Gas Tank Getaways: Canoe, Bike and Hike Horicon Marsh

Horicon Marsh—the largest freshwater cattail marsh in the country—is the main attraction for the animals and birds you will find at this national refuge and state wildlife area. The marsh makes up 33,000 acres of the refuge, and is home or a migration rest stop for ducks, geese and other birds.
Wildlife observation opportunities make activities like photography, hiking, bicycling incredibly popular around the marsh. For those who can’t get out of the car to walk around, there is a 3-mile paved driving route open during warmer months.

Where: The marsh, and the federal and state wildlife refuges that surround it, is located just outside Waupun.

The United States Fish and Wildlife Service manages the 22,000 acre Horicon National Wildlife Refuge. The visitor center is on the east side of the marsh, located on County Road Z about 3 ½ miles south of State Highway 49. County Z is not marked on many state maps. There are directional signs on U.S. Highway 151, State Highway 49 and other nearby roads. Find the main building at W4279 Headquarters Road, Mayville, WI

The southern third of the marsh—the Horicon Marsh State Wildlife Area—is managed by the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources. Highway 28 is off State Highway 67, on the southwest side of the marsh. Head west on Highway 28 to get to the Service Center, and continue on Palmatory Street to get to the Field Office, N7728 Highway 28. 

The International Education Center, which has a variety of educational displays and spectacular views of the marsh, is at N7725 Highway 28.

When: The refuges are open year-round, dawn to dusk.  

How much: There are no entry fees for either the state or federal sides of the marsh.

Special Treat: Rent a canoe in the City of Horicon (or bring your own) and paddle through the marsh along the Horicon Marsh Canoe Trail. Canoeing gives you a chance to be on the water, and maybe get an up close view of the birds, plants and fish in the marsh. Be aware of closed areas and the electrical fish barriers at the dams, and please don’t disturb nesting birds.
To rent a canoe or arrange for a shuttle, call Blue Heron Landing in Horicon at (920) 485-4663.

Phone: Federal: 920-387-2658; State: 920-387-7860

Websites:

Horicon National Wildlife Refuge
Friends of the Horicon National Wildlife Refuge
Horicon Marsh State Wildlife Area
Friends of Horicon Marsh

More info:
The chair of the UWM Film Department, Rob Yeo, has made a documentary about the birds at the Horicon National Wildlife Refuge. Read about the film in this UWM Research Profile from 2003. The film was shown at the 2011 Cannes Film Festival.
The Woodland Fern blog has several photo-heavy posts featuring pictures of the marsh’s wildlife. Check them out here and here.