Features

  • monarch_caterpillar

    As Monarch's Head North

    Monarchs are on their way north. As milkweed plants begin to grow watch for eggs and caterpillars.

    Report Your Sightings

  • Horicon National Wildlife Refuge Visitor Center

    Horicon Marsh Visitor Centers

    Horicon Marsh has three visitor centers, one federal, one state and one non-profit.

    Three Centers and Friends

  • water bug scooping

    Sense of Wonder Discovery Trail

    Check out the progress of our new visitor center trail and nature play area!

    Sense of Wonder Discovery Trail 2018

Public Use Information

Roads, Trails, & Recreation Facility Updates

The auto tour off Hwy 49 is now OPEN to vehicles. Main Dike Road is currently OPEN TO VEHICLES. Old Marsh Road is open for hiking and bicycling during June, July and August as well as The entire refuge opens Dec 1 through March 15th for hiking, bicycling, snowshoeing and cross country skiing. March 16th - Nov 30, most of the refuge is closed to public access except for established public use areas outlined on the visitor map. *Weather, maintenance, and management practices (pumping water, prescribed fire) may lead to periodic closures of facilities as needed. Please check website or call for updates before your planned visit.

Public Programs and Events

On refuge and marsh-wide.

Horicon Marsh Public Programs and Events Spring and Summer 2019

Birding Information

Spring migration is well underway. Species to look for include: mallards, Canada geese, coots, American white pelicans, Forster's terns, great blue herons, northern shovelers, ruddy ducks and many species of shorebirds.

Waterbird Survey - Horicon NWR

Draft Compatibility Determination

The Horicon National Wildlife Refuge Complex (Green Bay, Gravel Island, Horicon, and Fox River National Wildlife Refuges) is proposing to allow Research, Scientific Collecting and Surveys by Third Parties to occur on the refuges. We are seeking public comment on allowing this use on the refuges. You are invited to review the draft compatibility determination document that includes our justification and analysis. This use has previously been allowed to occur on the refuge and through this process we are expanding opportunities for research, scientific collection, and surveys conducted by non-Service entities to contribute to the enhancement, protection, use, preservation, and management of wildlife populations and their habitats. These uses also help fulfill the mission of the National Wildlife Refuge System and the purposes of the refuge. The document is available May 15th through May 30th. Comments may be provided to David_Bolin@fws.gov or by phone 920-387-2658.

Draft Compatibility Determination Research, Scientific Collecting and Surveys by Third Parties
Location / Hours

Location & Hours

Horicon National Wildlife Refuge Headquarters/Visitor Center W4279 Headquarters Rd. Mayville, WI 53050. Phone: 920-387-2658 Refuge public use areas are open daily from dawn to dusk. Visitor Center - Regular Hours: Monday-Friday, 9:00 am - 4:00 pm. April-November: Monday-Saturday, 9:00 am-4:00 pm (plus Sundays in October). Open July 4,Labor Day and Columbus Day. (Closed all other federal holidays). The visitor center will be open one Saturday per month during the winter months: Jan 12, Feb 9, and Mar 2, 2019. Coot's Corner Bookstore, located within the refuge visitor center is owned and operated by the non-profit Friends of Horicon National Wildlife Refuge. For current hours or more information, please email fohnwr@yahoo.com.

Plan Your Visit

About the Complex

Horicon Leopold Complex

Horicon National Wildlife Refuge is managed as part of the Horicon Leopold Complex.

Read more about the complex
About the NWRS

National Wildlife Refuge System

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The National Wildlife Refuge System, within the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, manages a national network of lands and waters set aside to conserve America's fish, wildlife, and plants.

Learn more about the NWRS
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