Coronavirus (COVID-19) Notice
Although most refuge lands and outdoor spaces have remained open for the public to enjoy, we encourage you to:

  • Check local conditions on this website and call ahead for current information
  • Follow current CDC safe practices by maintaining a safe distance between yourself and other groups
  • Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds
  • Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth
  • Cover your mouth and nose when you cough or sneeze
  • Most importantly, stay home if you feel sick


Features

  • American woodcock by Peter Rea.

    New Hunting Opportunities

    The Horicon National Wildlife Refuge is expanding their hunt program.

    Learn more.

  • Banking on Nature Horicon

    Banking on Nature Report

    Learn how the refuge brings money and jobs into your local community!

    Learn more

  • Mexico Monarchs AnnMarie Krmpotich/USFWS

    Monarchs On the Move

    Our monarchs are migrating to their wintering grounds in Mexico.

    Track their progress.

  • 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

Facilities Updates

Entire Refuge is open from Dec 1 through Mar 15, 2021 for winter access for hiking, bicycling, snowshoeing and cross country skiing. Visitor Center: currently closed to the public. Discovery Trail open for hiking and porta potty available. Main Dike Rd: currently closed to vehicles for winter but open to bicycling and hiking. Old Marsh Rd: currently open to hiking and bicycling. Auto tour off Hwy 49 is currently closed to vehicles for winter but the trails remain open to the public, pit toilets available. Refuge remains open for fishing at bank fishing locations (Main Dike Road, Ledge Road, and Peachy Road). See maps for more information. Please remember to practice social distancing and avoid trails and parking areas that may be experiencing higher visitor use. Stay local, stay safe and enjoy! For more information email horicon@fws.gov or call 920-387-2658.

Refuge Map

Public Programs and Events

On refuge and marsh-wide. *PLEASE NOTE THAT DUE TO THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC ALL PROGRAMS AND EVENTS HAVE BEEN CANCELLED OR POSTPONED.

Birding Information

12/2/2020 This is week eleven of waterbird surveys at the refuge for the fall migration. This will be the last fall migration survey update for 2020. The marsh was frozen on this week’s survey with ice thickness between 2-3 inches. Despite having mild 40+ degree days, night temperatures in the 20’s continues to build ice leaving very little open water on the marsh. Large groups of Canada geese and mallards are keeping several tiny areas of water open. Canada goose numbers decreased from 2 weeks ago - about 10,000 were counted on the refuge this week. Dabbling ducks numbers decreased from 2 weeks ago. Over 10,000 mallards were counted this week on the survey. Several hundred American black ducks were counted mixed in with the mallard flocks. No diving duck were seen on this week’s survey. Other sightings to note: •Sandhill cranes. Come out to the marsh at sunrise. Hundreds of sandhill cranes can be seen flying out to feed in farm fields – especially along the east side of the marsh. They will likely be here in numbers until we have snow preventing easy feeding in upland fields. •Swans – Almost 100 tundra swans were nestled in with the Canada geese as they rested on the ice. •Watch for American black ducks mixed in with the large mallard flocks. The best waterfowl viewing was along Hwy 49 (south side) where large flocks of Canada geese, mallards and swans were loafing on the ice. Large flocks of mallards in the thousands were seen at the dead end of Ledge Road (the west section of road that enters the marsh). Look northeast from the parking area. This is where the Rock River enters the marsh. Birds congregate there because it usually has the last open water areas.

Horicon NWR Fall 2020 Migration Report
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 11, Feb 8, and Mar 7, 2020. 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.

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