Horicon Marsh State Wildlife Area

Horicon Marsh is a 33,000-acre wetland carved out by a continental glacier thousands of years ago. Horicon Marsh was historically destroyed by settlers who dammed and dredged the marsh and later drained it for farming. However, after decades of hard restoration work pioneered by local conservationists, the marsh was designated as a Wetland of International Importance in the 1990s. Visitors to Horicon Marsh State Wildlife Area can see this storied past firsthand by touring the interactive displays in the Explorium in the Horicon Marsh Education & Visitor Center.

Horicon Marsh is co-managed by the Wisconsin DNR (Horicon Marsh State Wildlife Area) and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Horicon National Wildlife Refuge). Management of the wetland is principally directed toward enhancing habitat for migratory waterfowl and waterbirds. During spring and fall, hundreds of thousands of ducks, including mallards, green-winged teal, northern pintails, and gadwalls, along with tens of thousands of Canada geese and sandhill cranes, migrate through Horicon Marsh. This seasonal abundance of waterfowl provides great opportunities for wildlife viewing and hunting.

Horicon Marsh is also open to hiking, paddling, foraging for wild edibles, and more. There are designated hiking trails through forest, prairie and wetland habitats, which provide scenic views and wildlife viewing throughout the year. Among these are a storybook trail and a wetland boardwalk where Canada geese, wood ducks, marsh wrens, painted turtles and other wildlife are commonly in close view from spring to fall. Dogs must be leashed while walking trails.

A six-mile-long paddle trail along the Rock River goes through the core of the marsh and often provides views of bald eagles, great blue herons, and state-endangered black terns. Scenic overlooks and the viewing room in the Horicon Marsh Education & Visitor Center offer great places to see the marsh and wildlife in every season.