What to do on a weekend getaway to Dodge County this fall - Dodge County, WI

Take a quick weekend getaway to Dodge County in central Wisconsin and enjoy the outdoors this fall—you’ll find great birdwatching at Horicon Marsh, scenic paddling on the Rock River, and amenity-filled parks throughout the county.

Here are a few suggestions on what to see and do.

Day 1

Start your fall adventure in Dodge County with a trip to the Horicon Marsh in the northern part of the county for a little birdwatching. Spanning 33,000 acres, the Horicon Marsh is recognized as a State and Globally Important Bird Area, and fall is a great time to see thousands of migratory waterfowl and shorebirds. More than 300 species of birds have been sighted here throughout the years, including some of Wisconsin’s rarest birds.

The marsh consists of two units—the southern portion is the Horicon Marsh State Wildlife Area, overseen by the state of Wisconsin, and the northern portion is the federal Horicon National Wildlife Refuge—and offers lots of other great options for exploration, including hiking trails, biking routes, paddling routes, and auto tours.

After spending the morning (or the day) at the marsh, be sure to check out the restaurants in the communities of Horicon, Juneau, Mayville, or Hustisford. If you’re still looking for a little outdoor adventure, head to River Bend Park in Horicon, which is located on the Rock River and is home to ballfields, tennis courts, a boat launch, and a disc-golf course.

Once the day is done, find a comfortable and welcoming lodging property or campground in Juneau, Hustisford, Horicon, or Mayville.

Day 2

Fall is a great time to get out on the water in Dodge County, and canoers and kayakers will find a scenic, serene route along the Rock River Water Trail, which stretches through the middle of the county and passes through the communities of Wapun, Mayville, Horicon (including the Horicon Marsh), Hustisford, and Watertown. There are three main sections of the trail, and each offer great paddling through some of Dodge County’s best scenery.

Other good spots for a fall paddling trip include Derge Park, located on the shores of Beaver Dam Lake in northwestern Dodge County, and the Danville Mill Pond at Astico Park in Columbus.

If you’d rather explore Dodge County on two wheels (or still have some extra energy after all that paddling), hit up the Glacial River Bike Trail, part of which connects Watertown and Juneau, where it connects to the Wild Goose State Trail. The route includes on- and off-road sections and features lots of great places to stop along the way, including restaurants and ice cream stands.