The Highground in Neillsville is a moving start to a journey of discovery through Clark County: The veterans memorial park is free and open to the public 24 hours a day, year-round. Its tributes honor veterans of World War I, World War II, the Korean War, the Vietnam War and the Persian Gulf War. The grounds also include four miles of hiking trails. Here, remembrance and outdoor recreation come together.

Hiking Trails and Distinctive Rock Formations

The Levis/Trow Mound Recreational Area offers a different scale, with more than 41 miles of trails winding through the Clark County Forest. Sandstone cliffs and mounds define the area. A shorter option is the 1.5-mile self-guided nature trail, which features 15 stations. The different lengths and formats help you choose the kind of trail that suits your interests: a compact interpretive trail or an extensive trail network.

Wildcat Mound also combines hiking with expansive scenic views. Sandstone cliffs and steep bluffs are close to the trailhead in Wildcat Mound Park. The rock formations are not only part of the landscape but also give this hiking area a distinctive geological character.

History in Buildings and Collections

The historic sites tell different stories of everyday life. Built in 1897, the Clark County Jail Museum was added to the National Register and the Wisconsin State Register of Historic Places in 1978. The museum includes a two-story Victorian residence where sheriffs and their families lived during their respective terms in office. Reed School, meanwhile, was built in 1915 and served as a one-room country school until 1951. Its glimpse into rural life focuses on 1939.

Railroad and technology history are also represented: The Rural Arts Museum houses the original Colby Train Depot, built in 1872. The Telephone Heritage Room at the Thorp Area Historical Society holds a collection of more than 100 telephones from around the world; the oldest dates from 1894. The Silver Dome Ballroom is listed on both the National Register and the Wisconsin State Register of Historic Places. Together, these sites show how varied the ways of exploring history can be—through a schoolhouse, a residence, a depot or a collection of technological objects.

Bogs, Forests and Shoreline Landscapes

Those interested in different types of landscapes will find several striking examples. Blue Swamp is a large, acidic peat bog featuring a tamarack-dominated conifer swamp and sedge meadows. Schmidt Maple Woods lies on gently rolling glacial till and features a southern mesic forest. Arbutus Oaks offers a different setting: South of Arbutus Lake, more than a mile of undeveloped shoreline is lined with oaks and white pines more than 90 years old. Two rare bird species have also been recorded in the area.

The Sportsman's Lake Wildlife Area covers 1,200 acres and is characterized by open marshland and grassy uplands. During the spring and fall migrations, the area attracts waterfowl and other wetland birds. Clark County has about 120 miles of waterways for paddlers. Along the Black River, long wooded stretches and several scenic bluffs shape the landscape.

Activities Through the Seasons

Trail options also vary by season and use. The more than 135 miles of ATV/UTV trails and routes in the Clark County Forest wind through the forest in spring, summer and fall, branching off and connecting to form loops. At the Levis/Trow Mound Recreational Area, winter brings 15 miles of groomed trails for skating and classic cross-country skiing, along with another 24 miles of ungroomed backcountry routes. Bruce Mound Winter Sports Area offers snowboarding, tubing and skiing. This lets you match your interests to the season without confusing the different types of routes.

Regional products offer another dimension: Pavilion Cheese & Gifts sells artisan and specialty cheeses. Munson Bridge Wine is made in Clark County. The range of experiences therefore extends from memorial sites and collections to forests, waterways and local products.

More Destinations

Discover more destinations: Neillsville, Polk, Crawford County, Waukesha, Lincoln County, Burnett, Vilas County, Ashland County.

For the main travel overview: Wisconsin.