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Phone: 608-565-2551
V/TTY: 800-947-3529
Address:
N11385 Headquarters Road
Necedah, WI 54646
Visitor Center Hours:
6 days a week, 7:30am - 4:00pm, Closed Sundays.
Closed December 24-26, 31 and January 1-2, 2012 to observe federal holidays.
Visitor Center trails and the refuge are open sunrise to sunset.
After-hours bathrooms are available on the southwest end of the visitor center.
Visit Us on
 
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Getting Around
On Trails
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There are five foot trails on the refuge: Visitor Center Boardwalks, Observation Tower Trail, Boghaunter Trail, and Lupine Loop. All trails are over one mile in length and provide visitors a chance to observe whooping cranes, Karner blue butterflies, or wildflowers. Parking lots are not plowed during the winter, however the trails are open to snowshoeing and cross country skiing.
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Visitor Center Boardwalk
Hike one of the two new boardwalk loops that take visitors through a mosaic of habitats on the refuge. Walk above the water of the wetlands, through the prairies and savannas before returning to the visitor center. Trailheads are located adjacent to the new Visitor Center and are wheelchair accessible.
Observation Tower Trail
The view from the tower is the highlight of the refuge and one of the best places to see whooping cranes. Constructed of gravel, mulch, and mowed grass the Observation Tower Trail is .8-miles long and includes a spur leading to an observation tower overlooking Rynearson Pool. A spotting scope on the tower enhances wildlife viewing. View the Observation Tower Trail brochure.
Boghaunter Trails
The trail system consists of two loops: the Meadow Beauty Loop covers .6 miles and offers mostly level sections of mowed trail and boardwalk and the Tamarack Loop offers a bit more challenge with 3.6 miles of mowed trail for exploration with some hills. Be on the lookout for wildflowers, cactus, and grassland birds hidden along the trails. View the Boghaunter Trails brochure.
Lupine Loop
Walkers can amble through a rare savanna ecosystem on this .8-mile long trail. It is named for the wild lupine plant that the Karner blue butterfly larva eat. This trail is a favorite not only to see this endangered species but other butterfly species. View the Lupine Loop Trail brochure.
Grand Dyke Road Cross Country Ski Trail
This trail is located across the street from the refuge employee entrance off of Grand Dyke Road. Although this 2.3 mile long trail is not groomed, it offers opportunities to ski among white and red pine, hilly terrain, and savanna.
**Snowshoes are also available to check out during Visitor Center hours to use on the hiking trails during winter months. Contact the Visitor Center for availability. |
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On Roads
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All township or public roads on the refuge are gravel with the exception of Sprague-Mather Road (9th Avenue), which bisects the refuge, running east and west (see map).
Gated service roads are for habitat management.
Restrooms are only available when Visitor Center is open 7:30am to 4:00pm Monday through Saturday. A rest area located on Highway 80 south of the town of Sprague has restroom facilities that are open seasonally.
The township roads that run within the refuge boundaries are open at all times. These roads are open to horseback, ATV (designated routes only), and bicycle riding, walking and jogging.
Please pay attention to driving conditions and seasonal activities when planning your visit and entering the refuge. |
Auto Touring Route
Oak savanna, wetlands, sedge meadows, grasslands, and oak/pine woodlands are the types of habitats you will see during your self-guided tour of the refuge. Using the Auto Tour Brochure and the Hot Spots Brochure visit the walking trails and interpretive signs located within the refuge. The Auto Tour and Hot Spots brochures are also available in most refuge information boxes and at the Visitor Center.
Common wildlife to see on the drive includes trumpeter swans, sandhill and whooping cranes, eagles, hawks, owls, ducks, deer, porcupine, and small mammals. The vegetation on the northern part of the refuge changes from pines and birch to oaks and maples on the southern end of the refuge.
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