Recreational Opportunities
Visitors enjoy many activities at Horicon refuge including wildlife observation; photography; hiking; fishing; educational programs; guided tours; bicycling; snowshoeing; cross country skiing; and deer and upland game hunting.
Refuge Trail Maps (485 KB, pdf)
Horicon Marsh Bike and Auto Route Map (Tour de Marsh) (2MB, pdf)
Horicon Marsh Visitor Map (2 MB, pdf)
Egret Trail Boardwalk on Horicon Refuge/USFWS
Public Use Areas
- Horicon "TernPike" Auto Tour and Hiking Trails - located on State Highway 49, just east of the city of Waupun. Open daily year-round, conditions permitting. Paved driving route (3 miles) and three hiking trails along with a floating boardwalk and bicycling and hiking access to the Wild Goose State Trail. Closed to hunting except during the deer gun season (Nov 19-27) as well as the Dec antlerless gun hunt (Dec 8-11) - auto tour route is closed to vehicles during this timeframe and hikers are required to wear blaze orange.
- Highway 49 Wildlife Viewing Area - located on State Highway 49 just west of County Road Z. Open daily year-round. Hiking trail (1/4 mile) with observation area. Closed to all hunting.
- Old Marsh Road - Accessed from Point Rd or auto tour. Only open seasonally (June through August and special Earth Day opening in April) for hiking and bicycling to minimize disturbance to migratory birds. Adjacent dikes are closed. Photo blind located on east end of the road and reservable year-round. Contact the refuge office for reservation information.
- Bud Cook Hiking Area - located off Point Rd. Two hiking trails and observation area. Open daily year-round. Closed to all hunting.
- Rockvale Road Viewing Point - Rockvale Rd. Observation platform with spotting scope.
- Main Dike Road - Open daily year-round conditions permitting. Vehicles can drive eastern portion (two-level gravel). Entire road is open for hiking and bicycling year-round. Access is limited to the road only - adjacent dikes are closed. Parking located near fishing platform. Please use pull-offs for wildlife viewing/photography.
- Peachy Road, Ledge Road, and Main Dike Road - Designated locations for bank fishing/piers. Opportunities for perch, pike, bullhead, and other game species.
- The Horicon Refuge Visitor Center is located on County Road Z, 3.5 miles south of State Highway 49 on the east side of the marsh and has many educational exhibits and the Coot's Corner bookstore.
Office/Visitor Center - open Monday through Friday from 7:30 am - 4:00 pm year-round (with the exception of federal holidays) and on weekends during the fall - Saturdays and Sundays from Sept 10 - November 6, 11:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Refuge Regulations
- Refuge is open during daylight hours only
- Dogs are welcome but must be leashed (except for upland game hunting)
- Access for wildlife observation/photography/hiking is limited to public use areas (Dec 1 - Mar 15 the entire refuge is open to hiking/snowshoeing/cross country skiing)
- Fishing is limited to designated bank fishing areas (Dec 1- Mar 15 the entire refuge is open to ice fishing - no motorized vehicles allowed for access).
- NOT PERMITTED on the refuge: boats, canoes, kayaks, or other floatable devices; ATV's and snowmobiles; collection of plants, berries, seeds, mushrooms, antlers or other artifacts; fireworks; camping; campfires; overnight parking; geocaches
Fees/Recreation Passes
There are no entry fees for the refuge. America the Beautiful Recreation Passes (Senior, Access, Annual) as well as Federal and Junior Duck Stamps are available for purchase at the visitor center.
Other Visitor Information
- Binoculars and field guides are available for loan at the refuge visitor center.
- Please note that there are three visitor centers at Horicon Marsh including the privately owned non-profit Marsh Haven Nature Center.
- Lodging, camping, dining and other local recreation and events information may be found at Dodge County Tourism.
Education
Environmental education programs are available for on-site field trips and off-site classroom presentations. Programs are aligned with state standards. (Pre-school - 12th grade).
Educational programs are also available for organized groups, including on-site programs and off-site presentations and step-on bus tours. (Pre-school - Adult).
Additional resources such as educational trunks and other materials are available for loan to teachers and group leaders. Service learning opportunities such as removal of invasive species or prairie seed collection may also be available depending upon season and need.
Reservations and appointments are required. Reservations may only be made for the current calendar year and are first-come, first served so schedule early. Please contact Erin Railsback, Visitor Services Manager, at (920) 387-2658 ext. 24 or email erin_railsback@fws.gov.
Information you will need when making a reservation:
- Name of group/organization
- Preferred date and timeframe (morning or afternoon)
- Number of youth (age/grade) and or number of adults
- Name/phone/e-mail of group contact person
- Any special needs
- Topics you would like to cover
|
