Category: Wisconsin Federal

Horicon National Wildlife Refuge
“At over 33,000 acres in size, Horicon Marsh is one of the largest freshwater marshes in the United States. Recognized as a Wetland of International Importance, as both Globally and State Important Bird Areas and a unit of the Ice Age Scientific Reserve, the marsh provides critical habitat for over 300 species of birds as well as muskrats, red foxes, turtles, frogs, bats, dragonflies, fish and much more.”
Here is the Refuge website.  Phone  920-387-2658  Hiking Trails    Map & Brochure
Horicon Habitat Hike “This trail is … marked with interpretive signs to introduce visitors to a variety of habitats and common wildlife of the area. A total of 26 signs introduce visitors to woodland, wetland and grassland habitats and their management. This trail offers easy walking and is surfaced with wood chips, mowed grass and gravel.”
Boardwalk is 0.25 miles and accessible.

There are several other short loop hikes: Quick’s Point Loop – 1.9 miles, Indermuehle Island Loop – 0.8 miles, and Bachhuber Loop – 2.3 miles   “Trails are all of easy grade, and relatively flat but are unsurfaced . Surface material is mowed grass and gravel and is not readily accessible by wheelchair or stroller.”

Trempealeau National Wildlife Refuge
The 6,446-acre Trempealeau National Wildlife Refuge lies along the eastern edge of the Mississippi River.  “It is an isolated backwater, cut off from the Mississippi and Trempealeau rivers by dikes. It is a resting and feeding area for waterfowl and other birds.”
Here is the Refuge website.  Phone  608-539-2311   Map
 4.5-mile self-guided Prairie’s Edge Tour Loop which is accessible by bikes, pedestrians and vehicles.
? There are two other short interpretive hiking trails.  Call first to be sure they are suitable for your abilities.

Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest
Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest covers more than 1.5 million acres of Wisconsin’s northwoods, forest landscapes and abundant wetlands”…northern hardwood, pine, and hemlock forests where some trees are over 400 years old. You can stop off to wade in Butternut Lake or contemplate a beautiful lake vista from a bench under huge hemlock trees. The boardwalk across the bog offers a chance to see many varieties of bog plants up close.”
Here is the Forest website.  Phone 715-362-1300
Note that the “easy” trails listed below may have obstacles for you.  Be sure to call the Ranger District for more information.   Links to Maps
Eagle Lake-Franklin District  Phone 715-479-2827
Franklin Nature Trail 1 mile, easy, mostly flat dirt path with “occasional” rocks and roots.  It includes a 400′ long boardwalk through a tamarack bog. Trail Guide    Trail Map
Assessor’s Interpretive Trail   1 mile  “deep woods experience”

Luna – White Deer Trail   4 miles along the shorelines of Luna and White Deer Lakes
Perch Lake Trail   1.33 mile around Perch Lake.

Scott Lake Trail  0.5 mile through a “towering stand of white pines and hemlocks about 300 years old and follows the wetland around Scott Lake. ”

Spectacle – Kentuck Lake Trail   2.5 miles one way

Great Divide Ranger District   Phone 715-264-2511 or 715-634-4821
? Forest Lodge Nature Trail 3.5 mile interpretive trail. “…about 4 feet wide in the field but narrows to about 2 feet wide and has a somewhat rough tread in the woods.”
Morgan Falls Trail 1.2 miles round trip This trail was reconstructed in 2002 to make it accessible, but it is currently closed due to storm damage.

Lakewood-Laona Ranger District Phone 715-276-6333
Halley Creek Bird Trail    1 mile birding trail through four habitats.

Medford – Park Falls District  Phone 715-748-4875 or 715-762-2461
Aldo Leopold Trail  1.2 mile “…self-guided, non-motorized nature trail, located along an esker near the Mondeaux Dam Lodge, helps to outline Aldo Leopold’s conservation ethics and his legacy. ”
Newman Springs Trail 7 miles  “…non-motorized trails, with a variety of vegetation types and water with two spring ponds and two creek crossings. …..Hiking is pretty easy in that much of the hikeable trail follows old logging roads.”
? Drummond Woods Trail 0.75 mile.  “The trail is relatively flat and easy to hike. The trail traverses through a northern hardwood forest and is a wonderful short hike for those who wish to see fall colors but don’t want to go a long distance.”