Horicon Marsh is a 33,000-acre wetland formed thousands of years ago by a continental glacier. In the 1990s, it was designated a wetland of international importance. In spring and fall, hundreds of thousands of ducks, along with tens of thousands of Canada geese and sandhill cranes, pass through the marsh. Those interested in bird migration will notice a distinct seasonal pattern: the major migrations take place in two different seasons.
Marshlands and Outdoor Trails
The Horicon Marsh Wildlife Area has more than five miles of designated trails through forest, prairie, and wetland habitats. The exhibits at the Horicon Marsh Education and Visitor Center also explore the landscape’s long history, tracing the story of Horicon Marsh from the Ice Age to the present. Wisconsin DNR educators offer educational programs and outdoor events there year-round.
The Gold Star Memorial Trail offers another way to explore the region on a trail. It connects Mayville and Beaver Dam and provides access to the Horicon Marsh State Wildlife Area, the Horicon Marsh Education and Visitor Center, the City of Horicon, and the Wild Goose State Trail. The trail is intended for non-motorized use, primarily biking and hiking. In winter, cross-country skiing and snowshoeing are possible, so activities vary by season.
Ledge Park is located on the Niagara Escarpment in northern Dodge County and offers views of Horicon Marsh and the surrounding landscape. Its trails pass distinctive rock formations and dense forests. The park also has 41 campsites, picnic areas, a group shelter, restrooms, showers, and a dump station.
Parks and Camping
Harnischfeger Park covers 132 acres, sits along the Rock River in the Town of Lebanon, and is the largest park in Dodge County. An 800-foot-long riverwalk offers opportunities for shore fishing and wildlife and wetland viewing. Camping options include electric and non-electric sites; listed amenities include showers, restrooms, picnic tables, and fire rings. The campsites therefore vary in the amenities they offer. Since facilities may change, check the latest information before making plans.
At Ledge Park, trails through rock formations and forest are complemented by camping and picnic facilities. Harnischfeger Park, in turn, combines a stay along the Rock River with a riverwalk for fishing and nature viewing. These differences can help you choose parks based on the activities that matter for your trip.
Archaeology, Architectural History, and Museums
Nitschke Mounds Park preserves 37 animal-shaped, conical, and linear mounds, believed to have been built between 800 and 1100 CE. Natural grass-surface trails circle the mounds and wind through the park. The archaeological site can be explored through its forms and the trails that run alongside and between the mounds.
In Mayville, the Mayville Limestone School Museum is housed in a historic limestone school building dating to 1857. Its topics range from local industry and education to community life and limestone quarrying. The building and exhibits connect architectural history with the history of local businesses. Also in Mayville, the Hollenstein Wagon & Carriage Museum displays an extensive collection of restored antique wagons, carriages, and sleighs.
The Octagon House in Watertown is one of Wisconsin’s largest pre-Civil War homes. The Octagon House Museum also includes the schoolhouse of America’s First Kindergarten. In Waupun, visitors can see sculptures in landscaped parks and public spaces. These include The End of the Trail by James Earl Fraser, regarded as a tribute to Native American heritage.
The Wisconsin Automotive Museum in Hartford focuses on the history of technology. Described as Wisconsin’s largest automobile museum, it displays classic and historic automobiles. It also houses the largest assembled collection of Kissel vehicles. The museums therefore span a range of subjects, from school and architectural history to sculpture, wagons, and automobiles.
Seasonal Produce
Farmers’ markets in Dodge County offer fresh produce in spring, summer, and fall. Dates vary by market, so check the schedule for your intended visit in advance.
Explore more destinations: Lomira, Horicon, Beaver Dam, Burnett, Monroe, Barron County, Manitowoc County, Winnebago.
Go to the main travel overview: Wisconsin.
