great wisconsin birding&...

GreatWisconsinBirding&NatureTrailMississippi/Chippewa Rivers Region

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WelcomeWelcome to Wisconsin, where a wonderfulworld of wildlife watching awaits you.

Environmental tourism has become animportant part of our diverse mix of outdoorrecreation. Extensive wetlands, millions ofacres of wild places, a broad range of naturalhabitat, and a commitment to environmentalstewardship have made Wisconsin anoutstanding regional birding opportunity.More than any other state in the Great Lakesbasin, Wisconsin is positioned to promote andenjoy this popular activity.

To that end, we have launched the GreatWisconsin Birding and Nature Trail. Thisproject divides the state into five wildlife-viewing regions. Driving trails that linkimportant wildlife sites within each region arebeing developed. The program will alsoproduce a series of birding guides to theseregions – one each year. This is the second inthat series, a guide to theMississippi/Chippewa Rivers Region.

Wisconsin – life’s so good.

Jim Doyle, Governor

ContentsIntroduction __________________________________ 2State Natural Areas ____________________________ 3Code of Ethics ________________________________ 3Mississippi/Chippewa Rivers Region Map __________ 4-5Using the Guide________________________________ 5Waypoint Index ________________________________ 6-7County Profiles

Buffalo County ____________________________ 8-10Chippewa County __________________________ 11-13Crawford County __________________________ 14-17Dunn County ______________________________ 18-21Eau Claire County __________________________ 22-25Grant County ______________________________ 26-29Jackson County ____________________________ 30-33La Crosse County __________________________ 34-37Pepin County ______________________________ 38-40Pierce County ______________________________ 41-44St. Croix County ____________________________ 45-48Trempealeau County ________________________ 49-51Vernon County ____________________________ 52-55

More Sources of Tourism Information ______________ 56Wisconsin Welcome Centers ____________________ 57

Riecks Lake Park near Alma in Buffalo County.

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Wing your waythrough Wild Wisconsin

The Great Wisconsin Birding and Nature Trailis your invitation to observe the fascinating anddiverse world of wildlife that exists in everycorner of the state.

By 2008, the WisconsinDNR Endangered ResourceProgram will have developeda series of five highway-basedviewing guides, eachhighlighting unique regionalecosystems of Wisconsin.Each will link a set ofwaypoints, refuges and wildplaces that offer the bestbirding and wildlife watching opportunities.

This is the second of those five guides; theMississippi/Chippewa Rivers Birding and NatureTrail. It covers thirteen Wisconsin counties in theMississippi or Chippewa River watershed.Opened in 2005, it includes 67 waypoints fromthe sandbar sloughs of the Mississippi River tothe trout streams of Grant County.

In 2006, the Lake Michigan Birding andNature Trail will debut followed in successiveyears by the Central Sands Prairie and SouthernSavanna Trails. The first guide in the series, theLake Superior Northwoods edition, was released

in 2004 and is still available inlimited numbers.

Waypoints on each trailwill be marked with the pro-gram’s distinctive SandhillCrane logo. As you travel,watch for these signs – theyare your invitation to the fasci-nating world of Wisconsinwildlife.Waypoint marker.

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Code of EthicsThe Great Wisconsin Birding and Nature Trail is your gate-

way to the natural world of Wisconsin. The Code of Ethicsserves to guide you as you seek your favorite waypoint sitesacross the state.

● Treat birds and other animals with respect, never disturbingor collecting anything in their habitat.

● Trails, roads and paths found at the sites provide goodaccess to the property. Avoid leaving them unless you arein a wilderness area.

● Wisconsin has strict trespass laws.Private property does not have tobe posted or fenced in Wisconsin.Ask permission if you want toenter private land. Know whereyou are – pay attention to postedproperty boundary signs.

● Dogs must be leashed on all statelands during the bird-nesting sea-son from April 15 through July 31.

● Lead by example. Leave the property litter-free and in goodcondition for the next traveler.

● Give nature a voice. Thank the property owner, manageror staff person for the opportunity to enjoy nature at theirsite.

State Natural AreasWisconsin’s State Natural Areas(SNAs) protect outstanding exam-ples of native biological commu-nities such as prairies, pine bar-rens, bogs, and boreal forests.They also preserve significantgeological and archaeologicalfeatures and are often the lastrefuges in Wisconsin for rarespecies of animals, plants, fungi,lichens, and a host of otherorganisms.

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BuffaloCounty

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PierceCounty

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PepinCounty

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DunnCounty

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St. CroixCounty

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JacksonCounty

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Eau ClaireCounty

Pgs. 22-25

ChippewaCounty

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CrawfordCounty

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VernonCounty

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La CrosseCounty

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GrantCounty

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TrempealeauCounty

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Great WisconsinBirding& NatureTrailMississippi/Chippewa Rivers Region

Using the GuideInformation for this guide was gathered locally from WisconsinDNR and federal Forest Service personnel, from naturalists, birders,and a range of wildlife enthusiasts.Each site was nominated locally and evaluated as part of the regionalproject.

Site information includes acontact phone number, drivingdirections, a small locator map, adescription of the property, commonand rare birds and wildlife, and aWeb site if available. Except asnoted, admission to these propertiesis free. Hours are included, eventhough most properties are open24/7.

As you would expect, most ofthese waypoints are remote, wildlocations. While every effort hasbeen made to provide accurate driv-ing instructions, we recommend thatyou bring a county map or gazetteerto help in finding these sites. Otherprudent equipment would include acompass, flashlight, water, a granolabar or two, insect repellant, and agood pair of walking/hiking shoes.

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Waypoint IndexPage Page

Pepin County43. Chippewa River State Trail, Durand/Eau Claire___________________________3844. Lower Chippewa River State Natural Area, Pepin ________________________3945. Maiden Rock Bluff State Natural Area, Stockholm _______________________4046. Nine Mile Island State Natural Area, Durand ____________________________40

Pierce County47. Freedom Park Learning Center, Prescott ________________________________4148. Kinnickinnic State Park & Delta State Natural Area, River Falls ____________4249. Morgan Coulee Prairie State Natural Area, Maiden Rock _________________4350. Nugget Lake County Park, Plum City ___________________________________4351. Rush River Delta State Natural Area, Maiden Rock_______________________4452. Trenton Bluff Prairie State Natural Area, Hager City _____________________44

St. Croix County53. Cylon Marsh & Cylon Wildlife Area, Deer Park___________________________4554. Eau Galle Lake Recreation Area, Spring Valley___________________________4655. Oak Ridge Lake & National Waterfowl Production Area (WPA),

New Richmond _______________________________________________________4656. St. Croix Islands State Wildlife Area, Somerset___________________________4757. Willow River State Park, Hudson _______________________________________4858. Willow River State Wildlife Area & Three Lakes National Waterfowl

Production Area, Hudson ______________________________________________48

Trempealeau County59. Great River State Trail-Trempealeau, Trempealeau _______________________5160. Perrot State Park, Trempealeau ________________________________________5061. Trempealeau Lakes State Wildlife Area, Trempealeau ____________________5062. Trempealeau National Wildlife Refuge, Trempealeau ____________________51

Vernon County63. Duck Egg County Park, Viroqua ________________________________________5264. Genoa National Fish Hatchery, Genoa __________________________________5365. Kickapoo Valley Reserve, La Farge______________________________________5466. Old Settler’s Park & Genoa Power Plant, Genoa _________________________5567. Wildcat Mountain State Park & Mt. Pisgah Hemlock-Hardwoods State Natural

Area, Ontario ______________________________________________________________ 55

Buffalo County1. Buena Vista Park, Alma________________________________________________82. Merrick State Park, Fountain City ______________________________________93. Riecks Lake Park, Alma ________________________________________________94. Tiffany Bottoms State Wildlife Area, Nelson_____________________________105. Whitman Dam State Wildlife Area, Buffalo _____________________________10

Chippewa County6. Brunet Island State Park, Cornell _______________________________________117. Chippewa Moraine Ice Age National Scientific Unit & Interpretive Center,

New Auburn _________________________________________________________128. Lake Wissota State Park, Chippewa Falls ________________________________129. Old Abe State Trail, Wildflower Trail, & Lake Wissota State Park Trails ____13

Crawford County10. Hogback Prairie State Natural Area, Stueben____________________________1411. Kickapoo River State Wildlife Area - Wauzeka Unit, Wauzeka ____________1512. La Riviere Park, Prairie du Chien _______________________________________1613. Lock and Dam 9 & Pool 9, Lynxville/Genoa ______________________________1614. Rush Creek State Natural Area, Ferryville _______________________________1715. St. Feriole Island, Prairie du Chien ______________________________________17

Dunn County16. Caryville Savanna State Natural Area, Eau Claire ________________________1817. Dunnville State Wildlife Area, Downsville _______________________________1918. Hoffman Hills State Recreation Area, Menomonie _______________________2019. Lake Menomin & Wolske’s Bay at Lakeside Park & Wakanda Park,

Menomonie __________________________________________________________2020. Red Cedar State Trail, Menomonie _____________________________________21

Eau Claire County21. Augusta State Wildlife Area, Augusta __________________________________2222. Beaver Creek Reserve, Fall Creek _______________________________________2323. Carson Park, Half Moon Lake & Riverview Park, Eau Claire _______________2424. Chippewa River State Trail - Phoenix Park, Eau Claire Trail Head,

Eau Claire ____________________________________________________________2425. Coon Fork Barrens State Natural Area, Augusta _________________________2526. Putnam Park State Natural Area, Eau Claire _____________________________25

Grant County27. Bagley Bottoms Boat Landing, Bagley __________________________________2628. Blue River Sand Barrens State Natural Area, Blue River___________________2729. Nelson Dewey State Park & Dewey Heights Prairie State Natural Area,

Cassville______________________________________________________________2730. Lower Wisconsin River State Wildlife Area, Bridgeport to Woodman ______2831. Wyalusing State Park & Wyalusing Walnut Forest State Natural Area,

Bagley _______________________________________________________________29

Jackson County32. Bauer Brockway Barrens State Natural Area, Black River Falls_____________3033. Bear Bluff Peatlands, Millston__________________________________________3134. Black River State Forest & Dike 17, Millston _____________________________3135. Castle Mound Pine Forest State Natural Area, Black River Falls____________3236. Jay Creek Pine Forest State Natural Area, Millston _______________________3237. Wazee Lake Recreation Area, Black River Falls___________________________33

La Crosse County38. Goose Island County Park, La Crosse____________________________________3439. Hixon Forest Nature Center, La Crosse River Marsh, Riverside Park &

Myrick Park, La Crosse_________________________________________________3540. McGilvray Bridges & Van Loon State Wildlife Area, Onalaska _____________3541. Norskedalen Nature & Heritage Center, Coon Valley _____________________3642. Upper Mississippi River National Wildlife & Fish Refuge -

La Crosse District, La Crosse ____________________________________________37

Tiffany State Wildlife Area, Buffalo County.

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Buffalo CountyBuffalo County’s tourism focus is a string of fourcharming small towns along the Mississippi River.You can catch them all simply by driving Hwy. 35.

Start with Fountain City in southern BuffaloCounty. The town offers pleasant vistas of the riverfrom its characteristic terraced gardens. Nearby,550-foot Eagle Bluff is the highest point on theUpper Mississippi. Just north of town, MerrickState Park is small (320 acres, 69 campsites) but a

haven for river anglers (608/687-4936, www.wiparks.net).Buffalo City/Cochrane is the gateway to some terrific birding

in the Whitman Dam State Natural Area. The Prairie MoonMuseum & Sculpture Garden, a fanciful, concrete-sculptedwonderland, is located just south of town (608/687-8250,www.kohlerfoundation.org/rusch.html).

The riverfront town of Alma has only two streets, but theystretch for seven miles beneath the steep bluffs of theMississippi. The city’s Buena Vista Park sits atop those bluffsand offers spectacular views. Lock & Dam No. 4 is a popularspot to watch the river’s barge traffic lock-through. Just north oftown, across the Buffalo River, the observation deck at Rieck’sLake Park gets crowded in the fall with birders watching theannual migration of Tundra Swans.

Nelson, in northern Buffalo County, attracts visitors for thatmost Wisconsin of reasons – cheese. The Nelson CheeseFactory packs ‘em in for cheddar, Colby, Monterey jack andfresh cheese curds (715/673-4725).

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Merrick State ParkOn the backwaters of the MississippiRiver, Merrick State Park is a great placeto bird watch any time of the year, butspring and fall migrations can be spec-tacular along this major migratoryroute. Though just 320 acres, the parkoffers canoe and kayak access to theextensive waters of the Whitman DamStateWildlifearea to thenorth andthe UpperMississippiRiverNationalWildlife andFish Refugeto thesouth.Paddle up on ducks and shorebirds. Thewooded uplands hold Yellow-throatedVireos, Blue-gray Gnatcatchers, Orchard

Oriole and Cerulean Warblers. In thepark’s old fields and prairie restorations,

see Western Meadowlarks and Bobolinks as they sing from their grassperches or “sky lark” overhead.Directions: From Fountain City, drive north 3 miles on Hwy. 35.

Buena Vista ParkIf you visit this park on a clear day inthe spring or fall, you won’t be disap-pointed. Located 500-feet above thevillage of Alma, it’s a small park with abig view of the Mississippi River for sev-eral miles to the north and south.Equally impressive are the number ofbirds that you can see in this smallarea. The raptor migration along thisarea of the river is spectacular; in thespring you can see Red-tailed Hawks,Peregrine Falcons and Broad-wingedHawks, and in the fall add AmericanKestrels and Cooper Hawks to your list.The woody area around the parking lotharbors lots of songbirds includingBaltimore Orioles, Scarlet Tanagers,Great-crested Flycatchers and Red-bel-lied Woodpeckers. Directions: In Alma, turn east off Hwy.35 onto Cty. E to the park.

Riecks Lake ParkNo trip along this stretch of the riverduring spring and fall migrations iscomplete without stopping at RiecksLake Park to get great looks at TundraSwans during peak migration times inspring and fall. Volunteers welcome vis-itors at viewing platforms at the water’sedge. This is the best place along theMississippi to see these magnificentbirds, especially in the fall. In thespring, many species of ducks includingMallard, Black and Northern Pintailsstop here along with species of teal,herons, bitterns and egrets. In the win-ter, look for Golden Eagles.Directions: From Alma, travel twomiles north on Hwy. 35, then turn eastinto the park.

Phone: 608/685-6234Web site:www.buffalocounty.comSignature Species: Bald Eagle,Red-shouldered Hawk, andYellow-billed Cuckoo.Gazetteer: Page 48, B-1.Seasonality: Open all year.Parking: Paved parking lot.Nearest food & lodging: InAlma.

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Phone: 608/687-4936Web site: www.wiparks.netSignature Species: GreenHerons, Great Egrets, andWilson’s Snipe.Gazetteer: Page 48, C-2.Seasonality: Open all year.Parking: Paved parking lotsthroughout the park.Nearest food & lodging: Campat park, or in Fountain City 3miles south on Hwy. 35.Fee: Park entry & camping feesapply.

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Phone: 608/685-6234Web site:www.buffalocounty.comSignature Species: TundraSwans, Broad-winged Hawk,Scarlet Tanager, and Bald Eagle.Gazetteer: Page 48, B-1Seasonality: Open all yearParking: Paved parking lotNearest food & lodging: InAlma.

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Chippewa CountyWhen you come birding in Chippewa County,bring all your other outdoor gear as well. Bikes,boats, snowmobiles, ATVs, hunting, fishing andcamping gear, hiking boots, cross-country skis –you can use it all here.

Lake Wissota and Brunet Island State Parkstotal 150 campsites between them; the Old AbeState Trail offers 20 miles of railbed biking and

hiking; and the Chippewa Moraine Recreation Area is a trail-head and interpretive center for the 1,000-mile National Ice AgeTrail. In the northeastern corner of the county, Lake Holcombeis a perennial summer playground with 3,890-acres of water-fun. Lake Wissota in the southwest is 6,300 acres and isrenown for its bass and walleye fishing.

On the western shore of Lake Wissota is Chippewa Falls, thecounty seat. The oldest business in town is the JacobLeinenkugel Brewing Company. Visit the brewery’s brandnew visitor’s center, tour the brewery and sample the beer(888/534-6437, www.leinie.com). Other tour opportunities intown include the Cook-Rutledge Mansion. Built in 1873, it’sone of the finest examples of High Victorian-Italianate architec-ture in the Midwest (715/723-7181,www.chippewachamber.org).

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6Whitman Dam State Wildlife AreaWhitman Dam State Wildlife Area is sixmiles of marsh and slough fromMerrick State Park north to the villageof Buffalo. The southern part of this2,173-acre property has areas whereyou can walk and sight lowland forestbirds such as Black-billed Cockoos,woodpeckers and ProthonataryWarbles. Bald and Golden Eagles havealso been seen along this stretch of theriver. A three-mile dike stretching northfrom Lock and Dam #6 creates SpringLake that draws record numbers ofducks and Tundra Swans in the springand fall migration seasons. You canwalk the dike to see huge rafts ofCanvasbacks, Ring-neck ducks andScaup. Directions: From Merrick State Park,travel north 1.5 miles on Hwy. 35 toBechly Road, then west to KamrowskiRoad, and north to the wildlife area

sign that is the southern part of the property. The northern part ofthe property can be reached from Cty. OO just south of Cochrane.You can turn south along the river to a boat ramp, parking lot andthe dike along Spring Lake.

Tiffany Bottoms State Wildlife AreaTiffany Bottoms is the largest and mostimportant intact floodplain forest inWisconsin. It attracts nearly everyspecies of bird found in Wisconsin. Its12,740 acres occupy both sides of theChippewa River between Nelson andDurand. All of the land is state ownedand open to the public. Ten miles ofrailroad track into the heart of theproperty can be accessed from Hwy. 25south of the Buffalo and Pepin Countyline. A walk on the tracks will take youthrough some of the most scenic areasof the property including the floodplainforest. Upland forests and savannaswelcome nesting woodland warblers,flycatchers and woodpeckers of allkinds. Interior swamps produce nightherons, bitterns and egrets.Directions: This property is undevel-oped but there are seven parking lotsalong Hwys. 25 & 35 for access; each ismarked with DNR signs.

Phone: 608/685-6222Web site: dnr.wi.govSignature Species: Whip-poor-will, Red-headed Woodpecker,and Yellow-headed Blackbird.Gazetteer: Page 58, D-3 & Page59, D-8.Seasonality: Open all year.Parking: Parking lots throughoutproperty.Nearest food & lodging: Pepinto the north and Nelson to thesouth.

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Phone: 608/685-6222 Web site: www.dnr.state.wi.usSignature Species: CanvasbackDucks, Tundra Swans, andGolden Eagles.Gazetteer: Page 48, C-2.Seasonality: Open all year.Parking: Parking lots.Nearest food & lodging: InBuffalo, 3 miles north on Hwy.35.

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Brunet Island State ParkThis 1,225-acre state park straddlesboth sides of the Chippewa River alonga section that includes Brunet Island.The Fisher River comes in from thenorth; its bays and lagoons are goodplaces to see beaver, mink, herons anddeer. The park’s eight miles of hikingtrails take you into different birdinghabitats. Hike the wetlands along therivers to find Hermit Thrushes, Yellow-rumped Warblers and CommonYellowthroats. Nashville Warblers,White-throated sparrows and NorthernParula Warblers like the wooded areas.The bays surrounding the islands on theriver hold Great Blue Herons, HoodedMergansers, Mallards and Blue-wingedTeal. The park also offers an interpretivemuseum, swimming, canoeing, fishing,and 69 campsites. The Jean BrunetNature Trail is paved for handicappedaccess.Directions: From Cornell, take ParkRoad north one mile to the park.

Phone: 715/239-6888Web site: www.wiparks.netSignature Species: BlackburnianWarbler, Northern Waterthrush &Purple Finch.Gazetteer: 3, C-7.Seasonality: Open all year.Parking: Parking lots provided.Nearest food & lodging: InCornell, just southeast of thepark.Fee: Park entry & camping feesapply.

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Old Abe State Trail, Wildflower Trail, & Lake Wissota State Park Trails

Paralleling the Chippewa River, the OldAbe State Trail is a twenty-mile, multi-use, paved trail connecting BrunetIsland State Park at Cornell with LakeWissota State Park at Chippewa Falls.Eventually, the trail will extend to EauClaire where it will meet the ChippewaRiver State Trail and, from there, theRed Cedar State Trail forging a 60-mileroll through the Chippewa Valley. Asyou hike or ride the Old Abe, you’ll seemeadowlarks, sparrows and numerouswarblers. At the trail’s midpoint at JimFalls you can access the WildflowerTrail, so named for its spectacularspring wildflower display. On this half-mile hike along the river bottom youmight see Pine and Yellow-rumpedWarblers, White-throated Sparrows andAlder Flycatchers. Overhead, watch forRed-shouldered Hawks. Directions: Access the Old Abe Trailfrom trailheads in Lake Wissota orBrunet Island State Parks.

Chippewa Moraine Ice Age NationalScientific Unit & Interpretive Center

Wisconsin’s last glacier retreated16,000 years ago leaving a spectacularlandscape in its wake. The Ice Age Trailtraces the glacier’s terminal moraine – a1,000-mile trail that meanders throughWisconsin marking the glacier’s south-ern terminus. In Chippewa County, thetrail runs 23 miles from the InterpretiveCenter to Burnet Island State Park. Inthis part of the state, the trail traversesan area that is heavily forested withnumerous kettle lakes. Hiking the trailwill produce many northern forestbirds: Ruffed Grouse, Great CrestedFlycatchers, Cooper’s and Broad-wingedHawks, Scarlet Tanager, Indigo Buntingsand Great Horned Owls all nest here.Near the kettle lake look for ducks,mergansers, geese and herons.Directions: From New Auburn, traveleast on Cty. M nine miles to theInterpretive Center on the left.

Lake Wissota State ParkThis 1,062-acre park combines pine andhardwood forest, lake, prairie andmarshland that support 200 avianspecies. During migration, the 6,300-acre lake is alive with waterfowl: Blueand Green-winged Teal, NorthernPintails, Mallards, Scaup, Mergansers,Northern Shoveler, American Wigeonand American Black Duck. Canada,Snow and Greater White-fronted Geesealso use the area along with TrumpeterSwans. Grasses and wildflowers, calledforbes, dominate the prairies. Here,look and listen for Willow Flycatchers,Sedge Wrens, Eastern Bluebirds,Northern Harriers, the CommonNighthawk, and our smallest falcon,the American Kestrel. The hardwoodforest can be enjoyed via 17 miles oftrail. Directions: From Chippewa Falls, takeHwy. 178 north to Cty. S east. As youcross the bridge over the ChippewaRiver, turn east on Cty. O two miles tothe park.

Phone: 715/967-2800Web site: www.iceagetrail.orgSignature Species: Great BlueHeron & Red-headedWoodpecker.Gazetteer: Page 73, C-5.Seasonality: Open all year.Parking: Parking lot provided.Nearest food & lodging: NewAuburn.

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Phone: 715/382-4574Web site: www.wiparks.netSignature Species: Pine andYellow-rumped Warbler,Common Raven.Gazetteer: Page 61, A-6.Seasonality: Open all year.Parking: Parking lots provided.Nearest food & lodging: InChippewa Falls, seven milessouthwest.Fee: Park entry and camping feesapply

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Phone: 715/726-7880Web site: dnr.wi.govSignature Species: Eastern &Western Meadowlark and WillowFlycatcher Gazetteer: Page 73, C-5 & Page61, A-6 Seasonality: Open all year Parking: Parking lots provided Nearest food & lodging: InCornell, Jim Falls & ChippewaFallsFee: Trail pass

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Crawford County

10 Hogback Prairie State Natural AreaHogback Prairie is a narrow, steep-sided, limestone ridge rising 300 feetabove the Kickapoo River and theCitron Valley. It is the dominant featureof this 971-acre site. To the north, westand east the ridge is flanked by dryprairie. To the south, the landscapeblends into oak woods and brushprairie. The area supports an unusualmix of plants and animals including rarebutterfly species, purple prairie-clover,bird’s-foot violets and side oats gramagrass. Grassland birds include SedgeWrens and Bell’s Vireo. Directions: From the intersection ofHwy. 179 and Bridge Street in Steuben,go north on Bridge Street 0.5 mile,then west and north on Hughes Road 2miles, then west on Citron Valley Road0.8 mile. Park along the road acrossfrom the information kiosk.

Phone: 608/785-9000 Web site: dnr.wi.govSignature Species: Cranes,Sedge Wrens, and Yellow-breasted Chat.Gazetter: Page 32, B-4.Seasonality: Open all year.Parking: Parking along roadacross from kiosk.Nearest food & lodging: InBoscobel, southeast of Steuben.

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Knit together by meandering rivers and trout-filledstreams, Crawford County in southwesternWisconsin is awash in history.

Prairie du Chien, the county seat, straddles theconfluence of the Mississippi and Wisconsin Rivers.At the Hwy. 18 bridge, stop at the WisconsinWelcome Center (WCC) for free trip planning,statewide travel brochures, maps and a friendlysmile (608/326-2241, www.travelwisconsin.com).

Prairie du Chien’s varied history is captured in a number ofintriguing historic sites. Perhaps the most notable is the graciousVilla Louis, the Victorian country estate of the Dousman family,Wisconsin’s first millionaires (866/944-7483, www.wisconsinhis-tory.org/villalouis). The city is also the site of one of three his-toric pre-civil War forts built and operated by the US Army inWisconsin. Tour the Fort Crawford Museum for more localhistory (608/326-6960, www.fortcrawfordmuseum.com). Ifyou’re more outdoorsman than historian, there’s a Cabela’sretail store in town with everything for the hunter, angler andcamper (608/326-5600, www.cabelas.com).

About twelve miles upstream, just south of Lynxville, you canstop at Lock & Dam No. 9 to watch river barges and pleasurecraft lock-through.

In Wauzeka, tour the Kickapoo Indian Caverns, the largestsubterranean caverns in the state (608/875-7723, www.kickapooindiancaverns.com).

11 Kickapoo River State Wildlife Area –Wauzeka Unit

The 2000 acres of the Kickapoo RiverState Wildlife Area are contained intwo units. The Bell Center Unit is locat-ed south of Gays Mills and theWauzeka Unit is on the southern bor-der of Crawford County. The WauzekaUnit is an interesting mix of grass-cov-ered hills, river bottoms and woodedhillsides. A good trail system leads youthrough some excellent river bottom-lands where you can view waterfowl,woodland bottom warblers like theProthonotary, and Great Blue Herons.The variety of habitats along this 3-milestretch of trail can also produce GrayCatbirds, Indigo Bunting and AmericanRedstart warblers.Notes: This part of the state is referredto as the driftless, or unglaciated partof Wisconsin. It is known for its lime-stone bluffs, steep hillsides coveredwith hardwood forests, and its dry hill-top grasslands known as “goat”prairies.Directions: From Wauzeka turn northon Hwy. 131 one mile to the parkinglot.

Phone: 608/785-9000Web site: dnr.wi.govSignature Species: SandhillCranes, Turkeys, and SavannahSparrow.Gazetter: Page 32, D-3.Seasonality: Open all year.Parking: Parking lot along Hwy.131, one mile north of Hwy. 60.Nearest food & lodging: InWauzeka (south), Boscobel (east)or Prairie du Chien.

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Crawford County

14 Rush Creek State Natural AreaLocated north of Ferryville, the RushCreek State Natural Area encompassesexceptional dry prairies, oak forest, and400-foot limestone-capped bluffs. Theprairies on the very steep, southwest-facing slopes hold blazing-star, com-pass-plant and bird’s-foot violets. Thenorth-facing hillsides are forested withred and white oak, black walnut, hicko-ry, basswood, and sugar maple. Rushcreek runs through the middle of this2027-acre property. It harbors numer-ous species of songbirds during thespring and fall migrations. The steepclimb to the top of the bluffs is reward-ed with a spectacular view of theMississippi River. Directions: From Ferryville, go north onHwy. 35 for 3.1 miles, then northeaston Rush Creek Road for 0.5 mile to aparking area west of the road. Crossthe road and walk east on the old laneto the bluff top.

Phone: 608/785-9000Web site: dnr.wi.govSignature Species: TurkeyVulture and Kentucky Warbler.Gazetter: Page 32, B-2.Seasonality: Open all year. Parking: Parking lot on RushCreek Road.Nearest food & lodging: InFerryville, 3 miles south on Hwy35.

12 La Riviere ParkLa Riviere Park is owned by the City ofPraire du Chien and has six miles ofhiking trails. The site is located on theBridgeportTerrace abovethe confluenceof theWisconsin andMississippiRivers. Trailslead to wood-lands and grass-lands where youcan see ScarletTanagers, TuftedTitmice, and White-eyed Vireos. Thepark has restrooms, a drinking foun-tain, camping and picnic areas, and anature center with limited hours.Directions: From Hwy. 35/18 on thesouth side of Prairie du Chien, go onemile east on Vineyard Coulee Road.

Phone: 608/ 326-7207Web Site: prairieduchien.orgSignature Species: EasternBluebird and Lark Sparrow.Gazzetter: Page 32, D-2.Seasonality: Open all year from6am–11pm.Parking: Parking lot.Nearest food & lodging: InPrairie du Chien.

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Lock and Dam 9 & Pool 9Pool No. 9 on the Mississippi Riverstretches from the lock and dam southof Lynxville north to Genoa. Travel Hwy.35, the Great River Road, and enjoy thishuge body of water. During migrations,hundreds of thousands of ducks can beseen from the many pull-off areaslocated along the highway. Good num-bers of Tundra Swans use the area asdo American White Pelicans. TurkeyVultures, hawks and Bald Eagles soaron the thermal air currents along thebluffs. The Cold Springs Boat Landingnorth of Lynxville is a good place towatch water birds of all kinds.Notes: Lock & Dam No. 9 near Lynxvilleand Lock & Dam No. 8 at Genoa offerpublic observation platforms and rest-rooms open from dawn to dusk fromApril to November. They’re great placesto watch the barge traffic along theriver.

Phone: 608/874-4311Web site: mvp.usace.army.milSignature Species: Bald Eaglesall year long.Gazetter: Page 32 B-2.Seasonality: Lock & dam openApril-November. Pool 9 is openall year.Parking: Ample parking areas.Nearest food & lodging: InPrairie du Chien and Lynxville.

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15 St. Feriole IslandThis 240-acre island on the east chan-nel of the Mississippi River has a mix ofhabitats including beaches, floodplainforest and grassland. In the spring,floodwaters create mud flats ideal formigrating shore-birds. One maysee AmericanAvocets alongthe beach. Atrail leads awayfrom the park-ing lot to afloodplain hard-wood forestwhere warblersand othermigrant song-birds can be seen. Peregrine Falconshunt ducks along this stretch of theriver corridor Directions: In downtown Prairie duChien at Hwy. 35 & Hwy. 18, drive weston Blackhawk Avenue and cross thebridge to get onto the island.

Phone: 608/326-7207Web site: prairieduchien.orgSignature Species: Bonaparte’sGulls and shorebirds.Gazetter: Page 32, D-2.Seasonality: Open all year 6am-11pm.Parking: Parking lot.Nearest food & lodging: InPrairie du Chien.

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Dunn County

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Dunn County is a nice blend of tourism, agricul-ture and industry. Menomonie, the county seat, isan important hub made more so by UW-Stoutwhose 7,500 students are half the city’s popula-tion. The vital downtown is anchored by the his-toric Mabel Tainter Memorial Theatre, now lov-ingly restored to its 1889 splendor with an artgallery, reading room and 313-seat theater(800/236-7675, www.mabeltainter.com). The

Russell J. Rassbach Heritage Museum displays a series ofthemed exhibits that illuminate Dunn County history (715/232-8685, www.discover-net.net/~dchs). Nearby, the city’s WakandaWater Park, with its waterslides and fountains, is a great placeto beat summer’s heat.

The Red Cedar River transects Dunn County and is a popu-lar tubing river. You can also bike the Red Cedar State Trail, a14-mile former railbed trail from Menomonie south to its junc-tion with the Chippewa River State Trail (715/232-1242,www.wiparks.net). As you ride, you’ll pass Downsville, home ofEmpire in Pine, a lumber-era museum with a village jail, postoffice and blacksmith shop (715/664-8690, www.discover-net.net/~dchs).

Caryville Savanna State Natural AreaPicture yourself canoeing or kayaking toa beautiful island in the Chippewa Riverwhere time seems to stand still andbirds call from oak groves and grassyprairies. This is what you’ll find whenyou visit the 420-acre Caryville SavannaState Natural Area located on BrushIsland. Look for Orchard Orioles, GrayCatbirds, and Yellow-bellied Sapsuckersin the oak barrens, and keep an eyeout for Clay-colored and Lark Sparrowsin the prairies. When exploring thefloodplain forest, look for Barred Owls,Whip-poor-wills, Red-headedWoodpeckers and Eastern Phoebes. Directions: From the intersection ofHwys. 85 and Cty. H just north ofCaryville, drive north on Cty. H 0.5 mileto a boat landing on the ChippewaRiver. Canoe downstream about 3 milesto Brush Island south of the main chan-nel and north of Meridean Slough.Canoe access is also available from aboat landing on 240th Avenue.

Phone: 715/232-1517Web site: dnr.wi.govSignature Species: Red-shouldered Hawk and EasternBluebird.Gazetteer: Page 60, C-3.Seasonality: Open all year.Parking: Parking lot at boatlanding.Nearest food & lodging: In EauClaire, 11 miles east.

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17 Dunnville State Wildlife AreaThe 5,000 acres surrounding the con-fluence of the Red Cedar andChippewa Rivers is the Dunnville StateWildlife Area, divided into the Upperand Lower Dunnville Bottoms. Thisproperty is a mix of prairie, floodplainforest, fields and ridges covered bywoods. Clay-colored and Lark Sparrowslive here. You may even hear or seeBob White Quail. Red-shoulderedHawks nest here along with EasternKingbirds, Barred Owls and Blue-winged Warblers. The restored prairieson the property hold Western mead-owlarks, Willow Flycatchers and SedgeWrens. Along the edges of the prairiewhere they meet the shrubby trees,look for Turkeys, Orchard Orioles andWhite-eyed Vireos. Long and WallaceLakes in the interior of the propertyhold ducks, herons and rails.Directions: From Downsville, take Hwy.25 south to Cty. Y, then turn east to aparking lot.

Phone: 715/232-1517Web site: dnr.wi.govSignature species: Lark Sparrowand Blue-gray Gnatcatcher.Gazetteer: Page 60, C-2.Seasonality: Open all year .Parking: Parking lots provided.Nearest food & lodging: InDownsville, 3.5 miles north.

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Hoffman Hills State Recreation AreaThis 707-acre property is a mosaic ofwooded hills, prairies and wetlandswith a network of hiking and cross-country ski trails. It includes the highestspot in Dunn County with a 60-footobservation towerand spectacularviews of the coun-tryside. Forestbirds found hereare the ScarletTanager, CommonRaven, NorthernRough-wingedSwallow andTufted Titmouse.In the wetlands, look for Green Herons,Green-wing Teal and Virginia Rails. Inthe prairies, look for Sedge Wrens andCommon Yellowthroats. Deer, coyotes,mink, raccoons and muskrats share thisday-use recreation area. Directions: Exit I-94 north at Cty. Band go 2.5 miles to 730th Avenue. Go2 miles east to 690th Street and turnsouth to 270th Avenue to the entrance.

Phone: 715/232-1517Web site: dnr.wi.govSignature Species: GreatCrested Flycatcher, WarblingVireo and Eastern Wood-Pewee.Gazetteer: Page 60, A-2.Seasonality: Open all year. Parking: Parking lots provided.Nearest food & lodging: InMenomonie, 7 miles southwest.Fee: State Trail Pass – No dogsallowed.

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19 Lake Menomin & Wolske’s Bay at LakesidePark & Wakanda Park

Menomonie’s Lake Menomin harborsseveral beautiful parks along its shores.Wolske Bay off of Lakeside Park on thewest side of the lake hosts HoodedMergansers and Goldeneyes duringspring migrations. Wakanda Park onthe northwest shore holds a variety ofwarblers along with House Wrens, GrayCatbirds, Blue Jays and Indigo Buntings.Wakanda is also the home of the LionsClub Game Park featuring nativeWisconsin animals and a nature trail.At the north end of the lake a slougharea runs further north to Cedar Falls.During migrations, it holds many kindsof songbirds, ducks, herons and hawks.Directions: Access Wakanda Park fromHwy. 25 to Pine or Maple Avenue.Lakeside Park is located off Hwy. 25 onWolske Bay Road.

Phone: 715/962-4460Web site:www.menomonie.com Signature Species: WhitePelican, Goldeneye Duck andFranklin’s Gull.Gazetteer: Page 60, A-1.Seasonality: Open all year.Parking: Parking lot provided.Nearest food & lodging: InMenomonie.

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20 Red Cedar State TrailThe Red Cedar State Trailhead is locat-ed in Menomonie at an old railroaddepot in Riverside Park. The trail mean-ders south along the Red Cedar Riverfor 14.5 miles through serpentine val-leys, rolling hills, bluffs, woodlands andprairies all the way to the junction withthe Chippewa River. You can hike orbike this trail. The woodlands will holdBlue Jays, the prairies have EasternKingbirds and Field Sparrows, and thebackwater areas are great places to findall kinds of ducks, Green Herons andSora Rails. Watch for mink, red fox andmuskrats along the water’s edge.About halfway, the historic town ofDownsville is the home of the Empire inPine Lumberjack Museum. Just threemiles south of Downsville is the CaddieWoodlawn Historical Park located onHwy. 25. Near the confluence of thetwo rivers, the trail will traverse theDunnville Bottoms State Wildlife Area,the heart of the Chippewa River Valley.Directions: At Menomonie, exit I-94at Hwy. 12 south (Broadway) and go 2miles to Hwy. 29, turn west to RiversidePark.

Phone: 715/232-1242Web site: dnr.wi.govSignature Species: Eastern BlueBirds, Bald Eagle and Bobolinks.Gazetteer: Page 60, B-1.Seasonality: Open all year.Parking: Parking lots provided.Nearest food & lodging: InMenomonie.Fee: Trail fees apply.

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Eau Claire CountyAccording to local legend, French voyageurJonathan Carver first shouted “L’Eau Claire”(“clear water”) in 1767 and so named the county,city and river. The county’s ten lakes and 161 milesof trout streams maintain that “clear water” lega-cy.

The city of Eau Claire is also the county seat.Carson Park is one of the city’s outdoor jewels. Its134 acres house the Chippewa Valley Museum,

an award-winning regional museum with outstanding NativeAmerican and local history dioramas (715/834-7871,www.cvmuseum.com). Next door, tour the Paul BunyanLogging Camp, an authentic reproduction of an 1890’s original(715/835-6200, www.paulbunyancamp.org). The Fanny HillVictorian Inn and Dinner Theatre is a delightful restaurantand B&B with professional dinner theater performances(800/292-8026, www.fannyhill.com).

Eighteen miles to the east, Augusta is a much smaller, butno less interesting destination. The community includes anAmish settlement of more than 150 families. Their handcraftedgoods are sold at the Wood Shed (715/286-5404). Just northof town is the remarkable Dells Mill, a flour mill built in 1864entirely of wood, including gears and pulleys (715/286-2714).

Augusta State Wildlife AreaThis 2,100-acre marsh and woodlandlies just south of Lake Eau Claire.Hiking trails access the interior of theproperty. Gravel roads provide drivingaccess to a pair of small ponds whereyou can see herons and egrets feedingalong the water’s edge while SandhillCranes forage in nearby marshes. Asyou walk the dike roads you’ll seemarsh birds, wrens and sparrows. Themixed hardwood areas are good placesto find Great Crested Flycatchers,Eastern Pewees and American Kestrels.The ponds’ proximity to Lake Eau Clairemake them attractive to migrating ornesting waterfowl; look for Canadageese and numerous duck species onthe ponds. Directions: From Augusta, drive north4 miles on Cty. G; then follow it east tothe parking area. There is also a park-ing lot on the east side of the propertyoff Kelly Road.

Phone: 715/839-3771Web site: dnr.wi.govSignature Species: SandhillCranes, Sora Rails and Great BlueHerons.Gazetteer: Page 61, C-8.Seasonality: Open all year.Parking: Parking lots provided.Nearest food & lodging: InAugusta, 4 miles south.

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22 Beaver Creek ReserveBeaver Creek Reserve is a 360-acreproperty that includes the Wise NatureCenter, Hobbs Observatory, and aunique Butterfly House. The property isa mixture of upland hardwood forest,prairie, and lowland floodplain forest.The waterfalls and sandy beaches ofthe Eau Claire River offer a glimpse of aLouisiana Waterthrush or a gray fox asthey comes to drink the cool water.Tufted Titmice, Great CrestedFlycatchers, American Kestrels andCooper’s Hawks are found on the prop-erty along with Song Sparrows andHouse Wrens.Overlooking Beaver Creek, the WiseNature Center offers interpretive dis-plays and live animal exhibits. Miles ofhiking trails, a wildlife photographyblind, butterfly gardens, feeding sta-tions and boardwalks make any visithere enjoyable. The Hobbs Observatoryhas a pair of computer-operated tele-scopes. The Butterfly House is a greatplace to photograph butterflies as they

sip nectar on plants grown for them in the nearby greenhouse. Directions: From Fall Creek, drive north 3.5 miles on Cty. K; then fol-low signs to the property.

Phone: 715/877-2212Web site:www.beavercreekreserve.orgSignature Species: Pine andNashville Warblers & Red-belliedWoodpeckers. Gazetteer: Page 61, B-6.Seasonality: Open all year, Mon-Fri 8am-4: 30pm, Sat 9am-4pm,Sun noon-4pm.Parking: Parking lots provided.Nearest food & lodging: In FallCreek, 3.5 miles south; or in EauClaire 12 miles west.

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24 Chippewa River State Trail - Phoenix Park,Eau Claire Trail Head

In Eau Claire, the trailhead for theChippewa River State Trail is located inPhoenix Park at the confluence of theEau Claire and Chippewa Rivers. Thetrail runs south thirty miles to Durand.The first eleven miles (to Caryville) arepaved.Trail habitats change from urban wood-land and grassland to agriculture tohardwood and floodplain forest. Highabove the trail, Cormorants, TurkeyVultures and Bald Eagles ride the ther-mals. Remnant prairies, grasslands andshrubby thickets hold Brown Thrashers,Bobwhite, Field and Clay-coloredSparrows and Yellow-throated Vireos.In some of the larger, older fields, youmight hear the call of Bobolink andUpland Sandpipers.Directions: The best access is from FirstAvenue and Fulton Street.

Carson Park, Half Moon Lake & Riverview Park

Carson Park is Eau Claire’s largest; a130-acre peninsula surrounded by HalfMoon Lake. Its trails, woods, marshesand brushy areas attract many speciesof birds. Hiking trails scale the bluffs.From overlooks you can see BlackDucks, Wood Ducks and Mallards onthe lake below. The park’s many popu-lar attractions include the ChippewaValley Museum, Paul Bunyan Loggingcamp, and an historic baseball field. Riverview Park lies along the ChippewaRiver on the city’s north side. An archedbridge crosses the river leading to anisland where you can access the river’sbackwaters for Yellow warblers, WillowFlycatchers and song sparrows.Directions: Carson Park can bereached from Carson Park Drive, LakeSt. or Menomonie St. Riverview Parkhas numerous entrances alongRiverview Drive.

Eau Claire County

Phone: 715/839-4914Web site: www.ci.eau-claire.wi.usSignature Species: Coot,Gadwall, Great Horned Owl, andRed-breasted Nuthatch.Gazetteer: Page 60, B-4.Seasonality: Open all year.Parking: Parking lots provided.Nearest food & lodging: In EauClaire.

Phone: 715/232-1242 or715/839-5032Web site: dnr.wi.govSignature Species: PineWarblers and Lark Sparrows.Gazetteer: Page 60, B-4.Seasonality: Open all year.Parking: Parking lot provided.Nearest food & lodging: In EauClaire.Fees: Trail pass fees applyoutside of the City of Eau Claire.

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Putnam Park State Natural AreaExpect to add some new birds to yourchecklist when you visit this birding hotspot. Putnam Park is the best place tobird watch in Eau Claire. Owned by theUniversity of Wisconsin-Eau Claire,habitats range from prairie to oldgrowth pine to rocky cliffs, marshesand floodplain forest. There are twosections to the park, one on each sideof the campus. All of this urban greenspace acts like a magnet for birds inany season. You can see Bald Eagles,Tufted Titmice, Pine Warblers, Ring-billed Gulls, Purple Finches and Blue-Gray Gnatcatchers.Directions: To access the western por-tion, walk west from UW-EC parkinglot #4 along the interpretive trail intothe area. To access the eastern portion,use Putnam Drive, which runs throughthe area and starts across from parkinglot #14.

Coon Fork Barrens State Natural AreaCoon Fork Barrens lies between twotributaries of the Eau Claire River, CoonFork Creek and Pea Creek. The propertyis 580 acres of gently rolling barrens,brushy sand prairie and ferns atopsandy soils. Stunted Jack pine, Hills,black, white and bur oaks accent thebarrens with blueberry and Americanhazelnut bushes. Birds include theNorthern Raven, White-throatedSparrow, Clay-colored and GrasshopperSparrow, Willow Flycatcher, Bobolink,Goldfinch, Veery and Yellow-rumpedWarbler. In the winter the area supportswinter finches. Prairie plant speciesinclude wild lupine, which supports apopulation of rare Karner blue butter-flies.Directions: From Augusta, drive east1.6 miles on Hwy. 12, then northeaston Cty. CF (Coon Fork Road) 4.2 milesto a parking lot at its intersection withHorse Creek and Goat Ranch Roads. Ahiking trail runs through the site.

Phone: 715/839-3771Web site: dnr.wi.govSignature species: Karner bluebutterfly, Wild Turkey, and Blue-winged Warbler.Gazetteer: Page 61, C-8.Seasonality: Open all year.Parking: Parking area provided.Nearest food & lodging: InAugusta, 6 miles west.

Phone: 715/836-2637Web site: www.uwec.eduSignature species: SummerTanager, Winter Wren, PurpleFinch & Cedar Waxwing.Gazetteer: Page: 61, B-5.Seasonality: Open all year.Parking: Parking lot provided.Nearest food & lodging: In EauClaire.

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Grant CountyGrant County fills the southwestern corner ofWisconsin where the Mississippi River sculpts thestate’s border in a great sweeping “S” turn. Theattractions here are many. Start your trip at theWisconsin Welcome Center on Hwy. 151/61 justnorth of the Hwy. 11 interchange where you’ll findplenty of free travel advice, literature, maps anddirections (608/748-4484, www.travelwisconsin.com).Along the Mississippi stop in Dickeyville at a

remarkable and fanciful bit of concrete folk art, the DickeyvilleGrotto (608/568-3119, www.dickeyville.com). Follow Hwy. 35 abit further north to Potosi to see the St. John Lead Mine,where you can don a hard hat and tour this once ore-rich cave(608/763-2121). Drive on to Cassville where you can campalong the bluffs of Nelson Dewey State Park (608/725-5374,www.wiparks.net). You can also visit Stonefield, a replica of an1890’s rural Wisconsin village (866/944-7483, www.wisconsin-history.org/stonefield). In the far northwestern corner of thecounty, the views from the river bluffs above Wyalusing StatePark are special (888/947-2757, www.wiparks.net).

In the north, Fennimore offers the Fennimore Doll and ToyMuseum (888/867-7935) and the Fennimore RailroadMuseum with its narrow guage steam engine and miniaturetrain ride (800/822-1131.)

In the southeastern corner of the county, Platteville is hometo UW-Platteville as well as the Mining Museum & RolloJamison Museum (608/348-3301, www.platteville.com). Hereyou can descend into an 1845 lead mine, ride a 1931 mine

Bagley Bottoms Boat LandingPhone: 608/935-3368Web Site: dnr.wi.govSignature Species: Wood ducks,egrets and herons.Gazetter: Page 24, A-1Seasonality: Open all year.Parking: Large gravel parking lot.Nearest food & lodging: Privatecampground and food in Bagley.

This boat landing is typical of manythat are found all along the MississippiRiver. Often these small, secluded areasoffer the birder a chance to get close tothe river and explore the floodplainforests from a slightly elevated road. Ashort hiking trail leads to the backwa-ters of the Mississippi where there arenumerous birds to be found on mostdays. Species such as Yellow-crownedNight Herons, Pileated Woodpeckersand American Egrets are seen in thearea. Directions: From Bagley, travel .05 milenorthwest on Cty. X to a point nearlyacross the road from a private camp-ground. Bohrineier Road takes youacross the rail road tracks and down tothe boat landing parking area.

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29 Nelson Dewey State Park and DeweyHeights Prairie State Natural Area

Towering bluffs along the MississippiRiver, hidden valleys, and Dewey Creekgive this 756-acre state park its charac-ter. Located within the park is DeweyHeights Prairie State Natural Area. Ahike along the bluff-top prairie providespanoramic views of the Mississippi Riverand river valley. From the pasque-flow-ers of early spring to the asters of fall, adiversity of plants bloom here through-out the season. In the spring and fall,dozens of migratory species join resi-dent Lark, Field, and GrasshopperSparrows. Bald Eagles winter along thisstretch of the river and can be seenfrom November through March. Directions: From Cassville, go north-west on Cty. VV 1.2 miles to the parkentrance. Maps are available at thepark office. Follow the park road to thebluff summit to reach Dewey HeightsPrairie State Natural Area.

Phone: 608/725-5374Web site: dnr.wi.govSignature Species: Eagles,Carolina Wren, PileatedWoodpecker & Cerulean Warbler.Gazetter: Page 24, C-2.Seasonality: Open all year.Parking: Parking throughoutpark.Nearest Food & lodging: Parkoffers campsites, or in Cassville1.2 miles east of the park.Fee: State park vehicle admissionsticker required.

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133VV

MississippiCassville

Nelson DeweyState Park

River

I O W A

StonefieldVillage

28 Blue River Sand Barrens State Natural AreaThe unstable, sandy soil of this 130-acre terrace along the Wisconsin Riveris one of the state’s largest and bestexamples of a dry prairie-like landscapeand “moving” sand dune communities.Moving sands are shaped by the wind,creating “blowouts” or large unvege-tated depressions. A scattered forest ofblack and Hill’s oaks help to stabilizethe sand in other areas providing habi-tat for false heather and bearberry thathave adapted to the dry and harsh con-ditions. Reptiles like the six-linedracerunner live here along with manyspecies of grassland birds and river tur-tles that nest in the dunes. Directions: From Blue River, go east onHwy. 133 for 1.9 miles, then north onWightman Road 0.25 mile to thesoutheast corner of the site. Parking isalong the road. This property lies withinthe Lower Wisconsin State Riverway.

Phone: 608/375-4123 (DNR)Web Site: dnr.wi.govSignature Species: Easternprickly pear cactus, Hill’s oak,Clay-colored, Vesper and LarkSparrows, Bobolinks and UplandSandpipers. Gazetter: Page 33, C-6.Seasonality: Open all year duringdaylight hours.Parking: Park along road at thesoutheast corner of the property.Nearest food & lodging: InMuscoda 7 miles east, or Boscobel7 miles west.

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133

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Wisconsin

BlueRiver

Blue RiverSand BarrensSNA

River

2288 2299

Grant County

30 Lower Wisconsin River State Wildlife AreaWeb Site: dnr.wi.govGazetter: Pages 32-33, D1-7.Nearest food and lodging: InPrairie du Chien, Boscobel, BlueRiver and Muscoda.

In the southwestern corner of the state,the Wisconsin River forms the boundarybetween Grant and Iowa Counties onthe south and Crawford and RichlandCounties to the north. The LowerWisconsin River State Wildlife Areaflanks that part of the river in severaldistinct units. Marsh habitat, river bot-tom, agricultural fields, and bluffs hostan astounding number of bird speciesfrom owls to Ruffed Grouse. There arenumerous sites clearly identified forpublic access along Highway 18 in theBridgeport/Wisconsin River Bottomsarea, and east along Cty. C to BergumBottoms and Woodman. Continueexploring along Hwy. 133 east toBoscobel and Muscoda.

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Wisconsin

River

River

Kickapoo

Prairiedu Chien

Bridgeport

Wauzeka Woodman

WyalusingState Park

Great Horned Owl.

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Camping along the lower Wisconsin River.

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31 Wyalusing State Park and WyalusingWalnut Forest State Natural Area

Located at the confluence of theMississippi and Wisconsin Rivers,Wyalusing is one of the best placesalong the river for birding. The 2,628-acre park offers a diversity of habitatthat attracts many bird species. Withinthe park,WyalusingWalnut ForestState NaturalArea lies onthe north faceof a 500 foot-high bluff over-looking thetwo rivers. Theforest containstwo nearly pure stands of black walnuttrees, and spectacular spring wildflowerdisplays.Directions: Traveling south from Prairiedu Chien, cross the Wisconsin River onHwy. 18/35. Turn west on Cty. C for3.5 miles, then west on Cty. X for 1.1miles, then north on the park road for1.7 miles to the nature center parkinglot. Pick up a park map at the parkoffice.

Phone: 608/996-2261Web Site: www.wiparks.netSignature Species: Red-shouldered Hawk, Kentucky andProthonotary Warblers, Yellow-breasted Chat, Turkey Vulturesand Whip-poor-wills.Gazetter: Page 24, A-1.Seasonality: Open all year.Parking: Paved lots throughoutproperty.Nearest food & Lodging: Parkhas electric/non-electric sites forcamping, or in Prairie du Chien 6miles north, or in Bagley 1 milenorth.Fee: State park vehicle admissionsticker required.

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WisconsinRiver

River

WyalusingState Park& WyalusingWalnut ForestSNA

Prothonotary Warbler.

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33113300

Jackson County

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With nearly a third of its land in state and countyforests, Jackson County is a recreational bonanza inthe center of the state. There’s something for every-one, and everyone’s toys.

The Black River State Forest (715/284-4103,www.wiparks.net) alone covers 67,000 acres offer-ing 34 miles of horseback riding trails, 33 miles ofmountain bike trails, 33 miles of ATV trails, 51 milesof snowmobile trails, 27 miles of hiking trails, 24

miles of X-C ski trails, backpacking and 98 family campsites.County forestlands cover another 118,000 acres with manycamping and day-use options.

The county promotes 100 miles of ATV/motorcycle trails.There are two excellent canoe trails mapped and marked on theBlack River. The Wazee Lake Recreation Area encompasses3,000 acres on what was a former iron mine. Wazee Lake, theformer mine site, covers 150 acres and is 355-feet deep,Wisconsin’s deepest. The water clarity makes it one of the finestscuba diving lakes in the Midwest.

Black River Falls is the county seat. You can catch a littleexcitement at Majestic Pines Hotel, Bingo & Casino(800/657-4621, www.mpcwin.com). To wet your whistle, stopat the Pioneer Brewing Company in the historic 1856Oderholz Brewery building for a tour and a taste (715/284-7553, www.cuttingedge.net/~pioneer).

Phone: 715/284-1400Web site: dnr.wi.govSignature Species: Karner bluebutterfly, Eastern Kingbird andWillow Flycatcher.Gazetteer: Page 50, B-3.Seasonality: Open all year.Parking: Parking area provided.Nearest food & lodging: InBlack River Falls, 2 milessouthwest of site.

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Bauer BrockwayBarrens SNA

W. CASTLE MOUND RD.

N. B

RO

CK

WA

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D.

W. BAUER RD.

To Black River Falls

Bauer-Brockway Barrens State NaturalArea is a 240-acre sandy barrens withscattered open-grown jack pine andHill’s Oak. The rare Karner blue butter-fly thrives on the prairie’s wild lupine.Other prairie plants include June grass,little bluestem grass, sand primrose,bird’s-foot violet, western sunflowerand cream wild indigo. Shrubs such asAmerican hazelnut and New Jersey Teaprovide singing platforms for manygrassland birds including Field andVesper sparrow, Nashville and PrairieWarblers, Indigo Bunting, and EasternTowhee. Directions: From Black River Falls, goeast 0.4 miles on Hwy. 54, then east3.8 miles on West Bauer Road, thennorth 0.2 miles on Brockway Road to aparking area east of the road.

Bauer Brockway Barrens State Natural Area

34

Phone: 715/284-4130 or 284-1417Web site: dnr.wi.govSignature species: Bald Eagle,Timber Wolf & Karner bluebutterfly.Gazetteer: Page 50, B-4.Seasonality: Open all year.Parking: Parking lots throughoutproperty.Nearest food & lodging: InBlack River Falls.

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12 94

Black River State Forest

Millston

N. SETTLE

MENT RD

STA

NTO

N C

REE

K R

D.

To Tomah


The Black River State Forest covers67,000 acres in the heart of JacksonCounty. Unusual and unique geologicalfeatures make the property unlike anyother Wisconsin state forest.Unglaciated buttes, sandstone hills andbluffs like Castle Mound are fun andinteresting to explore. Dike 17 is con-sidered by many to be the jewel of thisstate forest. The 3700- acre area isnearly half wildlife refuge. It harborssome unusual endangered and threat-ened species including massasauga rat-tlesnakes, timber wolves and Karnerblue butterfies. Ospery and Bald Eaglescan be seen overhead.Directions: From the intersection ofI-94 and Cty. O in Millston, travel easton Cty. O into the southern part of theforest, then turn north to Dike 17 on N.Settlement Road. From Black River Falls,Hwys. 54, 27 or 12 can take you northor south into the property. Follow Hwy.12 to Castle Mound Park.

Black River State Forest & Dike 17

33

Phone: 715/284-1400 (DNR)Web site: dnr.wi.govSignature species: Timber Wolf,Golden-winged Warblers &Yellow-bellied FlycatcherGazetteer: Page 51, C-5Seasonality: Gravel roads areimpassable in winter and at frostbreak-up in spring – use pavedroads only at these times.Note: This property is in privateownership; Wisconsin trespasslaws apply. Nearest food & lodging: InMillston, Tomah or Black RiverFalls

Bear BluffPeatlands

BEAR BLUFF RD

CR

AN

BER

RY

RD

To Cty O

Hunters PeakReservoir

JuleaneReservoir

The Bear Bluff Peatlands is a large andremote area of bogs, marshes, tama-rack and spruce forests, upland oakforests and fens. The landscape is flatwith scattered bluffs and mounds.Upland areas are a good place to findBlack-billed Cuckoos and ScarletTanagers. In the marshes, look forGreen-winged Teal and HoodedMergansers. The fens and peatlandshost White-throated Sparrows, andHermit, Nashville and ConnecticutWarblers. Common Raven and Golden-crowned Kinglets are found in the areasdominated with spruce trees. GoldenEagles winter here along with Sharp-tailed Grouse and Northern Saw-whetOwls.Directions: Located east of Millstonbetween the tiny towns of City Pointand Mather. Access the area fromMillston via Cty. O and W. Bear BluffRoad (east-west), or from CranberryRoad (north-south), a paved road alongthe Juneau/Jackson County line.

Bear Bluff Peatlands

33333322

35

Phone: 715/284-1400Web site: dnr.wi.govSignature Species: Broad-wingedHawk, Blue-headed Vireo andRose-breasted Grosbeak.Gazetteer: Page 50, B-2.Seasonality: Open all year.Parking: Parking lot provided.Nearest food & Lodging: InBlack River Falls.

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94

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Castle MoundPine ForestSNA

BlackRiverFalls

W. CASTLE MOUND RD.

To Tomah

To Eau Claire

River

Blac

k

Castle Mound Park is just south of thecity of Black River Falls. It is named forthe 400-year-old Cambrian sandstonebutte that rises 180 feet above the sur-rounding sand plain. Cliffs up to 30feet high chisel the park’s central back-bone ridge. Boulders litter the forestfloor beneath red and white pine, oak,birch, maple and aspen. Plants likelarge-leaved aster, wintergreen and par-tridge berry make up the ground layervegetation. The Red-breasted Nuthatch,pine warbler, solitary vireo and Black-throated Green Warblers are foundhere. Also seen are Broad-wingedHawks, Ovenbirds and Scarlet Tanagers.Directions: From Black River Falls, goeast on Hwy. 12 for 0.7 miles to theentrance of Castle Mound Park, thenwest on the access road to the picnicarea parking lot. A trail leads to theobservation tower.

Castle Mound Pine Forest State Natural Area

Jackson County

36

Phone: 715/284-1400Web site: dnr.wi.govSignature Species: Veery, Red-breasted Nuthatch, and PileatedWoodpecker.Gazetteer: Page 50, 4-C.Seasonality: Open all year.Parking: Parking area provided.Nearest food & lodging: InBlack River Falls or Tomah.

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Jay CreekPine Forest

SNA

STR

AIG

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AR

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E STARLIGHT RD

To Millston

Creek

Jay

This property is a mix of wet to drypinewoods developed on the flat andpoorly drained soils of extinct GlacialLake Wisconsin. The uplands are anorthern dry-mesic forest of red andwhite pines, red maples and whiteoaks. Of special interest is a site thatruns along Jay Creek, a fast moving,cold-water stream populated by brooktrout. This unusual community is awhite pine and red maple swamp thatgrows on the gently sloping wet sandalong the creek. Black spruce is a com-mon tree near the stream along withpaper and yellow birch and some tama-rack. Interesting birds found hereinclude Ovenbird, Pine, Canada andBlack-throated Green Warbler and Blue-headed Vireo.Directions: From Millston, go east 6.5miles on Cty. O, then south 2,8 mileson Straight Arrow Road, then east 0.8miles on E. Starlight Road to a parkingarea north of the road. Walk northalong an old access lane.

Jay Creek Pine Forest State Natural Area

Wazee Lake Recreation AreaThe newest and largest County Park inJackson County is Wazee LakeRecreation Area. The 1,300 propertywas the former Jackson County IronMine and Wazee Lake was the quarry.The lake is thedeepest inlandlake in the stateand is a populardestination forscuba diving.Miles of hikingtrails and gravelbike trails willtake you throughprairies andforests. Wazee Lake is a clear, deep,non-motor lake that is great for fishing.It attracts many kinds of waterfowl,eagles and Osprey. Directions: From the intersection of I-94 and Hwy. 54 in Black River Falls, goeast on 54 for .4 mile, then east onWest Bauer Road 3.8 miles, then southon South Brockway Road to theentrance.

Phone: 715-284-3171Web site:www.wisconline.com/counties/JacksonSignature species: Osprey,Grasshopper Sparrow, WoodThrush.Gazetteer: Page 50, B-3.Seasonality: Open all year.Parking: Parking lots provided.Nearest food & lodging: InBlack River Falls.Fees: Camping fees apply

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Wazee LakeRecreation Area

W. CASTLE MOUND RD.

N. B

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CK

WA

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D.

W. BAUER RD.


Grasshopper Sparrow.

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Black River State Forest.

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33553344

La Crosse CountyMuch of La Crosse County is a maze of steep ridge-lines and valleys known as “coulee country.” It’s apart of Wisconsin that was not flattened by the lastglacier some 14,000 years ago. It’s wooded, seclud-ed, and less traveled – practically perfect for birding.

In La Crosse, stop at the Wisconsin WelcomeCenter on I-90 (eastbound) for free, statewide trav-el literature, maps, directions and advice (608/783-6403, www.travelwisconsin.com). Grandad Bluff, a

beautiful park atop the bluffs flanking La Crosse, offersGrandad Bluff, a beautiful park atop those bluffs, offers astunning view of three states: Wisconsin, Minnesota and Iowa.Classic steam paddlewheelers still ply the river here: enjoy acruise aboard the La Crosse Queen (608/784-8523,www.greatriver.com/laxqueen), or the Julia Belle Swain(800/815-1005, www.juliabelle.com). City Brewery, once theHeileman’s Old Style Brewery, offers tours (608/785-4283,www.citybrewery.com). Historians will like Hixon House, theVictorian home of a former lumber baron (608/782-1980). Thekids will like the Children’s Museum of La Crosse (608/784-2652, www.childmuseumlax.org).

Just north of I-90, Onalaska is a central trailhead for a pairof railbed biking trails: the Great River State Trail and the La Crosse River State Trail (608/781-9570, www.wiparks.net).

Goose Island County ParkThis county park is an island in theMississippi River and is in the heart ofthe La Crosse District of the UpperMississippi River National Wildlife andFish Refuge. It is a wonderful spot tospend a day or more exploring the areaon land or by water. On the canoe trail,signs will direct you along a markedtrail through the sloughs and backwa-ters surrounding this wooded island.Exploring the island by water is a greatway to see muskrat, mink and deer.Goose Island is large and has 400campsites that are available by reserva-tion. There are many family-based activ-ities here, but there is enough land toaccommodate birders and wildlife view-ers who appreciate quiet landscapes.This property is a great place to stopand pick up some waterfowl as well assongbirds and raptors for your checklist.

Directions: Take Hwy. 35, 3 miles south of La Crosse to the junctionwith Cty. K and follow the main road west into the park.

Phone: 608-788-7018Web site: www.co.la-crosse.wi.usSignature Species: ProthonotaryWarblers. Gazetteer: Page 40, B-1. Seasonality: Open all year.Parking: Parking Provided.Nearest food & lodging: In La Crosse/Goose IslandCampground.

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38 40 McGilvray Bridges & Van Loon State Wildlife Area

The 4,000-acre Van Loon State WildlifeArea contains six historic McGilvray archtruss bridges over the Black River builtcirca 1892. Hiking the paths from onebridge to the next is a wonderful wayto see the bottomlands as well as all ofthe region’s woodpecker species, BaldEagle and Red-shouldered Hawks. Thevast bottomlands offer year-round bird-ing opportunities. In spring, high waterin the Black River makes much of theland along Hwy. 53 impassable.However, the highway still offers goodvisual access to the landscape. Directions: Take Hwy. 53 north fromOnalaska to Amsterdam Prairie Road toa parking lot for the McGilvray bridges.The trail from the first bridge to thesixth bridge and back is 3.7 miles inlength. Van Loon can be accessed byfoot or boat from numerous parkinglots and a boat landing along Hwy. 53.

Phone: 608/785-9000Web site: dnr.wi.gov orwww.7bridgesrd.org Signature Species: IndigoBunting and American RedstartWarblers.Gazatteer: Page 49, D-6.Seasonality: Open all year.Parking: Gravel parking lots.Nearest food & lodging: InTrempealeau, Onalaska & La Crosse.

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39 Hixon Forest Nature Center, La CrosseRiver Marsh, Riverside Park & Myrick ParkPhone: 608/784-0303Web site:www.bigfoot.com/~hfnc Signature Species: Yellow-throated Vireo, Great Egret andLincoln SparrowGazetteer: Page 40, B-1.Seasonality: Properties opendawn to dusk all year; NatureCenter open Mon-Fri 9am-4pm,Sat-Sun 1-4 pm.Parking: Parking lots at eachproperty.Nearest food & lodging: In LaCrosse.

The best birding in La Crosse is foundin this group of city parks that collec-tively offer more than 800 acres.Hiking trails access bluffs, wetlands,woodlands and native prairies. Hike tothe top of Grandad Bluff, the city’s sig-nature overlook with exceptional viewsof the Mississippi River. You can evenobserve wildlife from floating observa-tion platforms in the marsh.

The Hixon Forest Nature Center isan area hub for maps, educational dis-plays, and naturalist programs. The five-mile-long River to Bluff Trail runs fromthe bluffs of Hixon Forest to RiversidePark on the Mississippi River. The trailcuts through the La Crosse River Marsh.It’s a great way to see this secludedarea. Birds vary with the habitat andinclude terns, Great Egrets and VirginiaRails in the wetlands, PileatedWoodpeckers and thrushes in thewoodlands.Directions: The Hixon Forest NatureCenter is located at 2702 Quarry Road.

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MyrickPark

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33773366

La Crosse County

41 Norskedalen Nature & Heritage CenterPhone: 608/452-3424Web site: www.norskedalen.orgSignature Species: Black-billedCuckoo, Tufted Titmouse &Eastern Bluebird.Gazetteer: Page 40, C-2.Seasonality: Nature trails open allyear. Nature center open summerMon-Sat 10am-6pm, Sun noon-6pm; winter Mon-Fri 10am-4pm,Sun noon-4pm. Parking: Parking lots.Fee: Admission fees apply. Nearest food & lodging: InCoon Valley, 3 miles south on Cty.PI.

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CoonValley

Coon

Cree

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To LaCrosse

“The Norwegian Valley,” orNorskedalen, is a 400-acre cultural andhistoric site that includes a modern visi-tor center and museum, severalrestored log pioneer farmsteads, andfive miles of hik-ing/cross-coun-try ski trails. Thetrails meanderthrough a vari-ety of habitatsthat are attrac-tive to manyspecies of birdsand animals.The flatter landson these“Coulee” parcels (noted for their steepridges and valleys) were once farmed.Today, these grassy fields attract mead-owlarks, Sedge Wrens and Bobolinks.The property’s woodlands and ravinesare home to Great Crested Flycatchers,White-eyed Vireo and BaltimoreOrioles.Directions: Located 3 miles north ofCoon Valley on Cty. PI.

Bobolink.M

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Bekkam Farmstead at Norskedalen in winter.

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42 Upper Mississippi River National Wildlife & Fish Refuge - La Crosse District

The Upper Mississippi River NationalWildlife & Fish Refuge is one of thelargest wildlife refuges in the US withover 200,000 acres of land and wateralong 260 miles of river. The scenicrefuge protects habitat along thisimportant migratory bird corridor, pro-vides places for people to recreate andleads the traveler through scenic riverchannels and to secluded islands.Observation decks and a visitor centerwelcome the public to this beautifulpublic resource.The La Crosse District area of therefuge is comprised of 46,608 acres ofland that covers 35 miles of the UpperMississippi River Valley and includesNavigation Pools number 7 and 8. Thebird list for the refuge contains 265species and covers everything from rap-tors to songbirds. You can access therefuge from many sites along the Great

River Road, which is Hwy. 53. There are numerous pull-off areasalong the road with interpretive signs and observation decks. Or, youcan begin your adventure by visiting the visitor center to get mapsand additional information on the resource. Directions: The visitor center is located east of the Mississippi River inthe City of La Crosse at 555 Lester Avenue. From I-90, exit south onHwy. 16 and travel to Theater Road. Turn right onto Theater road andcontinue to Rudy Street. Turn on to Rudy St. and proceed to LesterAvenue and the USFWS building.

Phone: 608-783-8405Web site:www.fws.gov/midwest/lacrosseSignature Species: CanvasbackDucks & Tundra Swans.Gazetteer: Page 40, B-1.Seasonality: Open all year.Parking: Parking lots provided.Nearest food & lodging: In LaCrosse, Alma & Trempealeau.

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Fall color along the Mississippi near Onalaska.

33993388

Pepin County

43

Pepin County is defined by Lake Pepin, a 28-mile-long, three-mile-wide bulge in the MississippiRiver. This natural lake is one of the most popularsailing and boating sections on the UpperMississippi. It is formed by the delta of theChippewa River, which backs-up the Mississippimuch like a natural dam.

Pepin is also famous as the hometown of LittleHouse in the Big Woods author Laura Ingalls

Wilder, who was born on a farm near here in 1867. The towncelebrates its Wilder legacy year-round at the Laura IngallsWilder Museum (800/442-3011, www.pepinwisconsin.com),and at a wayside replica of the Wilder “little house.” InSeptember, “Laura Days” brings special readings, look-alike con-tests, food and fun. The town’s logging, steamboating and rail-road history is hold in the Pepin Depot Museum (715/442-6501, www.pepinwisconsin.com).

Away from the Mississippi, the county follows the ChippewaRiver inland to Durand, the county seat, where you’ll find a pairof boat launches on the river, a golf course and a city swimmingpool. Durand is also the western trailhead for the ChippewaRiver State Trail, a 29.5-mile biking/hiking trail that follows theriver all the way to Eau Claire (888/523-3866,www.wiparks.net).

Chippewa River State TrailThe Chippewa River State Trail is a26.5-mile railbed trail that meanderswith the river from Durand to EauClaire. Gray Catbirds, Indigo Buntingsand Red-shouldered Hawks are easy tospot along this trail. Several bridgesalong the way make for an interestinghike and are great to photograph. Along the way, the Red Cedar andChippewa Rivers meet about sevenmiles northeast of Durand. From thatjunction, the Red Cedar State Trail runsnorth 14 miles to Menomonie. The RedCedar River valley glides through steeprock walls and lush forests. Belted-Kingfishers dive from lofty perches tofeed on small fish along the river andthe songs of Scarlet Tanagers, EasternWood-Pewee and Whip-poor-wills canbe heard along the way.Directions: Trailheads can be found inDurand and Eau Claire.

Phone: 715/232-1242Web site: dnr.wi.govSignature Species: EasternKingbird, Belted Kingfisher,Willow Flycatcher.Gazetteer: Page 60, C-1.Seasonality: Open all year.Parking: Parking lots provided.Nearest food & lodging: InDurand, Menomonie and EauClaire.Fee: A trail pass is required for alluses except hiking.

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44 Lower Chippewa River State Natural AreaThe Lower Chippewa River StateNatural Area features the largest con-centration (2,000 acres) of remainingprairies and savannas in the state.You’ll find this habitat on floodplainislands in the river channel and in thesurrounding hillsides. The largest con-tiguous floodplain forest in theMidwest is located in Tiffany BottomsState Wildlife Area, south of Durand.The birds found here reflect this rarity.They include the state-threatened Red-shouldered Hawk, Cerulean andHooded Warblers and Yellow-crownedNight Herons. Seventy percent of all thefish species in the state find habitat inthe Chippewa and Red Cedar Riversincluding the rare paddlefish. Directions: This State Natural Areatotals 15,000 acres scattered amongmany sites along the Chippewa andRed Cedar Rivers in Pepin, Buffalo andDunn Counties. Sites are marked withDNR State Natural Area signs. Twoparking lots are found 3 miles south ofPepin on the east side of Hwy 35.

Phone: 715/232-1517Web site: dnr.wi.govSignature Species: Paddlefish,Acadian Flycatcher & brittleprickly pear cactus.Gazetteer: Page 58.Seasonality: Open all year.Parking: Parking Areasthroughout area.Nearest food & lodging: InDurand and Menomonie.

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Plum City

Nelson

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PIERCE CO.

PEPIN CO.

M I N N E S O T A

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BUFFALO CO.

PEPIN CO.

Acadian Flycatcher.

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47 Freedom Park Learning CenterLocated at the confluence of the St.Croix and Mississippi Rivers, FreedomPark is one of the best places to bird-watch in the area. The large number ofhawks, songbirds and raptors thatmigrate through this area in the springand fall are impressive. This bluff-toplocation gives you a fantastic view ofthe river for many miles to the northand south. In late winter and intospring, Bald Eagles are seen here ingood numbers. The eagles follow themelting ice as it recedes, and they arejoined on their journey north by largenumbers of Red-shouldered, Broad-winged and Red-tailed Hawks in migra-tion. (The Freedom Park Learning Center willbe constructed in 2005-6. It will be awonderful place to learn about the his-tory, geology and nature of the region.) Directions: From the Prescott bridge,take Hwy. 35 south to Monroe Street.Turn right on Monroe and travel .6 mileto the park entrance.

Phone: 715/262-5544Web site:http://prescottwi.org/prescott.htmlSignature Species: Bald Eagles& Turkey Vultures.Gazeteer: Page 58, B-2.Seasonality: Open all year.Parking: Parking lot provided.Nearest food & lodging: InPrescott.

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Nine Mile Island State Natural AreaAccessible only by canoe, Nine MileIsland lies within the Chippewa Riverand Nine Mile Slough ecosystem. Mostof this 900-acre island is floodplain for-est. Silver maple, green ash and swampwhite oak mix with silver maple andriver birch attracting Cerulean, Black-and white and Prothonotary warblersalong with Red-shouldered Hawks. Thenortheast corner of the island is sandywith high quality oak barrens of Hill’s,burr and red oaks. Here one can findField and Lark Sparrows and GrayCatbirds. Prairie plants like the whitewild indigo, stiff goldenrod and roughblazing-star grow among big and littlebluestem grasses and three species ofdrop-seed. Directions: Located just north ofDurand, The main portion of the natu-ral area is accessible by canoe. FromDurand, go northeast 2.5 miles onHwy. 85, then north 2.1 miles on Cty.M to a carry-in canoe landing. Park onthe road.

Maiden Rock Bluff State Natural AreaMaiden Rock Bluff overlooks Lake Pepinand is one of Wisconsin’s premierelimestone cliff faces high above theMississippi River. Extending for nearly amile, the 400-foot-high bluff is hometo nesting Peregrine Falcons; one ofonly six bluffs on the Mississippi Riverwhere the falcons successfully nest.Hairbell, slender lip fern and manyother cliff dwelling plants grow herealong with 250-year-old red cedars.The open cliff andadjacent dry prairieprovide habitat forrare prairie plants.The rocky bluff pro-vides huntingperches and habitatfor other raptorsincluding GoldenEagles, Bald Eagles and Turkey Vultures.

Directions: From Stockholm, go north 0.7 miles on Cty. J, then north-west one mile on Cty. E, then west on Long Lane 0.7 miles to the site.

Phone: 715/232-1517Web site: dnr.wi.govSignature Species: PeregrineFalcon, Bald Eagle, & TurkeyVulture.Gazetteer: Page 58, C-1.Seasonality: Open all year.Parking: Parking area at site.Nearest food & lodging: InStockholm.

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Phone: 715/232-1517Web site: dnr.wi.govSignature Species: Prothonotaryand Black-and white Warblers.Gazetteer: Page 60, C-1.Seasonality: Open all year.Parking: Boat landing on island.Nearest food & lodging: InDurand.

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Pierce CountyPierce County is rivers; seven rivers and eightcreeks, to be exact. Walleye, bass and panfishaction is good on the Mississippi, while the coun-ty’s Kinnickinnic and Rush Rivers are a pair of thefinest trout waters in the Midwest.

The Mississippi and St. Croix Rivers form thecounty’s western border. They meet at Prescott.From an overlook in Mercord Mill Park down-town, visitors can clearly see the line where the

blue waters of the St. Croix join the dun-colored Mississippi. Thecity’s Welcome & Heritage Center is a good place to get areatravel information and see exhibits of local history (715/262-3284, www.prescottwi.com).

In the northwestern corner of the county, KinnickinnicState Park is popular with boaters who enjoy the large, sandydelta where the Kinnickinnic meets the Mississippi River(715/425-1129, www.wiparks.net). In the county’s northeasterncorner, visit Crystal Cave just south of Spring Valley (800/236-2283, www.cavern.com/crystalcave). Open April thoughOctober, the cave descends about seventy feet and is nearly4,000 feet long, the longest in Wisconsin.

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48 Kinnickinnic State Park & Delta State Natural Area

Kinnickinnic State Park straddles thelarge sandy delta where theKinnickinnic River meets the St. CroixRiver. This 1,239-acre park offerspanoramic views of the river gorge aswell as secluded hiking trails that tra-verse both prairie and upland forestsholding Sedge Wrens, Bobolinks,Eastern Kingbirds, Clay-colored andGrasshopper Sparrows, Pine andMourning Warblers, and EasternBluebirds. There is a large swimmingarea and boat-in camping at the delta.The river here stays open all winter longholding Common Mergansers, CanadaGeese and Common Goldeneyes. BaldEagles also use the area year around.The 100-acre Kinnickinnic River Gorgeand Delta State Natural Area is a deepvalley of sandstone and limestone cutby glacial drift. This undisturbed rivervalley holds an amazing variety of birds;more than 200 species have been sight-ed in the park, and 120 of these usethe park for nesting.

Directions: From River Falls, take Hwys. 29/35 south one mile, thenwest on Cty. FF five miles, then north on Cty. F one mile, then weston Cedar View Road one mile to the park.

Phone: 715/425-1129Web site: www.wiparks.net Signature species: NorthernWaterthrush, CommonMergansers and BlackburnianWarblers.Gazetteer: Page 58, B-2.Seasonality: Open all year.Parking: Parking lots provided.Nearest food & lodging: InRiver Falls, 7 miles east.Fee: State Park fees apply.

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50 Nugget Lake County ParkNugget Lake County Park is a 752-acresemi-wilderness park with a 116-acrelake as its centerpiece. It is located inan area of the county known by geolo-gists as the “Rock Elm (shale)Disturbance,” a four-mile diametersemicircular meteorite impact site. Thelarge asteroid landed in this area withthe energy equivalent of 63,000Hiroshima-sized bombs more than 400million years ago. The impact arearemained as a shallow sea for millionsof years. Nuggets of gold and dia-monds discovered near Nugget Lakeresulted in it’s name.There is a pair of nesting Bald Eagles onthe property. The woodlands hold manybirds including Blue-gray Gnatcatchers,Golden-winged Warblers and WoodThrush.Directions: From Plum City, go west2.5 miles on Hwy. 10 to Cty. CC, thennorth 3 miles on CC to Cty. HH 1.5miles to the park.

Phone: 715/639-5611Web site:www.co.pierce.wi.us/nugget_lake/nl_main.htmSignature Species: Bald Eagle,American Redstart Warblers andBarred Owl.Gazetteer: Page 59, C-7.Seasonality: Open all year.Parking: Parking lots provided.Nearest food & lodging: InPlum city, 4.5 miles south of thepark.Fees: Park fees apply.

Morgan Coulee Prairie State Natural AreaThis 54-acre property is a jewel; one ofthe last large-scale, mostly undisturbeddry prairies left in this part of the state.Morgan Coulee Prairie extends morethan a half-mile along a steep, south-facing bluff in a coulee opening ontothe Rush River Valley. The large prairieis broken with scattered islands of buroak savanna dominated by open grownoaks and shallow wooded draws.Grasses found here include big and lit-tle blue-stem, side-oats and prairiedrop-seed. Wildflowers, called forbes,include asters, milkweeds, bergamotand western sunflower. Shrubs includehazelnut, bettersweet, smooth sumac,and dogwoods. Darting among theflowers are Reakert’s blue butterflies. Directions: From Maiden Rock, gonorth on 385th Street 3.3 miles, theneast on 200th Avenue (Morgan Road).2 miles to the southwest corner of thesite.

Phone: 608/685-6222Web site: dnr.wi.gov Signature Species: EasternBluebird, Field Sparrow andEastern Kingbird.Gazetteer: Page 59, D-6.Seasonality: Open all year.Parking: Parking along the road.Nearest food & lodging: In BayCity, 9 miles east.

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51 Rush River Delta State Natural AreaThe Rush River Delta protects a flood-plain forest at the mouth of the RushRiver where it flows into Lake Pepin onthe Mississippi River. Lowland hard-woods dominate the 325-acre property.These floodplain forest areas are veryimportant to breeding birds like theRed-shouldered Hawk, AcadianFlycatcher, and Cerulean andProthonotary Warblers. The delta alsoholds a small Great Blue Heron rookery.A sand spit extending into Lake Pepinprovides nesting habitat for turtles andfeeding and nesting areas for shore-birds including Forester’s and CommonTerns. Mallard Ducks and Wood Ducksuse the areas extensively. Directions: From Maiden Rock, gonorthwest 1.3 miles on Hwy. 35 to aparking area at the junction with Cty.A. The natural area lies south of Hwy.35.

Phone: 608/685-6222Web site: dnr.wi.gov Signature Species: BaltimoreOriole, Yellow-throated vireo andAcadian Flycatcher.Gazetteer: Page 59, D-5.Seasonality: Open all year.Parking: Parking area provided.Nearest food & lodging: InMaiden Rock just a milesoutheast of the delta.

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Trenton Bluff Prairie State Natural AreaThis 110-acre site consists of two unitsof dry prairie situated on steep 300-foot Mississippi River sandstone bluffscapped by massive limestone cliffs.These are some of the best prairiesremaining in the region. The westernunit has two prairie openings with awooded draw running between them.The eastern unit is steeper with anopen cliff and oak woods. Bobolinks,Grasshopper and Clay-colored Sparrowsare found here along with hognosesnakes, olive hairstreak and Reakert’sblue butterflies. Bald Eagles and TurkeyVultures glide by on early morning andlate afternoon thermal winds and giveone a great opportunity to see thesebirds at bluff-top levels and admiretheir aerial skills. Directions: From the intersection ofHwy. 35 and Cty. VV north of HagerCity, go west 1.5 miles on Hwy. 35 to asmall pull-off in a wooded draw northof the road. For the eastern unit, travelnorth .4 miles on Cty. VV and parkalong the road. Walk due west throughthe woods and upslope to the prairie.

Phone: 608/685-6222Web site: www.dnr.state.wi.usSignature species: PeregrineFalcon, hognose snake, EasternKingbird.Gazetteer: Page 58, D-4.Seasonality: Open all year.Parking: Parking along roadside.Nearest food & lodging: InHager City 1.5 miles east, and inBay City 5 miles east.

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St. Croix CountySt. Croix County is, in many ways, Wisconsin’swestern gateway. At Hudson, I-94 links themetro-Minneapolis market with the lake countryof northwestern Wisconsin. The WisconsinWelcome Center in Hudson is a great place forstatewide and area travel information (715/386-2571, www.travelwisconsin.com).

Hudson is both a center for recreation withboating, fishing and swimming, and a historic site

with picturesque Victorian houses and parks. The center of thetown’s historic district is Octagon House, built in 1855 andnow a museum (715/386-2654). The city’s thriving downtown isgraced by the Phipps Center for the Arts (715/386-2305,www.thephipps.org).

North of Hudson, Somerset is a fun place, particularly on hotsummer days. Tubing on the Apple River has been Somerset’sbread-and-butter for decades. You’ll find a half-dozen friendlytubing outfitters and campgrounds.

In northeastern St. Croix County, the New RichmondHeritage Center showcases local history in a complex thatincludes an 1884 farmhouse and eight other historic buildings(888/320-3276, www.pressenter.com/~nrpsinc/). In Star Prairie,you can tour the Star Prairie Trout Farm (715/248-3633,www.starprairietrout.com). For a fee you can catch their brookand rainbow trout.

53 Cylon Marsh & Cylon Wildlife AreaCylon Marsh is a 513-acre site leasedby the DNR. It is located on the north-ern end of Cylon Wildlife Area, a2,345-acre property. The combinationof the two provides marsh, old fields,woodlands and wetlands for a goodvariety of wildlife. Woodcock can beobserved during their courtship flightsin the spring. RuffedGrouse, pheasants anda variety of waterfowlcan also be foundhere. Birding alongthe trails will produceSong Sparrows,Eastern Kingbirds andWillow Flycatchers.Abundant wild berriesgrow here. Directions: From Deer Park, travelsouth on Hwy 46 for .5 mile to 222ndAvenue. Turn left and travel 1 mile tothe property.

Phone: 715/684-2914Web site: dnr.wi.govSignature Species: Woodcockand Ruffed Grouse.Gazetteer: Page 71, C-6.Seasonality: Open all year.Parking: Parking lots provided inseveral locations.Nearest food & lodging: InDeer Park or New Richmond.

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55 Oak Ridge Lake & National WaterfowlProduction Area (WPA)

At 149 acres, Oak Ridge Lake is a majorstopover lake during migration forTundra and Trumpeter Swans. Manytypes of ducks, herons and egrets stayhere all summer. Mallards, Green andBlue-wing Teal, and Northern Shoveleruse the grasslands for nesting and reartheir young on the lake. As you drivearound the property, look for Short-eared Owls, Northern Harriers andGrasshopper and Clay-coloredSparrows, Dickcissels, WillowFlycatchers, Sedge Wrens, Yellow-head-ed Blackbirds and Long-billed MarshWrens. WPA properties are purchasedwith the monies hunters spend on fed-eral and state Duck Stamps and aremanaged for the production and har-vest of waterfowl.Direction: From New Richmond travelnorth 3.5 miles on Hwy. 65, then east 3miles on 220th Avenue to Oak RidgeLake.

Phone: 715/684-2914Web site: dnr.wi.govSignature Species: Le Conte’sSparrow, Short-eared Owls andNorthern Harriers.Gazetteer: Page 71, C-4.Parking: Parking areas provided.Nearest food & lodging: InNew Richmond, six milessouthwest.

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54 Eau Galle Lake Recreation AreaThis 630-acre property offers a pair ofday-use areas and a campground. A150-acre lake, swimming beach, hikingtrails, boat launch and good fishingmake it a popular summer destination.Eau Galle Lake hosts resident BaldEagles and Osprey. Broad-wingedHawks, American Kestrels and GreatHorned Owls nest in the woods alongwith the Wood Thrush, Eastern Pewee,Indigo Bunting American Woodcock,Ruffed Grouse, Black-billed Cuckoo,and Ruby-throated Hummingbirds. Onthe water you might spot a BeltedKingfisher, Sora, Virginia Rail, GreatBlue Heron, Great Egret, and SpottedSandpiper. Along the Ox Trail, you’llfind a nice mix of warblers includingBlack-and-white, American Redstart,Yellow and Chestnut-sided. Directions: Exit I-94 at exit 25, (Hwy.B south) for 5.25 miles to Pierce-St.Croix Road. Turn east 1.5 miles and fol-low signs to Main Day Use Area.

Phone: 715/778-5562Web site:www.mvp.usace.army.milSignature Species: Bald Eagle &Osprey.Gazetteer: Page 59, B-6.Seasonality: Open all year.Parking: Parking lots throughoutproperty.Nearest food & lodging: InSpring Valley just south of thepark.Fees: User fees apply.

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56 St. Croix Islands State Wildlife AreaThe Apple River and St. Croix Rivercome together in a delta called the St.Croix Islands. These scattered oak andmaple tree-covered islands range in sizeand are easy to access by canoe orkayak from the St. Croix River. Duringthe spring migration nearly every typeof duck, goose or swan in Wisconsintravels through this area. This importantmigratory route also serves manyspecies of raptors including Bald Eagles,Osprey, Red-shouldered Hawk, TurkeyVultures, and Northern Harriers.Wooded corridors along the AppleRiver hold Wood Thrush, Winter Wren,Pileated and Red-headed Woodpeckers,Eastern Towhees and LouisianaWaterthrush. Summer nesters includethe Ruddy Duck, Green-wing teal andAmerican Bitterns. Osprey nest herealso along with Bald Eagles and GreatBlue Herons.Directions: To access the area, takeCty. I northwest 3 miles to 210thAvenue.

Phone: 715/684-2914Web site: dnr.wi.govSignature Species: Ring-neckedDuck, Canvasback Duck and BaldEagle.Gazetteer: Page 70, C-3.Seasonality: Open year round.Parking: Parking lot provided.Nearest food & lodging: InSomerset, three miles southeast.

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58 Willow River State Wildlife Area & ThreeLakes National Waterfowl Production Area

Prairie potholes are small, shallow lakesthat are somewhat rare in Wisconsin.Surrounded by open grassland, they areirresistible to marshland songbirds andwaterfowl of all types. The Willow RiverSNA and Three Lakes are a collection ofsmall lakes that attract Ruddy Ducks,Blue-wing, Northern Shoveler andCanada Geese in good numbers.Herons and egrets and gulls use thearea along with Pied-billed Grebes. Inthe grasslands surrounding the pot-holes, you’ll find Sedge Wrens,Dickcissels, Bobolinks, WesternMeadowlarks, and Common Yellow-throated Warblers, as well asGrasshopper Sparrows, NorthernHarriers and Short-eared Owls.Directions: Take Cty. A north fromWillow River State Park one mile toBurkhardt Rd. east to Cty. E. Then fol-low E east for one mile. The lakes willbe south of the road.

Phone: 715/684-2914Web site: dnr.wi.govSignature Species: Yellow-headed Blackbirds and BlackTerns.Gazetteer: Page 70, D-3.Seasonality: Open all year.Parking: Parking lots provided.Nearest food & lodging: InHudson, about 6 milessouthwest.

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57 Willow River State ParkAt 2,891 acres, Willow River State Parkhas varied habitats to explore. Theprairies provide good looks atGrasshopper and Clay-coloredSparrows, Eastern and WesternMeadowlarks, Bobolinks and SedgeWrens. Along the edges of the prairiesin the shrub layer, look for GrayCatbirds, House Wrens, and IndigoBuntings. Fields and woodlands holdEastern Bluebirds, Tree Swallows,Scarlet Tanagers and Rose-breastedGrosbeaks. The park itself offers acampground, Little Falls Lake, a boatlaunch, swimming beach, nature centerand gift shop. Panoramic views of the Willow Riverwaterfall and Willow River Gorge canbe enjoyed from several trails and over-looks.Directions: Exit I-94 at exit 4. Gonorth 3.2 miles on Hwy. 12, Cty. U andCty. A to the park entrance.

Phone: 715/386-5931Web site: www.wipark.netSignature species: Henslow’sSparrow, Yellow –rumpedWarblers and Meadowlarks.Gazetteer: Page 70, D-3.Seasonality: Open all year.Parking: Parking lots provided.Nearest food & lodging: InHudson just south of the park.Fee: Park fees apply.

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Trempealeau CountyTrempealeau County is the Mississippi River… anda whole lot more.

The city of Trempealeau is the county’s onlymunicipality on the river. From an observation plat-form on the Mississippi, you can watch the rivertraffic “lock-through” at Lock & Dam No. 6. Justwest of town, Perrot State Park offers 1,270-acres of fun (608/534-6409, www.wiparks.net).Choose from 98 campsites, hike 15 miles of trail,

fish the Mississippi, or climb 500-foot Brady’s Bluff. Just west ofPerrot, the Trempealeau National Wildlife Refuge sprawlsacross 5,000 acres along the river’s backwaters (608/539-2311,www.fws.gov/midwest/trempealeau).

Just north of the river, apple orchards lovely in spring blos-som surround Galesville. Along the county’s western border,Arcadia is the home of the Ashley Furniture Company, whoseowner financed the city’s Memorial Park. The park’s “Avenueof Heroes Walk” is an impressive 54-acre tribute to Americanveterans with statues and memorials to each of our nation’swars, including the 9/11 tragedy.

Whitehall, in the center of the county, is the county seat.The city boasts a central square complete with old-fashionedgazebo, a golf course, and aquatic center. Osseo, in the north-eastern corner of the county, is famous as the original home ofthe Norske Nook, famous for its mouth-watering pies.

Great River State Trail - TrempealeauTrempealeau straddles the west end ofthe Great River State Trail, a formerrailbed trail that runs 24 miles fromOnalaska to Marshland. It is the finalleg of a four-trail system that stretches101 miles from central Wisconsin to theMississippi. In Trempealeau County, thetrail meanders north through PerrotState Park and on to the TrempealeauNational Wildlife Refuge. Or, you canride it southeast to Onalaska in LaCrosse County and enjoy the trekthrough Mississippi River bottomlands.The wilderness aspect of this trail willproduce many fine birds including Blue-gray Gnatcatchers, PileatedWoodpecker, Brown Thrashers andBobwhite Quail.Directions: Follow Hwy. 35 to the east-ern edge of Trempealeau. There, on thewest side of the road, you’ll find a well-marked parking lot and large sign thatinterprets the trail.

Phone: 608/534-6409Web site: www.wiparks.netSignature Species: Sandhillcranes, White-eyed vireos andAlder Flycatchers.Gazetteer: Page 48, D-4.Seasonality: Open all year.Parking: Trailhead parking lots inTrempealeau and Onalaska.Nearest food & lodging: InTrempealeau and Onalaska.

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Trempealeau Lakes State Wildlife AreaThe Trempealeau Lakes State WildlifeArea is only 164 acres in size, but has amix of habitats that draw a nice varietyof animals and birds. The lakes are sep-arated from the Mississippi River bymarshes and are ringed with floodplainforests of maple and river birch. Canoeor hike the area to see cuckoos, Red-shouldered Hawk and BeltedKingfishers. Great Horned and BarredOwls nest here along with Pileated andRed-bellied Woodpeckers. In the winter,springs keep part of the lakes open forbirds like the Great Blue Heron whosometimes winter here. Prairie restora-tions hold grassland birds includingSong Sparrows, Common Yellowthroatsand Willow Flycatchers. The lakes arehost to many species of waterfowl. Directions: From Trempealeau, takeHwy. 35 one mile east toward Lock &Dam #6. Cross the railroad tracks andturn left 1 mile to the entrance.

Phone: 715/284-1400Web site: dnr.wi.govSignature species: Bald Eaglesand Great Egrets.Gazetteer: Page 48, D-5.Seasonality: Open all year.Parking: Parking lot provided.Nearest food & lodging: InTrempealeau, 2 miles west.

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60 Perrot State ParkPerrot State Park covers 1,270 acresalong the Mississippi River just west ofTrempealeau. It is a mixture of woodedhills, bluffs, ravines and lagoons. Thepark is an excellent place to visit duringspring and fall birdmigrations offeringgood looks atmigrating water-fowl, songbirdsand Bald Eagles.The park encom-passes two statenatural areas:Brady’s Bluff Prairieis a 65-acre dryprairie found on the southwest facingslope of a steep bluff that rises nearly460 feet above the river; andTrempealeau Mountain State NaturalArea, a wooded rock formation thatrises 425 feet from the river. It is acces-sible by boat or canoe. Directions: From Trempealeau, gosouth on Main Street to South ParkRoad, then west to the park entrance.

Phone: 608/534-6409Web site: www.wiparks.net Signature Species: ScarletTanagers, Orchard Orioles andBald Eagles.Gazatteer: Page 49, D-5.Seasonality: Open all yearduring daylight hours – park feesapply.Parking: Parking lots throughoutarea.Nearest food & lodging: InTrempealeau.

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Trempealeau National Wildlife RefugeEstablished in 1936, this 6,220-acre USFish & Wildlife Service refuge is consid-ered one of the best bird watchingproperties in the Midwest with manyamenities including an interpretive cen-ter, boardwalks, observation platforms,and a well-marked auto tour. Therefuge’s uplands, bottomland hard-wood forest and marshes producegood birds in any season.Start your tour at the interpretive cen-ter where you can get maps and sea-sonal advice. White Pelicans and TundraSwans are a big draw in May, spendingseveral weeks on refuge marshes.Many people return in the fall to seePeregrine Falcons, Cinnamon Teal andrare Jaegers as they migrate south. Thebottomland hardwood forests offer upPileated Woodpeckers, Barred Owls andherons. The upland prairie harbors fieldsparrows, Bobolinks and meadowlarks.Marshland areas attract all types ofwater birds including rarities likeAmerican Avocets in the spring andGlossy Ibis in the fall.

Directions: From Trempealeau, drive north 4 miles on Hwy. 35 toCenterville where the road merges with Hwy. 54 and turns due west.Continue 2.5 miles on 35/54 to West Prairie Road, then .75 milessouth to Refuge Road.

Phone: 608/539-2311Web site:http://midwest.fws.gov/trempealeauSignature Species: Black Terns,Grasshopper Sparrow andAmerican Bittern.Gazetteer: Page 48, D-4.Seasonality: Open all yearduring daylight hours.Parking: Parking lots throughoutrefuge.Nearest food & lodging: InCenterville & Trempealeau.

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Genoa National Fish HatcheryPhone: 608/689-2605Web site:www.fws.gov/midwest/genoa/Signature Species: Dowitchers,plovers, herons and egrets.Gazetter: Page 40, D-1.Seasonality: Open year round.Parking: Parking lot.Nearest food & lodging: InGenoa, 4 miles north on Hwy 35.

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The Genoa National Fish Hatchery rears23 species of fish including trout,northern pike, and walleye. Guided andself-guided tours are offered. The areahas 17 open-airponds and 6 race-ways. Because ofits location at theconfluence of theBad Axe andMississippi Rivers,the La CrosseChapter of theAudubon Societyranks the hatch-ery as a top location for bird watching.On a walk among the rearing ponds,backwaters and sloughs you might seeGreat Egrets, Solitary Sandpipers, GreenHerons, resident Bald Eagles, andPileated and Red-headed Woodpeckers.Directions: Located along Hwy. 35,four miles south of Genoa.

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Vernon CountyVernon County is the heart of southwesternWisconsin’s “Coulee Country,” a region famousthroughout the Midwest for its excellent troutfishing. Fish more than 200 miles of cold-watertrout streams in a truly pastoral landscape.

Along the Mississippi River, Desoto in thesouthwestern corner of the county is the home ofBlackhawk Park & Recreation Area, one of thelargest campgrounds on the river with 150 camp-

sites (608/623-2707). Further north near Genoa, you can watchas river traffic passes through Lock & Dam No. 8.

Inland, Westby is a community that regularly celebrates itsdeep Norwegian roots. Downtown, visit Ocooch MountainAcres, an organic maple syrup and candy maker with a tastyproduct (800/253-3997, www.ocoochmountainacres.com).Viroqua, the county seat, offers an 18-hole golf course, a $3million indoor pool and aquatics center, and a downtown mix ofspecialty shops and anchor businesses.

The Kickapoo River snakes through eastern Vernon County.It’s a favorite with canoeists. You’ll find several outfitters inOntario. Wildcat Mountain State Park offers thirty campsitesand a terrific overlook of the river valley (608/337-4775,www.wiparks.net). The Kickapoo Valley Reserve is an 8,569-acre recreation area with camping, canoeing, horseback ridingtrails, and a brand-new visitor’s center ready to help you(608/625-2960, http:kvr.state.wi.us).

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Duck Egg County ForestAt 707 acres, Duck Egg County Forestis managed for timber. But it’s also aflood control project on the North Forkof the Bad Axe River. The Duck EggFlood Control Dam islarge; its spillways andpools attract water-fowl and herons.Hiking trails take youup steep valleys to ahilltop overlook of thespillways. The woodedhillsides are filled withwarblers in the springand fall and the wood-ed countryside pro-vides a colorful displayin the fall.Directions: From Hwy. 27 in Viroqua,travel north 3 miles to Cty. Y. Take Ywest (left) for 7.5 miles to Irish RidgeRoad and follow to marked entrance.

Phone: 608/637-5485Web site:http://lwcd.org/parks.htm Signature Species: Cooper’sHawk, Bald Eagles and EasternBluebirds.Gazetteer: Page 40, D-3.Seasonality: Open all year.Parking: Parking lot provided.Nearest food & lodging: InViroqua, 10 miles sourtheast.

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67 Wildcat Mountain State Park & Mt. PisgahHemlock-Hardwoods State Natural Area

This 3,600-acre park offers a variety ofhabitat. Oak, maple, birch, and poplardominate the forested valleys. Birds onthe property include Chestnut-sidedWarbler, Ovenbird and Rose-breastedGrosbeak. Within the park, Mt. PisgahHemlock-Hardwoods is accessed via theHemlock Trail south to the site. TheKickapoo River meanders here amongsteep bluffs with relict stands of hem-lock and yellow birch, with scatteredwhite pine. The sandstone cliffs supportrare plants and many interesting andhard to find species of birds such asLouisiana Waterthrush, Cerulean andKentucky Warblers, and AcadianFlycatcher. The views of the KickapooValley from the park’s observation over-looks are quite dramatic.Directions: From the intersection ofHwys. 131 and 33 in Ontario, go eastand south on Hwy 33 about 2.5 miles,then southwest on Park Road.

Phone: 608/337-4775 or608/785-9000Web Site: www.wiparks.netSignature Species: Eastern WoodPewee & Great Crested Flycatcher.Gazetter: Page 41, C-6.Seasonality: Open all year.Parking: Parking Lot at picnicarea.Fee: Park admission fees apply.Camping fees are additional.Nearest Food & Lodging: InOntario, 3 miles north on Hwy 33.

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66 Old Settler’s Park & Genoa Power PlantOld Settler’s Park is a wonderful placeto stop and view the Mississippi River,look for birds, or enjoy a leisurely pic-nic. From the park you can see TurkeyVultures and Red-tailed Hawks, Double-crested Cormorants, eagles, Osprey andPeregrine Falconsglide along thebluffs to the east.The Genoa PowerPlant, just south ofGenoa, has hostednesting PeregrineFalcons since 1998when a nest boxwas installed onthe southwest stack. You can park at aboat landing south of the plant. Lookfor adults in March through April, andthrough July if they’ve brought off abrood of young. Directions: Old Settlers Park is locatedalong Hwy. 35, two miles south ofGenoa. The Genoa Power Plant isfound on the southern edge of Genoa.

Phone: 608/689-2335 Web site:http://www.dairynet.com/ Signature Species: Ospreys andPeregrine Falcons Gazetter: Page 40, D-1.Seasonality: Open all year.Parking: Parking lot and picnicarea.Nearest food & lodging: InGenoa.

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65 Kickapoo Valley ReserveLocated in the heart of the DriftlessArea, the 8,600-acre reserve is a recre-ation area owned by the State ofWisconsin and the Bureau of IndianAffairs. The reserve’s habitat includesthe secluded valley of the KickapooRiver, its forested hillsides and sand-stone cliffs. Broad-winged Hawks,Winter Wrens and Black-throatedGreen Warblers can be found here. Theproperty’s northern border abutsWildcat Mountain State Park. Stop atthe reserve’s brand-new visitor centerfor maps and interpretive displays. Note: The reserve offers overnightcamping in several designated areas. Arelaxing float down the Kickapoo Riveris very popular; several businesses inOntario rent canoes and provide shuttleservices. Trout fishing on the area’smany streams is very good.Directions: The Kickapoo ValleyReserve Visitor Center is located onemile north of La Farge at S3661 StateHighway 131.

Phone: 608/625- 2960Web site: http://kvr.state.wi.usSignature Species: AcadianFlycatcher, Cerulean and KentuckyWarblers.Gazetter: Page 41, D-5.Seasonality: Reserve open year-round; the Visitor Center is opendaily MD-Oct, 8am- 4:30pm;closed Sun Oct-MD. Parking: Parking at visitor centerand day-use lots.Nearest food & lodging: In LaFarge 1.5 miles south, or Ontario4 miles north.

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County ContactsThese contacts, in each of the thir-teen counties in theMississippi/Chippewa Rivers region,are ready to help you plan your out-door adventure. They can suggestaccommodations and restaurants, aswell as attractions and other histori-cal, cultural and environmentalopportunities.

Buffalo County Clerk’s Office608/685-6209www.buffalocounty.com

Chippewa Valley CVB715/831-2345, 888/523-3866www.chippewavalley.net

Prairie du Chien Chamber ofCommerce608/326-8555, 800/732-1673www.prairieduchien.org

Grant County UWEX Office608/723-2125www.grantcounty.org/visitor

Black River Falls Area Chamber ofCommerce715/284-4658, 800/404-4008www.blackrivercountry.com

La Crosse Area CVB608/782-2366, 800/658-9424www.explorelacrosse.com

Pepin County Visitor Information715/672-5709, 888/672-5709www.pepinwisconsin.com

Pierce County Partners in Tourism,Inc.715/273-5864, 800/474-3723www.travelpiercecounty.com

Hudson Area Chamber ofCommerce & Tourism Bureau715/386-8411, 800/657-6775www.hudsonwi.org

Trempealeau County TourismCouncil608/534-6615, 800/927-5339www.trempealeaucountytourism.com

Vernon County Tourism Council608/637-2575www.visitvernoncounty.com

More Sources of Tourism Information

Wisconsin Welcome CentersThree Wisconsin Welcome Centersare located along the MississippiRiver. Operated by the WisconsinDepartment of Tourism, they canhelp you plan a local birding foray,or a two-week statewide vacation.You’ll find Welcome Centers in:

Prairie du Chien(at the Hwy. 18 bridge)608/326-2241, 800/432-8747www.travelwisconsin.com

La Crosse(at the I-90 rest area, eastboundonly)608/783-6403, 800/432-8747www.travelwisconsin.com

Hudson(Off I-94, exit 2)715/386-2571, 800/432-8747www.travelwisconsin.com

More Birding ResourcesNational Audubon Society800/542-2748www.audubon.org/states/wi

Trempealeau National WildlifeRefuge608/539-2311http://midwest.fws.gov/trempealeau

US Fish & Wildlife ServiceUpper Mississippi National Fish &Wildlife Refugewww.fws.gov/midwest/uppermissis-sippiriver

Wisconsin Department of NaturalResources608/266-2621www.dnr.wi.gov

Wisconsin Welcome Centers

The Wisconsin Department of Tourism operates tenWisconsin Welcome Centers (WWC) at major highwayentrances to thestate. They’re greatplaces to stop formaps, travel infor-mation, trip plan-ning, brochures andpublications, vaca-tion ideas, or just afriendly smile anddirections to thenearest restaurant.

Centers distributefree publicationsthat detail Wisconsinaccommodations,attractions, events, golfing, camping, biking, birding, stateparks, and historic attractions. You can also order thesefree publications on-line atwww.travelwisconsin.com,or call toll-free 800/432-8747.

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Prairie du Chien

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Top Ten Things Birdersmight want to bring ontheir next Wisconsin foray

10. Your clubs – Wisconsin hasmore than 400 golf courses availablefor public play. Can you say “Teetime?”

9. Your Creel – To put the trout inyou’re gonna catch on any ofWisconsin’s 2,444 cold waterstreams.

8. Your Camping Gear – You’llneed it at any of the 5,535 campsitesin Wisconsin’s 60 state parks andforests.

7. Your Swimming Suit – There’s amillion acres of water in Wisconsin.If that’s not enough, you may stay ata hotel with a pool. And if you’vebrought the kids/grandkids… canyou say “Waterpark?”

6. Your canoe – The better to besilent on any of Wisconsin’s 15,000lakes.

5. Your Bike – More than 1,000miles of surfaced bike trails through-out Wisconsin.

4. Your Antiquing Guide – Whoa,better bring the credit card too.

3. Your Camera – It’s gonna be gor-geous out there.

2. Your Appetite – For a cuppa Joe,a slice of pie and a little ala mode ata home-cookin’ café.

1. Your Gazetteer and Compass –Two things John Muir never forgot.

ER-070 2005

The Great Wisconsin Birding and Nature Trail benefits from andis supported by contributions to the Endangered Resources Fundthrough your Wisconsin income tax form, through the purchaseof Endangered Resources license plates for your vehicle, or by

direct donations to the Endangered Resources Program at; Endangered Resources Program

WDNR P.O. 7921

Madison, WI 75707 (608) 266-7012.

The Great Wisconsin Birding and Nature Trail Guide ispresented in part by the following sponsors.

For more information visit travelwisconsin.com

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