Trails

Headquarters Hiking Trail - About 1.5 miles of trails encircles the island around the headquarters building. The trails wind through forests of bur oak, basswood, and green ash, past wetlands, a restored prairie, and follow the lake shore. You'll have a chance to see a variety of songbirds, waterfowl, and perhaps spy a white-tailed deer. The boardwalk and a portion Wood Duck Way are accessible for all visitors. The Ed Fromelt Memorial Fund was used to develop trail signs, maps, and interpretive pamphlets.

Observation Tower - Built by the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) in the 1930s, this 110-foot tower offers stunning views of Refuge lakes and the surrounding area.

Spring Lake Overlook Trail - This short trail to the overlook offers a panorama of four different habitats. Prairie wildflowers paint the trail sides with a constantly changing palette of colors.

Trail Length (mi)
0.52

Bur Oak Boulevard Trail

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Trail Length (mi)
0.36

Ed Fromelt Memorial Boardwalk

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Trail Length (mi)
0.18

Pearly-eye Path Trail

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Trail Length (mi)
0.11

Spring Lake Overlook Trail

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Trail Length (mi)
0.07

Whitetail Way Trail

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Trail Length (mi)
0.08

Wood Duck Way Trail

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