minutes. The Driftless Area of southwestern Wisconsin, where Bathtub Spring is found, is renowned for its numerous natural springs. This unglaciated region features deeply carved valleys and porous limestone and sandstone bedrock, which filters rainwater and snowmelt before it emerges as cold, clear spring water. Bathtub Spring is one of many such springs that dot the hillsides of Crawford County, a testament to the area's unique geology. ## Directions 1. From **Soldiers Grove**, head east on **US Highway 14** toward Viroqua, passing through the communities of Sterling and Liberty Pole. 2. Continue left (north) onto **WI Highway 27** and follow it until **Highway 82** splits off. 3. Stay on **County Road C** and continue for approximately **2 miles**, passing through the small community of **Rising Sun**. 4. Just past Rising Sun, look for the intersection of **McManus Road and County Road C** — the spring is located right at this junction on the roadside. 5. Simply pull over along the shoulder. The cast-iron bathtub and stainless steel pipe are visible from the road. **GPS Coordinates:** 43.38984, -90.88616 ## What to Expect Bathtub Spring is an easy, no-hike-required stop — you can pull your vehicle right up to it along County Road C. The spring emerges from the hillside and is piped through a stainless steel spout into a large, old cast-iron bathtub that serves as a catch basin. The setup is simple and rustic, blending naturally into the scenic Driftless Area landscape of rolling hills and wooded valleys. The flow rate has been reported at around 100 gallons per hour, which provides a steady, reliable stream. Visitors commonly bring jugs and containers to fill up, and the flow is strong enough to make the process quick and convenient. The surrounding area along County Road C is rural and quiet, with pastoral farmland and forested hillsides typical of Crawford County. There are no facilities at the spring — no restrooms, parking lot, or signage beyond the unmistakable bathtub itself. The spring is accessible year-round, though winter conditions on rural roads in this part of Wisconsin can be challenging. The water has historically been used as a drinking water source by area residents and passersby, though as with any natural spring, water quality can vary with seasonal conditions.