Great Wisconsin Birding& NatureTrail Mississippi/Chippewa Rivers Region RJ & LINDA MILLER

Welcome Welcome to Wisconsin, where a wonderful world of wildlife watching awaits you. Environmental tourism has become an important part of our diverse mix of outdoor recreation. Extensive wetlands, millions of acres of wild places, a broad range of natural habitat, and a commitment to environmental stewardship have made Wisconsin an outstanding regional birding opportunity. Riecks Lake Park near Alma in Buffalo County. More than any other state in the Great Lakes basin, Wisconsin is positioned to promote and Contents enjoy this popular activity. Introduction ______2 To that end, we have launched the Great State Natural Areas ______3 Wisconsin Birding and Nature Trail. This Code of Ethics ______3 project divides the state into five wildlife- Mississippi/Chippewa Rivers Region Map ______4-5 Using the Guide______5 viewing regions. Driving trails that link Waypoint Index ______6-7 important wildlife sites within each region are County Profiles being developed. The program will also Buffalo County ______8-10 produce a series of birding guides to these Chippewa County ______11-13 regions – one each year. This is the second in Crawford County ______14-17 Dunn County ______18-21 that series, a guide to the Eau Claire County ______22-25 Mississippi/Chippewa Rivers Region. Grant County ______26-29 Wisconsin – life’s so good. Jackson County ______30-33 La Crosse County ______34-37 Pepin County ______38-40 Pierce County ______41-44 St. Croix County ______45-48 Trempealeau County ______49-51 Jim Doyle, Governor Vernon County ______52-55 More Sources of Tourism Information______56 Wisconsin Welcome Centers ______57

1 Wing your way State Natural Areas Wisconsin’s State Natural Areas through Wild Wisconsin (SNAs) protect outstanding exam- ples of native biological commu- The Great Wisconsin Birding and Nature Trail nities such as prairies, pine bar- is your invitation to observe the fascinating and rens, bogs, and boreal forests. diverse world of wildlife that exists in every They also preserve significant corner of the state. geological and archaeological features and are often the last By 2008, the Wisconsin refuges in Wisconsin for rare DNR Endangered Resource species of animals, plants, fungi,

Program will have developed MIKE MCDOWELL lichens, and a host of other a series of five highway-based organisms. viewing guides, each highlighting unique regional ecosystems of Wisconsin. Each will link a set of Code of Ethics waypoints, refuges and wild Least Bittern. places that offer the best The Great Wisconsin Birding and Nature Trail is your gate- birding and wildlife watching opportunities. way to the natural world of Wisconsin. The Code of Ethics This is the second of those five guides; the serves to guide you as you seek your favorite waypoint sites Mississippi/Chippewa Rivers Birding and Nature across the state. Trail. It covers thirteen Wisconsin counties in the ● Treat birds and other animals with respect, never disturbing Mississippi or Chippewa River watershed. or collecting anything in their habitat. Opened in 2005, it includes 67 waypoints from ● Trails, roads and paths found at the sites provide good the sandbar sloughs of the Mississippi River to access to the property. Avoid leaving them unless you are the trout streams of Grant County. in a wilderness area. In 2006, the Lake Michigan Birding and ● Wisconsin has strict trespass laws. Nature Trail will debut followed in successive Private property does not have to

years by the Central Sands Prairie and Southern be posted or fenced in Wisconsin. MIKE MCDOWELL Savanna Trails. The first guide in the series, the Ask permission if you want to Lake Superior Northwoods edition, was released enter private land. Know where in 2004 and is still available in you are – pay attention to posted limited numbers. property boundary signs. Waypoints on each trail ● Dogs must be leashed on all state lands during the bird-nesting sea- will be marked with the pro- Tiger Swallowtail Butterfly. gram’s distinctive Sandhill son from April 15 through July 31. Crane logo. As you travel, ● Lead by example. Leave the property litter-free and in good watch for these signs – they condition for the next traveler. are your invitation to the fasci- ● Give nature a voice. Thank the property owner, manager nating world of Wisconsin or staff person for the opportunity to enjoy nature at their Waypoint marker. wildlife. site.

2 3 Rice Lake St. Croix Bruce 8 35 BARRON Falls Barron Cameron Ladysmith 8 St. Croix Turtle Lake 65 County 27 Pgs. 45-48 40 Osceola 46 Dunn i 13 County 7 Holcombe W New 55 53 New 6 Pgs. 18-21 Auburn TAYLOR M 56 Richmond 64 64 Cornell Gilman 64 Somerset ST. CROIX MedfordGreat Wisconsin Bloomer CHIPPEWA 57 58 63 Chippewa 9 Hudson DUNN Chippewa 8 County Falls Cadott Pgs. 11-13 AbbotsfordBirding& NatureTrail St. Paul 94 Knapp 18 29 54 29 Menomonie 19 Mississippi/ChippewaMARA Rivers Region 61 48 River 23 Prescott Downsville Eau Claire Unity 10 Falls Elmwood 20 26 Eau Claire M wa 22 Ellsworth PIERCE ippe 24 County Ch 21 CLARK 47 16 EAU CLAIRE 25 Pgs. 22-25 Spencer 35 50 17

52 43 Augusta

46

63 Bay 10 r

49 e

Durand v Marshfield City PEPIN i

Maiden Eleva Osseo Fairchild R Pierce Rock 44 Using the Guide 51 85 Mondovi County Red Wing 45 Neillsville 13 Pgs. 41-44 Stockholm Information for this guide was 4 93 94 WOOD Nelson 12 Pepin ck BUFFALO Hixton la Pittsville gathered locally from Wisconsin 35 B M 52 Pepin iss Independence Wabasha is 3 Whitehall JACKSON DNR and federal Forest Service County sip W pi Alma 54 61 Pgs. 38-40 Black 32 Nekoosa personnel, from naturalists, birders, 1 River Falls 37 95 Babcock 5 53 35 34 33 and a range of wildlife enthusiasts. 63 Buffalo TREMPEALEAU 36 n 2 Millston 80 si Each site was nominated locally and County Jackson n R Fountain co iv City is Pgs. 8-10 er 54 County W evaluated as part of the regional 27 14 Rochester 62 Pgs. 30-33 Trempealeau project. 14 60 21 Trempealeau LA CROSSE A Tomah JUNEAU County 59 40 Onalaska Sparta Site information includes a 61 90 12 Pgs. 49-51 MONROE contact phone number, driving 42 W. Salem New Lisbon 71 Wilton directions, a small locator map, a 39 La Crosse Mauston La Crosse description of the property, common 90 38 41 County 61 Ontario Union 94 52 Pgs. 34-37 14 Center 90 and rare birds and wildlife, and a 67 63 33 Stoddard Westby er Web site if available. Except as v 65 MINNESOTA VERNON i Genoa 63 R 82 Hillsboro La Valle noted, admission to these properties Vernon 56 66 Viroqua County Reedsb is free. Hours are included, even 64 80 Pgs. 52-55 82 Readstown though most properties are open 14 SAUK De Soto Lansing o RICHLAND o Crawford 23 24/7. 14 p a County k

35 c Prairie d i Richland As you would expect, most of

K Pgs. 14-17 IOWA 61 61 Center Lynxville 27 Spring these waypoints are remote, wild CRAWFORD 60 Green 13 locations. While every effort has 10 11 28 52 Muscoda Wauzeka Black E Prairie 15 Boscobel been made to provide accurate driv- 80 18 du Chien 12 30 Barneveld Mt ing instructions, we recommend that Fennimore IOWA 18 Bridgeport Bl you bring a county map or gazetteer 18 Moun 31 GRANT Dodgeville to help in finding these sites. Other 27 Lancaster 63 Grant 52 80 Mineral Point prudent equipment would include a 133 County 23 7 Pgs. 26-29 61 compass, flashlight, water, a granola 29 Belmont LAFAYETTE bar or two, insect repellant, and a Cassville 151 Platteville Potosi 81 Dickeyville Darlington good pair of walking/hiking shoes. Cuba City 4 Gratiot 11 5 Waterloo Dubuque 20 Waypoint Index Page Page Buffalo County Pepin County 1. Buena Vista Park, Alma______8 43. Chippewa River State Trail, Durand/Eau Claire______38 2. Merrick State Park, Fountain City ______9 44. Lower Chippewa River State Natural Area, Pepin ______39 3. Riecks Lake Park, Alma ______9 45. Maiden Rock Bluff State Natural Area, Stockholm ______40 4. Tiffany Bottoms State Wildlife Area, Nelson______10 46. Nine Mile Island State Natural Area, Durand ______40 5. Whitman Dam State Wildlife Area, Buffalo ______10 Pierce County Chippewa County 47. Freedom Park Learning Center, Prescott ______41 6. Brunet Island State Park, Cornell ______11 48. Kinnickinnic State Park & Delta State Natural Area, River Falls ______42 7. Chippewa Moraine Ice Age National Scientific Unit & Interpretive Center, 49. Morgan Coulee Prairie State Natural Area, Maiden Rock ______43 New Auburn ______12 50. Nugget Lake County Park, Plum City ______43 8. Lake Wissota State Park, Chippewa Falls ______12 51. Rush River Delta State Natural Area, Maiden Rock______44 9. Old Abe State Trail, Wildflower Trail, & Lake Wissota State Park Trails ____13 52. Trenton Bluff Prairie State Natural Area, Hager City ______44 Crawford County St. Croix County 10. Hogback Prairie State Natural Area, Stueben______14 53. Cylon Marsh & Cylon Wildlife Area, Deer Park______45 11. Kickapoo River State Wildlife Area - Wauzeka Unit, Wauzeka ______15 54. Eau Galle Lake Recreation Area, Spring Valley______46 12. La Riviere Park, Prairie du Chien ______16 55. Oak Ridge Lake & National Waterfowl Production Area (WPA), 13. Lock and Dam 9 & Pool 9, Lynxville/Genoa ______16 New Richmond ______46 14. Rush Creek State Natural Area, Ferryville ______17 56. St. Croix Islands State Wildlife Area, Somerset______47 15. St. Feriole Island, Prairie du Chien ______17 57. Willow River State Park, Hudson ______48 58. Willow River State Wildlife Area & Three Lakes National Waterfowl Dunn County Production Area, Hudson ______48 16. Caryville Savanna State Natural Area, Eau Claire ______18 17. Dunnville State Wildlife Area, Downsville ______19 Trempealeau County 18. Hoffman Hills State Recreation Area, Menomonie ______20 59. Great River State Trail-Trempealeau, Trempealeau ______51 19. Lake Menomin & Wolske’s Bay at Lakeside Park & Wakanda Park, 60. Perrot State Park, Trempealeau ______50 Menomonie ______20 61. Trempealeau Lakes State Wildlife Area, Trempealeau ______50 20. Red Cedar State Trail, Menomonie ______21 62. Trempealeau National Wildlife Refuge, Trempealeau ______51 Eau Claire County Vernon County 21. Augusta State Wildlife Area, Augusta ______22 63. Duck Egg County Park, Viroqua ______52 22. Beaver Creek Reserve, Fall Creek ______23 64. Genoa National Fish Hatchery, Genoa ______53 23. Carson Park, Half Moon Lake & Riverview Park, Eau Claire ______24 65. Kickapoo Valley Reserve, La Farge______54 24. Chippewa River State Trail - Phoenix Park, Eau Claire Trail Head, 66. Old Settler’s Park & Genoa Power Plant, Genoa ______55 Eau Claire ______24 67. Wildcat Mountain State Park & Mt. Pisgah Hemlock-Hardwoods State Natural 25. Coon Fork Barrens State Natural Area, Augusta ______25 Area, 26. Putnam Park State Natural Area, Eau Claire ______25 Ontario ______55 Grant County 27. Bagley Bottoms Boat Landing, Bagley ______26 28. Blue River Sand Barrens State Natural Area, Blue River______27

29. Nelson Dewey State Park & Dewey Heights Prairie State Natural Area, RJ & LINDA MILLER Cassville______27 30. Lower Wisconsin River State Wildlife Area, Bridgeport to Woodman ______28 31. Wyalusing State Park & Wyalusing Walnut Forest State Natural Area, Bagley ______29 Jackson County 32. Bauer Brockway Barrens State Natural Area, Black River Falls______30 33. Bear Bluff Peatlands, Millston______31 34. Black River State Forest & Dike 17, Millston ______31 35. Castle Mound Pine Forest State Natural Area, Black River Falls______32 36. Jay Creek Pine Forest State Natural Area, Millston ______32 37. Wazee Lake Recreation Area, Black River Falls______33 La Crosse County 38. Goose Island County Park, La Crosse ______34 39. Hixon Forest Nature Center, La Crosse River Marsh, Riverside Park & Myrick Park, La Crosse______35 40. McGilvray Bridges & Van Loon State Wildlife Area, Onalaska ______35 41. Norskedalen Nature & Heritage Center, Coon Valley ______36 42. Upper Mississippi River National Wildlife & Fish Refuge - La Crosse District, La Crosse ______37

Tiffany State Wildlife Area, Buffalo County.

6 7 Buffalo County 2 Merrick State Park Buffalo County’s tourism focus is a string of four Phone: 608/687-4936 On the backwaters of the Mississippi River, Merrick State Park is a great place charming small towns along the Mississippi River. Web site: www.wiparks.net Signature Species: Green to bird watch any time of the year, but You can catch them all simply by driving Hwy. 35. Herons, Great Egrets, and spring and fall migrations can be spec- Start with Fountain City in southern Buffalo Wilson’s Snipe. tacular along this major migratory County. The town offers pleasant vistas of the river Gazetteer: Page 48, C-2. route. Though just 320 acres, the park from its characteristic terraced gardens. Nearby, Seasonality: Open all year. offers canoe and kayak access to the 550-foot Eagle Bluff is the highest point on the Parking: Paved parking lots throughout the park. extensive waters of the Whitman Dam Upper Mississippi. Just north of town, Merrick Nearest food & lodging: Camp State State Park is small (320 acres, 69 campsites) but a at park, or in Fountain City 3 Wildlife haven for river anglers (608/687-4936, www.wiparks.net). miles south on Hwy. 35. area to the

Fee: Park entry & camping fees north and MIKE MCDOWELL Buffalo City/Cochrane is the gateway to some terrific birding apply. in the Whitman Dam State Natural Area. The Prairie Moon the Upper Museum & Sculpture Garden, a fanciful, concrete-sculpted Mississippi River wonderland, is located just south of town (608/687-8250, Merrick National www.kohlerfoundation.org/rusch.html). State Park Wildlife and The riverfront town of Alma has only two streets, but they Fish Refuge stretch for seven miles beneath the steep bluffs of the G to the Green Heron. Mississippi. The city’s Buena Vista Park sits atop those bluffs 35 south. M and offers spectacular views. Lock & Dam No. 4 is a popular is Paddle up on ducks and shorebirds. The sis sip 95 pi spot to watch the river’s barge traffic lock-through. Just north of R wooded uplands hold Yellow-throated iver Fountain town, across the Buffalo River, the observation deck at Rieck’s City Vireos, Blue-gray Gnatcatchers, Orchard Lake Park gets crowded in the fall with birders watching the Oriole and Cerulean Warblers. In the annual migration of Tundra Swans. park’s old fields and prairie restorations, Nelson, in northern Buffalo County, attracts visitors for that see Western Meadowlarks and Bobolinks as they sing from their grass most Wisconsin of reasons – cheese. The Nelson Cheese perches or “sky lark” overhead. Factory packs ‘em in for cheddar, Colby, Monterey jack and Directions: From Fountain City, drive north 3 miles on Hwy. 35. fresh cheese curds (715/673-4725). 3 Riecks Lake Park 1 Buena Vista Park No trip along this stretch of the river Phone: 608/685-6234 Phone: 608/685-6234 If you visit this park on a clear day in Web site: during spring and fall migrations is Web site: the spring or fall, you won’t be disap- www.buffalocounty.com complete without stopping at Riecks www.buffalocounty.com pointed. Located 500-feet above the Signature Species: Tundra Lake Park to get great looks at Tundra Signature Species: Bald Eagle, village of Alma, it’s a small park with a Swans, Broad-winged Hawk, Swans during peak migration times in Red-shouldered Hawk, and Scarlet Tanager, and Bald Eagle. spring and fall. Volunteers welcome vis- Yellow-billed Cuckoo. big view of the Mississippi River for sev- Gazetteer: Page 48, B-1 eral miles to the north and south. itors at viewing platforms at the water’s Gazetteer: Page 48, B-1. Seasonality: Open all year edge. This is the best place along the Seasonality: Open all year. Equally impressive are the number of Parking: Paved parking lot birds that you can see in this small Mississippi to see these magnificent Parking: Paved parking lot. Nearest food & lodging: In birds, especially in the fall. In the Nearest food & lodging: In area. The raptor migration along this Alma. Alma. area of the river is spectacular; in the spring, many species of ducks including spring you can see Red-tailed Hawks, Mallard, Black and Northern Pintails 35 Peregrine Falcons and Broad-winged I stop here along with species of teal, M D is R si herons, bitterns and egrets. In the win- ss Hawks, and in the fall add American M ip p is i s 37 S is ter, look for Golden Eagles. Y Kestrels and Cooper Hawks to your list. si E p L p Alma Buena L i A The woody area around the parking lot Directions: From Alma, travel two Vista V Park Rieck's Lake harbors lots of songbirds including Park miles north on Hwy. 35, then turn east M R M H iv SC I e I EI r R N into the park. N Baltimore Orioles, Scarlet Tanagers, N N R 35 E i E v

S e Great-crested Flycatchers and Red-bel- S O r T O A lied Woodpeckers. T E A Directions: In Alma, turn east off Hwy. Alma 35 35 onto Cty. E to the park.

8 9 Buffalo County

4 Tiffany Bottoms State Wildlife Area Chippewa County

Phone: 608/685-6222 Tiffany Bottoms is the largest and most When you come birding in Chippewa County, Web site: dnr.wi.gov important intact floodplain forest in bring all your other outdoor gear as well. Bikes, Wisconsin. It attracts nearly every Signature Species: Whip-poor- boats, snowmobiles, ATVs, hunting, fishing and will, Red-headed Woodpecker, species of bird found in Wisconsin. Its and Yellow-headed Blackbird. 12,740 acres occupy both sides of the camping gear, hiking boots, cross-country skis – Gazetteer: Page 58, D-3 & Page Chippewa River between Nelson and you can use it all here. 59, D-8. Durand. All of the land is state owned Lake Wissota and Brunet Island State Parks Seasonality: Open all year. and open to the public. Ten miles of total 150 campsites between them; the Old Abe Parking: Parking lots throughout property. railroad track into the heart of the State Trail offers 20 miles of railbed biking and Nearest food & lodging: Pepin property can be accessed from Hwy. 25 hiking; and the Chippewa Moraine Recreation Area is a trail- to the north and Nelson to the south of the Buffalo and Pepin County head and interpretive center for the 1,000-mile National Ice Age south. line. A walk on the tracks will take you Trail. In the northeastern corner of the county, Lake Holcombe through some of the most scenic areas r is a perennial summer playground with 3,890-acres of water- d e n v i a r of the property including the floodplain R u

D fun. Lake Wissota in the southwest is 6,300 acres and is o T forest. Upland forests and savannas Tiffany renown for its bass and walleye fishing. Bottoms welcome nesting woodland warblers, SWA On the western shore of Lake Wissota is Chippewa Falls, the a w flycatchers and woodpeckers of all e p 25 p i county seat. The oldest business in town is the Jacob h kinds. Interior swamps produce night C To Pepin herons, bitterns and egrets. Leinenkugel Brewing Company. Visit the brewery’s brand 35 Directions: This property is undevel- new visitor’s center, tour the brewery and sample the beer oped but there are seven parking lots (888/534-6437, www.leinie.com). Other tour opportunities in along Hwys. 25 & 35 for access; each is town include the Cook-Rutledge Mansion. Built in 1873, it’s Nelson 35 25 marked with DNR signs. one of the finest examples of High Victorian-Italianate architec- ture in the Midwest (715/723-7181, www.chippewachamber.org). 5 Whitman Dam State Wildlife Area 6 Brunet Island State Park Whitman Dam State Wildlife Area is six Phone: 608/685-6222 This 1,225-acre state park straddles Web site: www.dnr.state.wi.us miles of marsh and slough from Phone: 715/239-6888 both sides of the Chippewa River along Signature Species: Canvasback Merrick State Park north to the village Web site: www.wiparks.net Ducks, Tundra Swans, and of Buffalo. The southern part of this Signature Species: Blackburnian a section that includes Brunet Island. Golden Eagles. 2,173-acre property has areas where Warbler, Northern Waterthrush & The Fisher River comes in from the Gazetteer: Page 48, C-2. you can walk and sight lowland forest Purple Finch. north; its bays and lagoons are good Seasonality: Open all year. birds such as Black-billed Cockoos, Gazetteer: Page 73, C-7. places to see beaver, mink, herons and Parking: Parking lots. woodpeckers and Prothonatary Seasonality: Open all year. deer. The park’s eight miles of hiking Nearest food & lodging: In Warbles. Bald and Golden Eagles have Parking: Parking lots provided. trails take you into different birding Buffalo, 3 miles north on Hwy. also been seen along this stretch of the Nearest food & lodging: In habitats. Hike the wetlands along the 35. Cornell, just southeast of the river. A three-mile dike stretching north park. rivers to find Hermit Thrushes, Yellow- T o Co from Lock and Dam #6 creates Spring rumped Warblers and Common ch Fee: Park entry & camping fees ra Whitman Dam ne 88 SWA Lake that draws record numbers of apply. Yellowthroats. Nashville Warblers, White-throated sparrows and Northern 35 ducks and Tundra Swans in the spring K A M and fall migration seasons. You can Parula Warblers like the wooded areas. R O W S K walk the dike to see huge rafts of The bays surrounding the islands on the I R D River BECHLY RD M Canvasbacks, Ring-neck ducks and river hold Great Blue Herons, Hooded is s is T s o Brunet Island ip Mergansers, Mallards and Blue-winged F Scaup. 27 p o i u State Park n t a Teal. i M Merrick n Directions: From Merrick State Park, C I State it N Park y CC N travel north 1.5 miles on Hwy. 35 to The park also offers an interpretive E Riv S er O Cornell T Bechly Road, then west to Kamrowski museum, swimming, canoeing, fishing, A Road, and north to the wildlife area 27 64 and 69 campsites. The Jean Brunet sign that is the southern part of the property. The northern part of 64 27 Nature Trail is paved for handicapped

the property can be reached from Cty. OO just south of Cochrane. 178 access. You can turn south along the river to a boat ramp, parking lot and Chippewa Directions: From Cornell, take Park the dike along Spring Lake. Road north one mile to the park. 10 11 Chippewa County

7 Chippewa Moraine Ice Age National 9 Old Abe State Trail, Wildflower Trail, Scientific Unit & Interpretive Center & Lake Wissota State Park Trails

Wisconsin’s last glacier retreated Paralleling the Chippewa River, the Old Phone: 715/967-2800 Phone: 715/726-7880 Web site: www.iceagetrail.org 16,000 years ago leaving a spectacular Web site: dnr.wi.gov Abe State Trail is a twenty-mile, multi- Signature Species: Great Blue landscape in its wake. The Ice Age Trail Signature Species: Eastern & use, paved trail connecting Brunet Heron & Red-headed traces the glacier’s terminal moraine – a Western Meadowlark and Willow Island State Park at Cornell with Lake Woodpecker. 1,000-mile trail that meanders through Flycatcher Wissota State Park at Chippewa Falls. Gazetteer: Page 73, C-5. Wisconsin marking the glacier’s south- Gazetteer: Page 73, C-5 & Page Eventually, the trail will extend to Eau Seasonality: Open all year. ern terminus. In Chippewa County, the 61, A-6 Claire where it will meet the Chippewa Parking: Parking lot provided. trail runs 23 miles from the Interpretive Seasonality: Open all year River State Trail and, from there, the Nearest food & lodging: New Center to Burnet Island State Park. In Parking: Parking lots provided Red Cedar State Trail forging a 60-mile Auburn. Nearest food & lodging: In this part of the state, the trail traverses Cornell, Jim Falls & Chippewa roll through the Chippewa Valley. As an area that is heavily forested with Falls you hike or ride the Old Abe, you’ll see

Long numerous kettle lakes. Hiking the trail Fee: Trail pass meadowlarks, sparrows and numerous Lake will produce many northern forest warblers. At the trail’s midpoint at Jim

M birds: Ruffed Grouse, Great Crested Falls you can access the Wildflower Flycatchers, Cooper’s and Broad-winged Trail, so named for its spectacular Shattuck Lakes Hawks, Scarlet Tanager, Indigo Buntings spring wildflower display. On this half- MIKE MCDOWELL To New Auburn Horseshoe and Great Horned Owls all nest here. mile hike along the river bottom you Lake Near the kettle lake look for ducks, might see Pine and Yellow-rumped mergansers, geese and herons. Warblers, White-throated Sparrows and Chippewa Moraine Ice Age National Directions: From New Auburn, travel Alder Flycatchers. Overhead, watch for Scientific Unit east on Cty. M nine miles to the Red-shouldered Hawks. AA Rock Lake Interpretive Center on the left. Directions: Access the Old Abe Trail from trailheads in Lake Wissota or Brunet Island State Parks. Widow Skimmer.

Brunet Island State Park Cornell 8 Lake Wissota State Park 27 64

This 1,062-acre park combines pine and Phone: 715/382-4574 64 Web site: www.wiparks.net hardwood forest, lake, prairie and Signature Species: Pine and marshland that support 200 avian Yellow-rumped Warbler, species. During migration, the 6,300- Common Raven. acre lake is alive with waterfowl: Blue 27 Gazetteer: Page 61, A-6. and Green-winged Teal, Northern Seasonality: Open all year. Pintails, Mallards, Scaup, Mergansers, Parking: Parking lots provided. Northern Shoveler, American Wigeon 178 Old Abe Nearest food & lodging: In and American Black Duck. Canada, State Trail Chippewa Falls, seven miles southwest. Snow and Greater White-fronted Geese Fee: Park entry and camping fees also use the area along with Trumpeter Swans. Grasses and wildflowers, called Jim S apply 124 Falls forbes, dominate the prairies. Here, look and listen for Willow Flycatchers, O Sedge Wrens, Eastern Bluebirds, 124 Northern Harriers, the Common 53 Nighthawk, and our smallest falcon, S 27

S Lake Wissota the American Kestrel. The hardwood 178 State Park Lake Wissota 178 forest can be enjoyed via 17 miles of State Park O trail. S L a k L e a W k Directions: From Chippewa Falls, take e is s W o i t s a s Hwy. 178 north to Cty. S east. As you o t Chippewa cross the bridge over the Chippewa Chippewa a 29 Falls Falls X J River, turn east on Cty. O two miles to 29 the park. 29 12 13 Crawford County 11 Kickapoo River State Wildlife Area – Knit together by meandering rivers and trout-filled Wauzeka Unit streams, Crawford County in southwestern The 2000 acres of the Kickapoo River Wisconsin is awash in history. Phone: 608/785-9000 Web site: dnr.wi.gov State Wildlife Area are contained in Prairie du Chien, the county seat, straddles the two units. The Bell Center Unit is locat- confluence of the Mississippi and Wisconsin Rivers. Signature Species: Sandhill Cranes, Turkeys, and Savannah ed south of Gays Mills and the At the Hwy. 18 bridge, stop at the Wisconsin Sparrow. Wauzeka Unit is on the southern bor- Welcome Center (WCC) for free trip planning, Gazetter: Page 32, D-3. der of Crawford County. The Wauzeka statewide travel brochures, maps and a friendly Seasonality: Open all year. Unit is an interesting mix of grass-cov- smile (608/326-2241, www.travelwisconsin.com). Parking: Parking lot along Hwy. ered hills, river bottoms and wooded Prairie du Chien’s varied history is captured in a number of 131, one mile north of Hwy. 60. hillsides. A good trail system leads you Nearest food & lodging: In intriguing historic sites. Perhaps the most notable is the gracious Wauzeka (south), Boscobel (east) through some excellent river bottom- Villa Louis, the Victorian country estate of the Dousman family, or Prairie du Chien. lands where you can view waterfowl, Wisconsin’s first millionaires (866/944-7483, www.wisconsinhis- woodland bottom warblers like the tory.org/villalouis). The city is also the site of one of three his- Prothonotary, and Great Blue Herons. toric pre-civil War forts built and operated by the US Army in The variety of habitats along this 3-mile stretch of trail can also produce Gray Wisconsin. Tour the Fort Crawford Museum for more local Catbirds, Indigo Bunting and American history (608/326-6960, www.fortcrawfordmuseum.com). If Redstart warblers. D Kickapoo River you’re more outdoorsman than historian, there’s a Cabela’s R State Wildlife Notes: This part of the state is referred

K Area-Wauzeka E

retail store in town with everything for the hunter, angler and E Unit R to as the driftless, or unglaciated part

camper (608/326-5600, www.cabelas.com). C 131

M of Wisconsin. It is known for its lime-

U L About twelve miles upstream, just south of Lynxville, you can N P 60 stone bluffs, steep hillsides covered stop at Lock & Dam No. 9 to watch river barges and pleasure with hardwood forests, and its dry hill- craft lock-through. top grasslands known as “goat” In Wauzeka, tour the Kickapoo Indian Caverns, the largest Wauzeka prairies. 60 River

subterranean caverns in the state (608/875-7723, sin Directions: From Wauzeka turn north iscon www.kickapooindiancaverns.com). W on Hwy. 131 one mile to the parking lot. 10 Hogback Prairie State Natural Area

Hogback Prairie is a narrow, steep- PHILIP OLSON Phone: 608/785-9000 Web site: dnr.wi.gov sided, limestone ridge rising 300 feet Signature Species: Cranes, above the Kickapoo River and the Sedge Wrens, and Yellow- Citron Valley. It is the dominant feature breasted Chat. of this 971-acre site. To the north, west Gazetter: Page 32, B-4. and east the ridge is flanked by dry Seasonality: Open all year. prairie. To the south, the landscape Parking: Parking along road blends into oak woods and brush across from kiosk. prairie. The area supports an unusual Nearest food & lodging: In Boscobel, southeast of Steuben. mix of plants and animals including rare butterfly species, purple prairie-clover,

bird’s-foot violets and side oats grama D

R grass. Grassland birds include Sedge Y

E

D L Wrens and Bell’s Vireo. L A R V S

E

N H Directions: From the intersection of

O

G

R

U

T 131

I

H C Hwy. 179 and Bridge Street in Steuben, E go north on Bridge Street 0.5 mile, 179 then west and north on Hughes Road 2 Stueben miles, then west on Citron Valley Road Hogback 0.8 mile. Park along the road across Prairie SNA 131 from the information kiosk.

Canoeing the Kickapoo River.

14 15 Crawford County

12 La Riviere Park 14 Rush Creek State Natural Area

Phone: 608/ 326-7207 La Riviere Park is owned by the City of Phone: 608/785-9000 Located north of Ferryville, the Rush Web Site: prairieduchien.org Praire du Chien and has six miles of Web site: dnr.wi.gov Creek State Natural Area encompasses Signature Species: Eastern hiking trails. The site is located on the Signature Species: Turkey exceptional dry prairies, oak forest, and Bluebird and Lark Sparrow. Bridgeport Vulture and Kentucky Warbler. 400-foot limestone-capped bluffs. The Gazzetter: Page 32, D-2. Terrace above Gazetter: Page 32, B-2. prairies on the very steep, southwest- Seasonality: Open all year from the confluence Seasonality: Open all year. facing slopes hold blazing-star, com-

6am–11pm. of the MIKE MCDOWELL Parking: Parking lot on Rush pass-plant and bird’s-foot violets. The Parking: Parking lot. Wisconsin and Creek Road. north-facing hillsides are forested with Nearest food & lodging: In Mississippi Nearest food & lodging: In red and white oak, black walnut, hicko- Prairie du Chien. Ferryville, 3 miles south on Hwy Rivers. Trails 35. ry, basswood, and sugar maple. Rush lead to wood- creek runs through the middle of this lands and grass- 2027-acre property. It harbors numer- lands where you ous species of songbirds during the T o L a can see Scarlet spring and fall migrations. The steep C Lark Sparrow. ro ss 35 Tanagers, Tufted e climb to the top of the bluffs is reward- M RD i s s Villa 35 K Rush Creek i Titmice, and White-eyed Vireos. The E ed with a spectacular view of the s Louis E s 27 SNA i R p C p i park has restrooms, a drinking foun- Mississippi River.

SH U Prairie tain, camping and picnic areas, and a R B 18 Directions: From Ferryville, go north on R du Chien D i R nature center with limited hours. M v ississip Hwy. 35 for 3.1 miles, then northeast e r Riviere pi R E

Park E Directions: From Hwy. 35/18 on the on Rush Creek Road for 0.5 mile to a

L

U iver

O

C south side of Prairie du Chien, go one parking area west of the road. Cross Ferryville VINE Y A mile east on Vineyard Coulee Road. the road and walk east on the old lane 18 RD 35 to the bluff top.

13 Lock and Dam 9 & Pool 9 15 St. Feriole Island Pool No. 9 on the Mississippi River This 240-acre island on the east chan- Phone: 608/874-4311 Phone: 608/326-7207 Web site: mvp.usace.army.mil stretches from the lock and dam south Web site: prairieduchien.org nel of the Mississippi River has a mix of Signature Species: Bald Eagles of Lynxville north to Genoa. Travel Hwy. Signature Species: Bonaparte’s habitats including beaches, floodplain all year long. 35, the Great River Road, and enjoy this Gulls and shorebirds. forest and grassland. In the spring, Gazetter: Page 32 B-2. huge body of water. During migrations, Gazetter: Page 32, D-2. floodwaters create mud flats ideal for Seasonality: Lock & dam open hundreds of thousands of ducks can be Seasonality: Open all year 6am- migrating shore- April-November. Pool 9 is open seen from the many pull-off areas 11pm. birds. One may all year. located along the highway. Good num- Parking: Parking lot. see American Parking: Ample parking areas. bers of Tundra Swans use the area as Nearest food & lodging: In Avocets along MIKE MCDOWELL Nearest food & lodging: In Prairie du Chien. Prairie du Chien and Lynxville. do American White Pelicans. Turkey the beach. A Vultures, hawks and Bald Eagles soar trail leads away on the thermal air currents along the from the park-

A T bluffs. The Cold Springs Boat Landing ing lot to a O Lynxville S E north of Lynxville is a good place to floodplain hard- N N r watch water birds of all kinds. wood forest I e iv M R 35

i where warblers p F Notes: Lock & Dam No. 9 near Lynxville ip ss si M and other is i and Lock & Dam No. 8 at Genoa offer s St. Feriole Peregrine Falcon. M 35 76 s i s s Villa Island i A migrant song- public observation platforms and rest- p Louis 27 p

T i

rooms open from dawn to dusk from O birds can be seen. Peregrine Falcons S Prairie

n E e Lock and Dam 9 hunt ducks along this stretch of the i h April to November. They’re great places 18 R

N du Chien C and Pool 9 iv u d e N e r river corridor i r to watch the barge traffic along the I i ra P

M o T river. Directions: In downtown Prairie du 18 Chien at Hwy. 35 & Hwy. 18, drive west 35 on Blackhawk Avenue and cross the bridge to get onto the island.

16 17 Dunn County 17 Dunnville State Wildlife Area

Dunn County is a nice blend of tourism, agricul- The 5,000 acres surrounding the con- ture and industry. Menomonie, the county seat, is Phone: 715/232-1517 Web site: dnr.wi.gov fluence of the Red Cedar and an important hub made more so by UW-Stout Signature species: Lark Sparrow Chippewa Rivers is the Dunnville State whose 7,500 students are half the city’s popula- and Blue-gray Gnatcatcher. Wildlife Area, divided into the Upper tion. The vital downtown is anchored by the his- Gazetteer: Page 60, C-2. and Lower Dunnville Bottoms. This toric Mabel Tainter Memorial Theatre, now lov- Seasonality: Open all year . property is a mix of prairie, floodplain ingly restored to its 1889 splendor with an art Parking: Parking lots provided. forest, fields and ridges covered by Nearest food & lodging: In woods. Clay-colored and Lark Sparrows gallery, reading room and 313-seat theater Downsville, 3.5 miles north. (800/236-7675, www.mabeltainter.com). The live here. You may even hear or see Russell J. Rassbach Heritage Museum displays a series of Bob White Quail. Red-shouldered Hawks nest here along with Eastern themed exhibits that illuminate Dunn County history (715/232- Kingbirds, Barred Owls and Blue- 8685, www.discover-net.net/~dchs). Nearby, the city’s Wakanda winged Warblers. The restored prairies

Water Park, with its waterslides and fountains, is a great place on the property hold Western mead-

e

l

l

i v to beat summer’s heat. s n owlarks, Willow Flycatchers and Sedge

w Y

o Red

D

The Red Cedar River transects Dunn County and is a popu- o Wrens. Along the edges of the prairie T

lar tubing river. You can also bike the Red Cedar State Trail, a 25 Cedar where they meet the shrubby trees,

14-mile former railbed trail from Menomonie south to its junc- Y look for Turkeys, Orchard Orioles and River tion with the Chippewa River State Trail (715/232-1242, Dunnville White-eyed Vireos. Long and Wallace State www.wiparks.net). As you ride, you’ll pass Downsville, home of Wildlife Lakes in the interior of the property Empire in Pine, a lumber-era museum with a village jail, post Area hold ducks, herons and rails. River Directions: From Downsville, take Hwy. office and blacksmith shop (715/664-8690, www.discover- C hip pe 25 south to Cty. Y, then turn east to a net.net/~dchs). wa parking lot.

16 Caryville Savanna State Natural Area

Phone: 715/232-1517 Picture yourself canoeing or kayaking to Web site: dnr.wi.gov a beautiful island in the Chippewa River

Signature Species: Red- where time seems to stand still and BOB QUEEN, WISCONSIN DNR shouldered Hawk and Eastern birds call from oak groves and grassy Bluebird. prairies. This is what you’ll find when Gazetteer: Page 60, C-3. you visit the 420-acre Caryville Savanna Seasonality: Open all year. State Natural Area located on Brush Parking: Parking lot at boat Island. Look for Orchard Orioles, Gray landing. Catbirds, and Yellow-bellied Sapsuckers Nearest food & lodging: In Eau Claire, 11 miles east. in the oak barrens, and keep an eye out for Clay-colored and Lark Sparrows in the prairies. When exploring the floodplain forest, look for Barred Owls, Whip-poor-wills, Red-headed H Woodpeckers and Eastern Phoebes. 240TH AVE Directions: From the intersection of Hwys. 85 and Cty. H just north of Caryville, drive north on Cty. H 0.5 mile C hipp ewa to a boat landing on the Chippewa River 85 River. Canoe downstream about 3 miles Caryville to Brush Island south of the main chan- Caryville nel and north of Meridean Slough. Savanna 85 SNA Canoe access is also available from a boat landing on 240th Avenue.

Hoffman Hills State Recreation Area.

18 19 Dunn County

18 Hoffman Hills State Recreation Area 20 Red Cedar State Trail

This 707-acre property is a mosaic of The Red Cedar State Trailhead is locat- Phone: 715/232-1517 Phone: 715/232-1242 wooded hills, prairies and wetlands ed in Menomonie at an old railroad Web site: dnr.wi.gov Web site: dnr.wi.gov Signature Species: Great with a network of hiking and cross- Signature Species: Eastern Blue depot in Riverside Park. The trail mean- Crested Flycatcher, Warbling country ski trails. It includes the highest Birds, Bald Eagle and Bobolinks. ders south along the Red Cedar River Vireo and Eastern Wood-Pewee. spot in Dunn County with a 60-foot Gazetteer: Page 60, B-1. for 14.5 miles through serpentine val- Gazetteer: Page 60, A-2. observation tower Seasonality: Open all year. leys, rolling hills, bluffs, woodlands and Seasonality: Open all year. and spectacular Parking: Parking lots provided. prairies all the way to the junction with Parking: Parking lots provided. views of the coun- Nearest food & lodging: In the Chippewa River. You can hike or

Nearest food & lodging: In tryside. Forest MIKE MCDOWELL Menomonie. bike this trail. The woodlands will hold Menomonie, 7 miles southwest. birds found here Fee: Trail fees apply. Blue Jays, the prairies have Eastern Fee: State Trail Pass – No dogs allowed. are the Scarlet Kingbirds and Field Sparrows, and the Tanager, Common backwater areas are great places to find Raven, Northern all kinds of ducks, Green Herons and Rough-winged Sora Rails. Watch for mink, red fox and

Swallow and Common Yellowthroat. muskrats along the water’s edge. T

S 12 25

H Tufted Titmouse.

T About halfway, the historic town of

0 9 730TH AVE 6 In the wetlands, look for Green Herons, 94 Downsville is the home of the Empire in

720TH AVE Green-wing Teal and Virginia Rails. In Pine Lumberjack Museum. Just three n Hoffman Hills the prairies, look for Sedge Wrens and 12 i miles south of Downsville is the Caddie State Recreation Menom Area Common Yellowthroats. Deer, coyotes, ke Woodlawn Historical Park located on La B mink, raccoons and muskrats share this 12 29 29 Hwy. 25. Near the confluence of the E day-use recreation area. two rivers, the trail will traverse the Directions: Exit I-94 north at Cty. B Menomonie Dunnville Bottoms State Wildlife Area, P 94 and go 2.5 miles to 730th Avenue. Go the heart of the Chippewa River Valley. To Menomonie 25 To Eau Claire 2 miles east to 690th Street and turn Directions: At Menomonie, exit I-94 south to 270th Avenue to the entrance. J at Hwy. 12 south (Broadway) and go 2 miles to Hwy. 29, turn west to Riverside Y Park. 19 Lake Menomin & Wolske’s Bay at Lakeside Red

Park & Wakanda Park 25 DON ABRAMS Red Cedar C State Trail e d Menomonie’s Lake Menomin harbors a r Phone: 715/962-4460 several beautiful parks along its shores. Web site: www.menomonie.com Wolske Bay off of Lakeside Park on the

R

i west side of the lake hosts Hooded v Y Signature Species: White e r Pelican, Goldeneye Duck and Mergansers and Goldeneyes during Franklin’s Gull. spring migrations. Wakanda Park on Gazetteer: Page 60, A-1. the northwest shore holds a variety of C Seasonality: Open all year. warblers along with House Wrens, Gray 72 Downsville Parking: Parking lot provided. Catbirds, Blue Jays and Indigo Buntings. Nearest food & lodging: In Wakanda is also the home of the Lions C Menomonie. Club Game Park featuring native

er 12 25 v Wisconsin animals and a nature trail. Ri At the north end of the lake a slough To Eau 94 Claire area runs further north to Cedar Falls. Y During migrations, it holds many kinds 25 12 in of songbirds, ducks, herons and hawks. Menom Y ke La Directions: Access Wakanda Park from 12 29 29 Hwy. 25 to Pine or Maple Avenue. Lakeside Park is located off Hwy. 25 on r

Menomonie d n

da a r a River Wolske Bay Road. u

Ce ew D pp

o i

T h 25 C Red Biking the Red Cedar State Trail.

20 21 Eau Claire County 22 Beaver Creek Reserve

According to local legend, French voyageur Beaver Creek Reserve is a 360-acre Jonathan Carver first shouted “L’Eau Claire” Phone: 715/877-2212 property that includes the Wise Nature Web site: (“clear water”) in 1767 and so named the county, www.beavercreekreserve.org Center, Hobbs Observatory, and a city and river. The county’s ten lakes and 161 miles Signature Species: Pine and unique Butterfly House. The property is of trout streams maintain that “clear water” lega- Nashville Warblers & Red-bellied a mixture of upland hardwood forest, cy. Woodpeckers. prairie, and lowland floodplain forest. The city of Eau Claire is also the county seat. Gazetteer: Page 61, B-6. The waterfalls and sandy beaches of Seasonality: Open all year, Mon- the Eau Claire River offer a glimpse of a Carson Park is one of the city’s outdoor jewels. Its Fri 8am-4: 30pm, Sat 9am-4pm, 134 acres house the Chippewa Valley Museum, Sun noon-4pm. Louisiana Waterthrush or a gray fox as an award-winning regional museum with outstanding Native Parking: Parking lots provided. they comes to drink the cool water. Tufted Titmice, Great Crested American and local history dioramas (715/834-7871, Nearest food & lodging: In Fall Creek, 3.5 miles south; or in Eau Flycatchers, American Kestrels and www.cvmuseum.com). Next door, tour the Paul Bunyan Claire 12 miles west. Cooper’s Hawks are found on the prop- Logging Camp, an authentic reproduction of an 1890’s original erty along with Song Sparrows and (715/835-6200, www.paulbunyancamp.org). The Fanny Hill K House Wrens. Victorian Inn and Dinner Theatre is a delightful restaurant Overlooking Beaver Creek, the Wise and B&B with professional dinner theater performances Q Nature Center offers interpretive dis- E Beaver Creek (800/292-8026, www.fannyhill.com). au Reserve plays and live animal exhibits. Miles of

Eighteen miles to the east, Augusta is a much smaller, but C re hiking trails, a wildlife photography ek no less interesting destination. The community includes an Beaver blind, butterfly gardens, feeding sta- Cla Amish settlement of more than 150 families. Their handcrafted ire tions and boardwalks make any visit SS

k here enjoyable. The Hobbs Observatory

goods are sold at the Wood Shed (715/286-5404). Just north e

e R r iv C e K

l r

l has a pair of computer-operated tele- a

of town is the remarkable Dells Mill, a flour mill built in 1864 F

o entirely of wood, including gears and pulleys (715/286-2714). T scopes. The Butterfly House is a great place 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- 21 Augusta State Wildlife Area low signs to the property.

This 2,100-acre marsh and woodland Phone: 715/839-3771 Web site: dnr.wi.gov lies just south of Lake Eau Claire. Signature Species: Sandhill Hiking trails access the interior of the

Cranes, Sora Rails and Great Blue property. Gravel roads provide driving TOURISM PHOTO FILE Herons. access to a pair of small ponds where Gazetteer: Page 61, C-8. you can see herons and egrets feeding Seasonality: Open all year. along the water’s edge while Sandhill Parking: Parking lots provided. Cranes forage in nearby marshes. As Nearest food & lodging: In you walk the dike roads you’ll see Augusta, 4 miles south. marsh birds, wrens and sparrows. The mixed hardwood areas are good places to find Great Crested Flycatchers, Eastern Pewees and American Kestrels. The ponds’ proximity to Lake Eau Claire FASKE RD

Dells Mill make them attractive to migrating or V & Museum nesting waterfowl; look for Canada

SOLIE RD Augusta geese and numerous duck species on State Wildlife Area the ponds. G 27 Directions: From Augusta, drive north 4 miles on Cty. G; then follow it east to the parking area. There is also a park- 12 Augusta ing lot on the east side of the property

G 12 27 off Kelly Road.

Dells Mill and Museum, near Augusta.

22 23 Eau Claire County

23 Carson Park, Half Moon Lake 25 Coon Fork Barrens State Natural Area & Riverview Park Phone: 715/839-3771 Coon Fork Barrens lies between two Web site: dnr.wi.gov tributaries of the Eau Claire River, Coon Carson Park is Eau Claire’s largest; a Phone: 715/839-4914 Signature species: Karner blue Fork Creek and Pea Creek. The property 130-acre peninsula surrounded by Half Web site: www.ci.eau- butterfly, Wild Turkey, and Blue- is 580 acres of gently rolling barrens, claire.wi.us Moon Lake. Its trails, woods, marshes winged Warbler. brushy sand prairie and ferns atop Signature Species: Coot, and brushy areas attract many species Gazetteer: Page 61, C-8. sandy soils. Stunted Jack pine, Hills, Gadwall, Great Horned Owl, and of birds. Hiking trails scale the bluffs. Seasonality: Open all year. black, white and bur oaks accent the Red-breasted Nuthatch. From overlooks you can see Black Parking: Parking area provided. barrens with blueberry and American Gazetteer: Page 60, B-4. Ducks, Wood Ducks and Mallards on Nearest food & lodging: In hazelnut bushes. Birds include the Seasonality: Open all year. Augusta, 6 miles west. the lake below. The park’s many popu- Northern Raven, White-throated Parking: Parking lots provided. lar attractions include the Chippewa Nearest food & lodging: In Eau Sparrow, Clay-colored and Grasshopper Claire. Valley Museum, Paul Bunyan Logging Sparrow, Willow Flycatcher, Bobolink, camp, and an historic baseball field. Goldfinch, Veery and Yellow-rumped P C ea Riverview Park lies along the Chippewa oo Warbler. In the winter the area supports n C River on the city’s north side. An arched Coon Fork reek winter finches. Prairie plant species Barrens SNA F o

r Carson Park bridge crosses the river leading to an k include wild lupine, which supports a River 12 island where you can access the river’s population of rare Karner blue butter- Eau backwaters for Yellow warblers, Willow flies. 12 Claire 53 CF BUS Flycatchers and song sparrows. 12 Directions: From Augusta, drive east D wa K R ippe Directions: Carson Park can be OR Ch N F 1.6 miles on Hwy. 12, then northeast 12 E OO CLAIREMONT AV reached from Carson Park Drive, Lake C on Cty. CF (Coon Fork Road) 4.2 miles T o A ug 85 us M St. or Menomonie St. Riverview Park ta to a parking lot at its intersection with 94 93 12 has numerous entrances along 27 Horse Creek and Goat Ranch Roads. A Riverview Drive. hiking trail runs through the site.

24 Chippewa River State Trail - Phoenix Park, 26 Putnam Park State Natural Area

Eau Claire Trail Head Expect to add some new birds to your Phone: 715/836-2637 checklist when you visit this birding hot Web site: www.uwec.edu Phone: 715/232-1242 or In Eau Claire, the trailhead for the spot. Putnam Park is the best place to Chippewa River State Trail is located in Signature species: Summer 715/839-5032 Tanager, Winter Wren, Purple bird watch in Eau Claire. Owned by the Web site: dnr.wi.gov Phoenix Park at the confluence of the Finch & Cedar Waxwing. University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire, Signature Species: Pine Eau Claire and Chippewa Rivers. The Gazetteer: Page: 61, B-5. habitats range from prairie to old Warblers and Lark Sparrows. trail runs south thirty miles to Durand. Seasonality: Open all year. growth pine to rocky cliffs, marshes Gazetteer: Page 60, B-4. The first eleven miles (to Caryville) are Parking: Parking lot provided. and floodplain forest. There are two Seasonality: Open all year. paved. Nearest food & lodging: In Eau sections to the park, one on each side Parking: Parking lot provided. Trail habitats change from urban wood- Claire. Nearest food & lodging: In Eau of the campus. All of this urban green Claire. land and grassland to agriculture to space acts like a magnet for birds in Fees: Trail pass fees apply hardwood and floodplain forest. High any season. You can see Bald Eagles, outside of the City of Eau Claire. above the trail, Cormorants, Turkey Tufted Titmice, Pine Warblers, Ring- Vultures and Bald Eagles ride the ther- billed Gulls, Purple Finches and Blue- mals. Remnant prairies, grasslands and River Gray Gnatcatchers. shrubby thickets hold Brown Thrashers, 12 Eau Directions: To access the western por- Claire 53 Phoenix Park Bobwhite, Field and Clay-colored 12 tion, walk west from UW-EC parking BUS 12 River Sparrows and Yellow-throated Vireos. 12 wa lot #4 along the interpretive trail into ippe VE Eau In some of the larger, older fields, you Ch CLAIREMONT A

12 the area. To access the eastern portion, S

Claire 53 T 12 A might hear the call of Bobolink and T Putnam Park E use Putnam Drive, which runs through

BUS

85 S SNA 12 Upland Sandpipers. T pewa 94 93 the area and starts across from parking Chip 12 E CLAIREMONT AV Directions: The best access is from First lot #14. Avenue and Fulton Street. 85 94 93

24 25 Grant County 28 Blue River Sand Barrens State Natural Area

Grant County fills the southwestern corner of Phone: 608/375-4123 (DNR) The unstable, sandy soil of this 130- Wisconsin where the Mississippi River sculpts the Web Site: dnr.wi.gov acre terrace along the Wisconsin River state’s border in a great sweeping “S” turn. The Signature Species: Eastern is one of the state’s largest and best attractions here are many. Start your trip at the prickly pear cactus, Hill’s oak, examples of a dry prairie-like landscape Clay-colored, Vesper and Lark and “moving” sand dune communities. Wisconsin Welcome Center on Hwy. 151/61 just Sparrows, Bobolinks and Upland north of the Hwy. 11 interchange where you’ll find Sandpipers. Moving sands are shaped by the wind, plenty of free travel advice, literature, maps and Gazetter: Page 33, C-6. creating “blowouts” or large unvege- tated depressions. A scattered forest of directions (608/748-4484, www.travelwisconsin.com). Seasonality: Open all year during daylight hours. black and Hill’s oaks help to stabilize Along the Mississippi stop in Dickeyville at a Parking: Park along road at the the sand in other areas providing habi- remarkable and fanciful bit of concrete folk art, the Dickeyville southeast corner of the property. tat for false heather and bearberry that Grotto (608/568-3119, www.dickeyville.com). Follow Hwy. 35 a Nearest food & lodging: In have adapted to the dry and harsh con- Muscoda 7 miles east, or Boscobel bit further north to Potosi to see the St. John Lead Mine, 7 miles west. ditions. Reptiles like the six-lined where you can don a hard hat and tour this once ore-rich cave racerunner live here along with many (608/763-2121). Drive on to Cassville where you can camp species of grassland birds and river tur- M tles that nest in the dunes. along the bluffs of Nelson Dewey State Park (608/725-5374, Blue River 60 Sand Barrens www.wiparks.net). You can also visit Stonefield, a replica of an X SNA Directions: From Blue River, go east on 1890’s rural Wisconsin village (866/944-7483, www.wisconsin- River Hwy. 133 for 1.9 miles, then north on

sin Wightman Road 0.25 mile to the history.org/stonefield). In the far northwestern corner of the on isc county, the views from the river bluffs above Wyalusing State W Blue southeast corner of the site. Parking is River Park are special (888/947-2757, www.wiparks.net). along the road. This property lies within 133 the Lower Wisconsin State Riverway. In the north, Fennimore offers the Fennimore Doll and Toy 133 T Museum (888/867-7935) and the Fennimore Railroad Museum with its narrow guage steam engine and miniature train ride (800/822-1131.) In the southeastern corner of the county, Platteville is home to UW-Platteville as well as the Mining Museum & Rollo 29 Nelson Dewey State Park and Dewey Jamison Museum (608/348-3301, www.platteville.com). Here you can descend into an 1845 lead mine, ride a 1931 mine Heights Prairie State Natural Area

Phone: 608/725-5374 Towering bluffs along the Mississippi Web site: dnr.wi.gov River, hidden valleys, and Dewey Creek 27 Bagley Bottoms Boat Landing Signature Species: Eagles, give this 756-acre state park its charac- Carolina Wren, Pileated ter. Located within the park is Dewey Phone: 608/935-3368 This boat landing is typical of many Woodpecker & Cerulean Warbler. Heights Prairie State Natural Area. A Web Site: dnr.wi.gov that are found all along the Mississippi Gazetter: Page 24, C-2. hike along the bluff-top prairie provides Signature Species: Wood ducks, River. Often these small, secluded areas Seasonality: Open all year. panoramic views of the Mississippi River egrets and herons. offer the birder a chance to get close to Parking: Parking throughout park. and river valley. From the pasque-flow- Gazetter: Page 24, A-1 the river and explore the floodplain ers of early spring to the asters of fall, a Seasonality: Open all year. Nearest Food & lodging: Park forests from a slightly elevated road. A offers campsites, or in Cassville diversity of plants bloom here through- Parking: Large gravel parking lot. short hiking trail leads to the backwa- 1.2 miles east of the park. out the season. In the spring and fall, Nearest food & lodging: Private ters of the Mississippi where there are Fee: State park vehicle admission campground and food in Bagley. dozens of migratory species join resi- numerous birds to be found on most sticker required. dent Lark, Field, and Grasshopper days. Species such as Yellow-crowned Sparrows. Bald Eagles winter along this Bagley Bottoms Night Herons, Pileated Woodpeckers Nelson Dewey stretch of the river and can be seen Boat Landing and American Egrets are seen in the State Park from November through March. X area. VV 133 P Directions: From Cassville, go north- Directions: From Bagley, travel .05 mile west on Cty. VV 1.2 miles to the park 81 Bagley northwest on Cty. X to a point nearly entrance. Maps are available at the M Mis is sissi si ppi ss across the road from a private camp- ip park office. Follow the park road to the pi Stonefield Cassville A ground. Bohrineier Road takes you Village bluff summit to reach Dewey Heights

R across the rail road tracks and down to iv I O W A Prairie State Natural Area. er R iv the boat landing parking area. er I O W A

26 27 Grant County

30 Lower Wisconsin River State Wildlife Area tourism photo file

Web Site: dnr.wi.gov In the southwestern corner of the state, Gazetter: Pages 32-33, D1-7. the Wisconsin River forms the boundary Nearest food and lodging: In between Grant and Iowa Counties on Prairie du Chien, Boscobel, Blue the south and Crawford and Richland River and Muscoda. Counties to the north. The Lower Wisconsin River State Wildlife Area flanks that part of the river in several distinct units. Marsh habitat, river bot- tom, agricultural fields, and bluffs host MIKE MCDOWELL an astounding number of bird species from owls to Ruffed Grouse. There are numerous sites clearly identified for public access along Highway 18 in the Bridgeport/Wisconsin River Bottoms area, and east along Cty. C to Bergum Bottoms and Woodman. Continue exploring along Hwy. 133 east to

Great Horned Owl. Boscobel and Muscoda.

Kickapoo 131 Wyalusing State Park. 60 er Riv Woodman 35 27 Wauzeka 133

er Riv 31 Wyalusing State Park and Wyalusing

60 Prairie Walnut Forest State Natural Area du Chien C 133 Phone: 608/996-2261 Located at the confluence of the in ns 18 sco Mississippi and Wisconsin Rivers, 35 Wi Web Site: www.wiparks.net Signature Species: Red- Wyalusing is one of the best places Bridgeport shouldered Hawk, Kentucky and along the river for birding. The 2,628- Prothonotary Warblers, Yellow- Wyalusing acre park offers a diversity of habitat C breasted Chat, Turkey Vultures State Park that attracts many bird species. Within 18 35 18 and Whip-poor-wills. Gazetter: Page 24, A-1. the park, X X 18 133 Seasonality: Open all year. Wyalusing P Parking: Paved lots throughout Walnut Forest property. State Natural MIKE MCDOWELL Nearest food & Lodging: Park Area lies on has electric/non-electric sites for the north face camping, or in Prairie du Chien 6 miles north, or in Bagley 1 mile of a 500 foot- north. high bluff over-

TOURISM PHOTO FILE Fee: State park vehicle admission looking the sticker required. two rivers. The Prothonotary Warbler. forest contains Wisconsin two nearly pure stands of black walnut River trees, and spectacular spring wildflower Wyalusing State Park displays. & Wyalusing Walnut Forest SNA Directions: Traveling south from Prairie C M du Chien, cross the Wisconsin River on is s is X s Hwy. 18/35. Turn west on Cty. C for ip p i X 3.5 miles, then west on Cty. X for 1.1

X miles, then north on the park road for R

iv 1.7 miles to the nature center parking e r lot. Pick up a park map at the park Camping along the lower Wisconsin River. office. 28 29 Jackson County 33 Bear Bluff Peatlands

With nearly a third of its land in state and county Phone: 715/284-1400 (DNR) The Bear Bluff Peatlands is a large and forests, Jackson County is a recreational bonanza in Web site: dnr.wi.gov remote area of bogs, marshes, tama- the center of the state. There’s something for every- Signature species: Timber Wolf, rack and spruce forests, upland oak one, and everyone’s toys. Golden-winged Warblers & forests and fens. The landscape is flat The Black River State Forest (715/284-4103, Yellow-bellied Flycatcher with scattered bluffs and mounds. Gazetteer: Page 51, C-5 www.wiparks.net) alone covers 67,000 acres offer- Upland areas are a good place to find Seasonality: Gravel roads are Black-billed Cuckoos and Scarlet ing 34 miles of horseback riding trails, 33 miles of impassable in winter and at frost mountain bike trails, 33 miles of ATV trails, 51 miles break-up in spring – use paved Tanagers. In the marshes, look for of snowmobile trails, 27 miles of hiking trails, 24 roads only at these times. Green-winged Teal and Hooded Note: This property is in private Mergansers. The fens and peatlands miles of X-C ski trails, backpacking and 98 family campsites. ownership; Wisconsin trespass host White-throated Sparrows, and County forestlands cover another 118,000 acres with many laws apply. Hermit, Nashville and Connecticut camping and day-use options. Nearest food & lodging: In Millston, Tomah or Black River Warblers. Common Raven and Golden- The county promotes 100 miles of ATV/motorcycle trails. Falls crowned Kinglets are found in the areas There are two excellent canoe trails mapped and marked on the dominated with spruce trees. Golden Black River. The Wazee Lake Recreation Area encompasses Eagles winter here along with Sharp-

D 3,000 acres on what was a former iron mine. Wazee Lake, the ty O R tailed Grouse and Northern Saw-whet o C FF T LU B AR former mine site, covers 150 acres and is 355-feet deep, BE Juleane Owls. Wisconsin’s deepest. The water clarity makes it one of the finest Reservoir Directions: Located east of Millston scuba diving lakes in the Midwest. Hunters Peak between the tiny towns of City Point Black River Falls is the county seat. You can catch a little Reservoir and Mather. Access the area from excitement at Majestic Pines Hotel, Bingo & Casino Millston via Cty. O and W. Bear Bluff

Bear Bluff C R

Peatlands A Road (east-west), or from Cranberry N

(800/657-4621, www.mpcwin.com). To wet your whistle, stop B E

R Road (north-south), a paved road along R

at the Pioneer Brewing Company in the historic 1856 Y

R

D the Juneau/Jackson County line. Oderholz Brewery building for a tour and a taste (715/284- 7553, www.cuttingedge.net/~pioneer).

34 Black River State Forest & Dike 17 32 Bauer Brockway Barrens Phone: 715/284-4130 or The Black River State Forest covers State Natural Area 284-1417 67,000 acres in the heart of Jackson Web site: dnr.wi.gov County. Unusual and unique geological Phone: 715/284-1400 Bauer-Brockway Barrens State Natural Signature species: Bald Eagle, features make the property unlike any Web site: dnr.wi.gov Area is a 240-acre sandy barrens with Timber Wolf & Karner blue other Wisconsin state forest. Signature Species: Karner blue scattered open-grown jack pine and butterfly. Unglaciated buttes, sandstone hills and butterfly, Eastern Kingbird and Hill’s Oak. The rare Karner blue butter- Gazetteer: Page 50, B-4. Willow Flycatcher. bluffs like Castle Mound are fun and fly thrives on the prairie’s wild lupine. Seasonality: Open all year. Gazetteer: Page 50, B-3. Other prairie plants include June grass, Parking: Parking lots throughout interesting to explore. Dike 17 is con- Seasonality: Open all year. little bluestem grass, sand primrose, property. sidered by many to be the jewel of this Parking: Parking area provided. bird’s-foot violet, western sunflower Nearest food & lodging: In state forest. The 3700- acre area is Nearest food & lodging: In and cream wild indigo. Shrubs such as Black River Falls. nearly half wildlife refuge. It harbors Black River Falls, 2 miles some unusual endangered and threat- southwest of site. American hazelnut and New Jersey Tea

provide singing platforms for many ened species including massasauga rat-

. .

D tlesnakes, timber wolves and Karner

R D

54 grassland birds including Field and

R

Y

K A

E blue butterfies. Ospery and Bald Eagles W

Bauer Brockway Vesper sparrow, Nashville and Prairie E R

K D C C Barrens SNA R T Black River

O N

N E can be seen overhead. R

Warblers, Indigo Bunting, and Eastern O M State Forest

B E

T L

. T

N T

N To Black River Falls E A . S Directions: From the intersection of Towhee. T N S I-94 and Cty. O in Millston, travel east To Black River Falls Directions: From Black River Falls, go W. BAUER RD. east 0.4 miles on Hwy. 54, then east O on Cty. O into the southern part of the forest, then turn north to Dike 17 on N. 3.8 miles on West Bauer Road, then Millston north 0.2 miles on Brockway Road to a 12 94 Settlement Road. From Black River Falls, Hwys. 54, 27 or 12 can take you north To parking area east of the road. T om W. CASTLE MOUND RD. ah or south into the property. Follow Hwy. 12 to Castle Mound Park.

30 31 Jackson County

35 Castle Mound Pine Forest 37 Wazee Lake Recreation Area

State Natural Area Phone: 715-284-3171 The newest and largest County Park in Castle Mound Park is just south of the Web site: Jackson County is Wazee Lake Phone: 715/284-1400 www.wisconline.com/counties/ city of Black River Falls. It is named for Recreation Area. The 1,300 property Web site: dnr.wi.gov Jackson was the former Jackson County Iron Signature Species: Broad-winged the 400-year-old Cambrian sandstone Signature species: Osprey, Mine and Wazee Lake was the quarry. Hawk, Blue-headed Vireo and butte that rises 180 feet above the sur- Grasshopper Sparrow, Wood Rose-breasted Grosbeak. rounding sand plain. Cliffs up to 30 Thrush. The lake is the Gazetteer: Page 50, B-2. feet high chisel the park’s central back- Gazetteer: Page 50, B-3. deepest inland Seasonality: Open all year. bone ridge. Boulders litter the forest Seasonality: Open all year. lake in the state MIKE MCDOWELL Parking: Parking lot provided. floor beneath red and white pine, oak, Parking: Parking lots provided. and is a popular Nearest food & Lodging: In birch, maple and aspen. Plants like Nearest food & lodging: In destination for Black River Falls. Black River Falls. scuba diving. large-leaved aster, wintergreen and par- Fees: Camping fees apply tridge berry make up the ground layer Miles of hiking vegetation. The Red-breasted Nuthatch, trails and gravel er To 12 iv bike trails will Ea u R Cla pine warbler, solitary vireo and Black- ire 27 take you through throated Green Warblers are found Grasshopper Sparrow. 54 54 prairies and

here. Also seen are Broad-winged .

Black D

R forests. Wazee Lake is a clear, deep, River 94 Castle Hawks, Ovenbirds and Scarlet Tanagers. Y Mound A Falls W non-motor lake that is great for fishing. Pine Forest K Directions: From Black River Falls, go C SNA O R It attracts many kinds of waterfowl,

T B

o .

T east on Hwy. 12 for 0.7 miles to the N o To Black River Falls k 12 m eagles and Osprey. c a a h l W. BAUER RD. B 27 entrance of Castle Mound Park, then west on the access road to the picnic Directions: From the intersection of W. CASTLE MOUND RD. Wazee Lake I-94 and Hwy. 54 in Black River Falls, go area parking lot. A trail leads to the Recreation Area observation tower. east on 54 for .4 mile, then east on West Bauer Road 3.8 miles, then south W. CASTLE MOUN D RD. on South Brockway Road to the entrance. 36 Jay Creek Pine Forest State Natural Area

Phone: 715/284-1400 This property is a mix of wet to dry HERRICK DAVID Web site: dnr.wi.gov pinewoods developed on the flat and Signature Species: Veery, Red- poorly drained soils of extinct Glacial breasted Nuthatch, and Pileated Lake Wisconsin. The uplands are a Woodpecker. northern dry-mesic forest of red and Gazetteer: Page 50, 4-C. white pines, red maples and white Seasonality: Open all year. oaks. Of special interest is a site that Parking: Parking area provided. runs along Jay Creek, a fast moving, Nearest food & lodging: In Black River Falls or Tomah. cold-water stream populated by brook trout. This unusual community is a white pine and red maple swamp that grows on the gently sloping wet sand along the creek. Black spruce is a com- mon tree near the stream along with

O paper and yellow birch and some tama- To Millston rack. Interesting birds found here

D

R include Ovenbird, Pine, Canada and

W

O

R Ja R y Black-throated Green Warbler and Blue-

A

T O

H

G

I headed Vireo.

A C R r T e S e Jay Creek k Directions: From Millston, go east 6.5 Pine Forest HH SNA miles on Cty. O, then south 2,8 miles

E STARLIGHT RD on Straight Arrow Road, then east 0.8 miles on E. Starlight Road to a parking

O area north of the road. Walk north along an old access lane. Black River State Forest.

32 33 La Crosse County 39 Hixon Forest Nature Center, La Crosse Much of La Crosse County is a maze of steep ridge- River Marsh, Riverside Park & Myrick Park lines and valleys known as “coulee country.” It’s a The best birding in La Crosse is found part of Wisconsin that was not flattened by the last Phone: 608/784-0303 Web site: in this group of city parks that collec- glacier some 14,000 years ago. It’s wooded, seclud- www.bigfoot.com/~hfnc tively offer more than 800 acres. ed, and less traveled – practically perfect for birding. Signature Species: Yellow- Hiking trails access bluffs, wetlands, In La Crosse, stop at the Wisconsin Welcome throated Vireo, Great Egret and woodlands and native prairies. Hike to Lincoln Sparrow Center on I-90 (eastbound) for free, statewide trav- the top of Grandad Bluff, the city’s sig- Gazetteer: Page 40, B-1. el literature, maps, directions and advice (608/783- Seasonality: Properties open nature overlook with exceptional views 6403, www.travelwisconsin.com). Grandad Bluff, a dawn to dusk all year; Nature of the Mississippi River. You can even beautiful park atop the bluffs flanking La Crosse, offers Center open Mon-Fri 9am-4pm, observe wildlife from floating observa- Sat-Sun 1-4 pm. tion platforms in the marsh. Grandad Bluff, a beautiful park atop those bluffs, offers a Parking: Parking lots at each stunning view of three states: Wisconsin, Minnesota and Iowa. property. The Hixon Forest Nature Center is Classic steam paddlewheelers still ply the river here: enjoy a Nearest food & lodging: In La an area hub for maps, educational dis- cruise aboard the La Crosse Queen (608/784-8523, Crosse. plays, and naturalist programs. The five- www.greatriver.com/laxqueen), or the Julia Belle Swain mile-long River to Bluff Trail runs from the bluffs of Hixon Forest to Riverside (800/815-1005, www.juliabelle.com). City Brewery, once the 35 16 Park on the Mississippi River. The trail 53 Myrick Heileman’s Old Style Brewery, offers tours (608/785-4283, Park cuts through the La Crosse River Marsh. r

e

v www.citybrewery.com). Historians will like Hixon House, the i 14 R It’s a great way to see this secluded 61 Grandad Victorian home of a former lumber baron (608/782-1980). The Bluff area. Birds vary with the habitat and La Crosse kids will like the Children’s Museum of La Crosse (608/784- include terns, Great Egrets and Virginia

pi

p

i

s

2652, www.childmuseumlax.org). is Rails in the wetlands, Pileated s

is Just north of I-90, Onalaska is a central trailhead for a pair M 33 Woodpeckers and thrushes in the of railbed biking trails: the Great River State Trail and the 14 woodlands. 61 Directions: The Hixon Forest Nature La Crosse River State Trail (608/781-9570, www.wiparks.net). 35 Center is located at 2702 Quarry Road.

38 Goose Island County Park 40 McGilvray Bridges & Van Loon State Wildlife Area Phone: 608-788-7018 This county park is an island in the Web site: www.co.la-crosse.wi.us Mississippi River and is in the heart of Phone: 608/785-9000 The 4,000-acre Van Loon State Wildlife Signature Species: Prothonotary the La Crosse District of the Upper Warblers. Mississippi River National Wildlife and Web site: dnr.wi.gov or Area contains six historic McGilvray arch www.7bridgesrd.org Gazetteer: Page 40, B-1. Fish Refuge. It is a wonderful spot to truss bridges over the Black River built Signature Species: Indigo Seasonality: Open all year. spend a day or more exploring the area circa 1892. Hiking the paths from one Bunting and American Redstart bridge to the next is a wonderful way Parking: Parking Provided. on land or by water. On the canoe trail, Warblers. Nearest food & lodging: In signs will direct you along a marked Gazatteer: Page 49, D-6. to see the bottomlands as well as all of La Crosse/Goose Island Seasonality: Open all year. the region’s woodpecker species, Bald Campground. trail through the sloughs and backwa- ters surrounding this wooded island. Parking: Gravel parking lots. Eagle and Red-shouldered Hawks. The Nearest food & lodging: In vast bottomlands offer year-round bird- 14 La Crosse Exploring the island by water is a great Trempealeau, Onalaska & La Crosse. ing opportunities. In spring, high water 61 way to see muskrat, mink and deer.

r 61 in the Black River makes much of the e 35 v i 14 Goose Island is large and has 400 R campsites that are available by reserva- 53 93 54 land along Hwy. 53 impassable. r e iv However, the highway still offers good Goose tion. There are many family-based activ- R Island visual access to the landscape. Park ities here, but there is enough land to

pi ck Directions: Take Hwy. 53 north from ip accommodate birders and wildlife view- a s l T is B s s Onalaska to Amsterdam Prairie Road to i ers who appreciate quiet landscapes. M K 35 This property is a great place to stop a parking lot for the McGilvray bridges. Van Loon The trail from the first bridge to the and pick up some waterfowl as well as Lake Van Loon SWA

songbirds and raptors for your checklist. sixth bridge and back is 3.7 miles in

M

D A

R length. Van Loon can be accessed by

D

E I

Directions: Take Hwy. 35, 3 miles south of La Crosse to the junction R E

R 53

I

T A

S foot or boat from numerous parking

R M

with Cty. K and follow the main road west into the park. P A lots and a boat landing along Hwy. 53. 34 35 La Crosse County

41 Norskedalen Nature & Heritage Center RJ & LINDA MILLER

Phone: 608/452-3424 “The Norwegian Valley,” or Web site: www.norskedalen.org Norskedalen, is a 400-acre cultural and Signature Species: Black-billed historic site that includes a modern visi- Cuckoo, Tufted Titmouse & tor center and museum, several Eastern Bluebird. restored log pioneer farmsteads, and Gazetteer: Page 40, C-2. five miles of hik- Seasonality: Nature trails open all year. Nature center open summer ing/cross-coun- Mon-Sat 10am-6pm, Sun noon- try ski trails. The 6pm; winter Mon-Fri 10am-4pm, trails meander MIKE MCDOWELL Sun noon-4pm. through a vari- Parking: Parking lots. ety of habitats Fee: Admission fees apply. that are attrac- Nearest food & lodging: In tive to many Coon Valley, 3 miles south on Cty. PI. species of birds and animals.

The flatter lands Bobolink. on these Fall color along the Mississippi near Onalaska. ek e Cr PI “Coulee” parcels (noted for their steep G 162 ridges and valleys) were once farmed. Today, these grassy fields attract mead- Norskedalen n Coo owlarks, Sedge Wrens and Bobolinks. 42 Upper Mississippi River National Wildlife P The property’s woodlands and ravines are home to Great Crested Flycatchers, & Fish Refuge - La Crosse District

Coon P White-eyed Vireo and Baltimore To LaCrosse Valley The Upper Mississippi River National Orioles. Phone: 608-783-8405 14 Wildlife & Fish Refuge is one of the Directions: Located 3 miles north of Web site: 14 Coon Valley on Cty. PI. www.fws.gov/midwest/lacrosse largest wildlife refuges in the US with Signature Species: Canvasback over 200,000 acres of land and water Ducks & Tundra Swans. along 260 miles of river. The scenic Gazetteer: Page 40, B-1. refuge protects habitat along this Seasonality: Open all year. important migratory bird corridor, pro- Parking: Parking lots provided. vides places for people to recreate and Nearest food & lodging: In La RJ & LINDA MILLER leads the traveler through scenic river Crosse, Alma & Trempealeau. channels and to secluded islands. Observation decks and a visitor center

M is welcome the public to this beautiful s is Onalaska sip public resource. p i 157 District Office 16 The La Crosse District area of the 53 refuge is comprised of 46,608 acres of

90 land that covers 35 miles of the Upper Mississippi River Valley and includes

North B Navigation Pools number 7 and 8. The La Crosse 53 16 bird list for the refuge contains 265 species and covers everything from rap- 35 tors to songbirds. You can access the refuge from many sites along the Great River Road, which is Hwy. 53. There are numerous pull-off areas along the road with interpretive signs and observation decks. Or, you can begin your adventure by visiting the visitor center to get maps and additional information on the resource. Directions: The visitor center is located east of the Mississippi River in the City of La Crosse at 555 Lester Avenue. From I-90, exit south on Hwy. 16 and travel to Theater Road. Turn right onto Theater road and continue to Rudy Street. Turn on to Rudy St. and proceed to Lester Bekkam Farmstead at Norskedalen in winter. Avenue and the USFWS building.

36 37 Pepin County 44 Lower Chippewa River State Natural Area Pepin County is defined by Lake Pepin, a 28-mile- Phone: 715/232-1517 The Lower Chippewa River State long, three-mile-wide bulge in the Mississippi Web site: dnr.wi.gov Natural Area features the largest con- River. This natural lake is one of the most popular Signature Species: Paddlefish, centration (2,000 acres) of remaining sailing and boating sections on the Upper Acadian Flycatcher & brittle prairies and savannas in the state. Mississippi. It is formed by the delta of the prickly pear cactus. You’ll find this habitat on floodplain Chippewa River, which backs-up the Mississippi Gazetteer: Page 58. islands in the river channel and in the Seasonality: Open all year. surrounding hillsides. The largest con- much like a natural dam. Parking: Parking Areas Pepin is also famous as the hometown of Little throughout area. tiguous floodplain forest in the House in the Big Woods author Laura Ingalls Nearest food & lodging: In Midwest is located in Tiffany Bottoms Wilder, who was born on a farm near here in 1867. The town Durand and Menomonie. State Wildlife Area, south of Durand. The birds found here reflect this rarity. celebrates its Wilder legacy year-round at the Laura Ingalls They include the state-threatened Red- Wilder Museum (800/442-3011, www.pepinwisconsin.com), shouldered Hawk, Cerulean and and at a wayside replica of the Wilder “little house.” In Hooded Warblers and Yellow-crowned September, “Laura Days” brings special readings, look-alike con- Night Herons. Seventy percent of all the tests, food and fun. The town’s logging, steamboating and rail- fish species in the state find habitat in

road history is hold in the Pepin Depot Museum (715/442- MIKE MCDOWELL the Chippewa and Red Cedar Rivers 6501, www.pepinwisconsin.com). including the rare paddlefish. Away from the Mississippi, the county follows the Chippewa Directions: This State Natural Area River inland to Durand, the county seat, where you’ll find a pair totals 15,000 acres scattered among of boat launches on the river, a golf course and a city swimming many sites along the Chippewa and pool. Durand is also the western trailhead for the Chippewa Red Cedar Rivers in Pepin, Buffalo and River State Trail, a 29.5-mile biking/hiking trail that follows the Dunn Counties. Sites are marked with river all the way to Eau Claire (888/523-3866, DNR State Natural Area signs. Two www.wiparks.net). parking lots are found 3 miles south of Acadian Flycatcher. Pepin on the east side of Hwy 35.

DUNN CO. 43 Chippewa River State Trail

85 Phone: 715/232-1242 The Chippewa River State Trail is a 25 Web site: dnr.wi.gov 26.5-mile railbed trail that meanders 10 Signature Species: Eastern with the river from Durand to Eau Plum City Kingbird, Belted Kingfisher, Claire. Gray Catbirds, Indigo Buntings Durand 10 Willow Flycatcher. and Red-shouldered Hawks are easy to Gazetteer: Page 60, C-1. spot along this trail. Several bridges PEPIN CO. Seasonality: Open all year. along the way make for an interesting BUFFALO CO. Parking: Parking lots provided. hike and are great to photograph. River Nearest food & lodging: In Durand, Menomonie and Eau Along the way, the Red Cedar and Claire. Chippewa Rivers meet about seven Fee: A trail pass is required for all miles northeast of Durand. From that PIERCE CO. uses except hiking. junction, the Red Cedar State Trail runs PEPIN CO.

north 14 miles to Menomonie. The Red 25 Cedar River valley glides through steep

r e rock walls and lush forests. Belted- iv R 25 Kingfishers dive from lofty perches to Chippewa feed on small fish along the river and ire la M C Chippewa u a the songs of Scarlet Tanagers, Eastern River E o State Trail T Wood-Pewee and Whip-poor-wills can 35 be heard along the way. Pepin a Lake w Pe e pin p p i 85 V Directions: Trailheads can be found in h

C Nelson Durand and Eau Claire. 61 10 = Parking area Durand MINNESOTA 35

38 39 Pepin County 45 Maiden Rock Bluff State Natural Area Pierce County

Maiden Rock Bluff overlooks Lake Pepin Pierce County is rivers; seven rivers and eight Phone: 715/232-1517 and is one of Wisconsin’s premiere creeks, to be exact. Walleye, bass and panfish Web site: dnr.wi.gov action is good on the Mississippi, while the coun- Signature Species: Peregrine limestone cliff faces high above the Falcon, Bald Eagle, & Turkey Mississippi River. Extending for nearly a ty’s Kinnickinnic and Rush Rivers are a pair of the Vulture. mile, the 400-foot-high bluff is home finest trout waters in the Midwest. Gazetteer: Page 58, C-1. to nesting Peregrine Falcons; one of The Mississippi and St. Croix Rivers form the Seasonality: Open all year. only six bluffs on the Mississippi River county’s western border. They meet at Prescott. Parking: Parking area at site. where the falcons successfully nest. From an overlook in Mercord Mill Park down- Nearest food & lodging: In Hairbell, slender lip fern and many Stockholm. town, visitors can clearly see the line where the other cliff dwelling plants grow here blue waters of the St. Croix join the dun-colored Mississippi. The along with 250-

T city’s Welcome & Heritage Center is a good place to get area o

M Maiden Rock year-old red cedars.

a i J d Bluff SNA travel information and see exhibits of local history (715/262- e n The open cliff and

R

o

c MIKE MCDOWELL k 3284, www.prescottwi.com). K adjacent dry prairie provide habitat for In the northwestern corner of the county, Kinnickinnic 35 E State Park is popular with boaters who enjoy the large, sandy J rare prairie plants.

M The rocky bluff pro- delta where the Kinnickinnic meets the Mississippi River is si ss ip vides hunting (715/425-1129, www.wiparks.net). In the county’s northeastern pi Stockholm perches and habitat corner, visit Crystal Cave just south of Spring Valley (800/236- for other raptors Bald Eagle. River 35 2283, www.cavern.com/crystalcave). Open April though To P ep including Golden in October, the cave descends about seventy feet and is nearly Eagles, Bald Eagles and Turkey Vultures. 4,000 feet long, the longest in Wisconsin. 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.

47 Freedom Park Learning Center 46 Nine Mile Island State Natural Area Phone: 715/262-5544 Located at the confluence of the St. Croix and Mississippi Rivers, Freedom Phone: 715/232-1517 Accessible only by canoe, Nine Mile Web site: Web site: dnr.wi.gov Island lies within the Chippewa River http://prescottwi.org/prescott.html Park is one of the best places to bird- Signature Species: Prothonotary and Nine Mile Slough ecosystem. Most Signature Species: Bald Eagles watch in the area. The large number of and Black-and white Warblers. of this 900-acre island is floodplain for- & Turkey Vultures. hawks, songbirds and raptors that Gazetteer: Page 60, C-1. est. Silver maple, green ash and swamp Gazeteer: Page 58, B-2. migrate through this area in the spring Seasonality: Open all year. white oak mix with silver maple and Seasonality: Open all year. and fall are impressive. This bluff-top Parking: Boat landing on island. river birch attracting Cerulean, Black- Parking: Parking lot provided. location gives you a fantastic view of Nearest food & lodging: In and white and Prothonotary warblers Nearest food & lodging: In the river for many miles to the north Prescott. Durand. along with Red-shouldered Hawks. The and south. In late winter and into northeast corner of the island is sandy spring, Bald Eagles are seen here in with high quality oak barrens of Hill’s, good numbers. The eagles follow the burr and red oaks. Here one can find melting ice as it recedes, and they are Field and Lark Sparrows and Gray joined on their journey north by large

Catbirds. Prairie plants like the white F numbers of Red-shouldered, Broad-

r wild indigo, stiff goldenrod and rough e winged and Red-tailed Hawks in migra- v 35 29 i Nine Mile R Island SNA blazing-star grow among big and little tion.

r x e bluestem grasses and three species of i 25 v o (The Freedom Park Learning Center will i r R C 10 . drop-seed. t S be constructed in 2005-6. It will be a ire la M C 10 u Directions: Located just north of Prescott wonderful place to learn about the his- a E Mi o ssissipp

T Durand, The main portion of the natu- i tory, geology and nature of the region.)

a w e ral area is accessible by canoe. From Directions: From the Prescott bridge, p 35 ip h Freedom Park Ri C Durand, go northeast 2.5 miles on ver take Hwy. 35 south to Monroe Street. V Learning Center 85 Hwy. 85, then north 2.1 miles on Cty. Turn right on Monroe and travel .6 mile M I N N E S O T A M to a carry-in canoe landing. Park on to the park entrance. Durand 10 the road.

40 41 Pierce County

48 Kinnickinnic State Park & 49 Morgan Coulee Prairie State Natural Area Delta State Natural Area Phone: 608/685-6222 This 54-acre property is a jewel; one of the last large-scale, mostly undisturbed Kinnickinnic State Park straddles the Web site: dnr.wi.gov Phone: 715/425-1129 Signature Species: Eastern dry prairies left in this part of the state. Web site: www.wiparks.net large sandy delta where the Bluebird, Field Sparrow and Morgan Coulee Prairie extends more Signature species: Northern Kinnickinnic River meets the St. Croix Eastern Kingbird. than a half-mile along a steep, south- Waterthrush, Common River. This 1,239-acre park offers Gazetteer: Page 59, D-6. facing bluff in a coulee opening onto Mergansers and Blackburnian panoramic views of the river gorge as Seasonality: Open all year. Warblers. the Rush River Valley. The large prairie well as secluded hiking trails that tra- Parking: Parking along the road. Gazetteer: Page 58, B-2. is broken with scattered islands of bur verse both prairie and upland forests Nearest food & lodging: In Bay Seasonality: Open all year. oak savanna dominated by open grown holding Sedge Wrens, Bobolinks, City, 9 miles east. oaks and shallow wooded draws. Parking: Parking lots provided. Eastern Kingbirds, Clay-colored and Nearest food & lodging: In Grasses found here include big and lit- River Falls, 7 miles east. Grasshopper Sparrows, Pine and tle blue-stem, side-oats and prairie

Fee: State Park fees apply. Mourning Warblers, and Eastern drop-seed. Wildflowers, called forbes,

r e

Bluebirds. There is a large swimming v

i include asters, milkweeds, bergamot R 200TH AVE area and boat-in camping at the delta. and western sunflower. Shrubs include

VE The river here stays open all winter long A hazelnut, bettersweet, smooth sumac, holding Common Mergansers, Canada H T and dogwoods. Darting among the

A 5 8 A 3

T F Kinnickinnic Geese and Common Goldeneyes. Bald flowers are Reakert’s blue butterflies. O

r State Park Morgan Coulee

e h S

s

v Eagles also use the area year around. Prairie SNA i

u

E R Directions: From Maiden Rock, go

R N CEDAR VIEW RD The 100-acre Kinnickinnic River Gorge N north on 385th Street 3.3 miles, then I er iv M R and Delta State Natural Area is a deep 35 S east on 200th Avenue (Morgan Road) c M i valley of sandstone and limestone cut is Maiden K n si .2 miles to the southwest corner of the in in FF ss nick ip Rock by glacial drift. This undisturbed river pi site. ix o QQ r valley holds an amazing variety of birds; C t. S F more than 200 species have been sight- ed in the park, and 120 of these use the park for nesting. Directions: From River Falls, take Hwys. 29/35 south one mile, then 50 west on Cty. FF five miles, then north on Cty. F one mile, then west Nugget Lake County Park on Cedar View Road one mile to the park. Nugget Lake County Park is a 752-acre Phone: 715/639-5611 semi-wilderness park with a 116-acre Web site: www.co.pierce.wi.us/nugget_lake lake as its centerpiece. It is located in /nl_main.htm an area of the county known by geolo- Signature Species: Bald Eagle, gists as the “Rock Elm (shale) American Redstart Warblers and Disturbance,” a four-mile diameter Barred Owl. semicircular meteorite impact site. The Gazetteer: Page 59, C-7.

BOB QUEEN, WISCONSIN DNR large asteroid landed in this area with Seasonality: Open all year. the energy equivalent of 63,000 Parking: Parking lots provided. Nearest food & lodging: In Hiroshima-sized bombs more than 400 Plum city, 4.5 miles south of the million years ago. The impact area park. remained as a shallow sea for millions Fees: Park fees apply. of years. Nuggets of gold and dia- monds discovered near Nugget Lake

HH resulted in it’s name. There is a pair of nesting Bald Eagles on the property. The woodlands hold many Nugget Lake birds including Blue-gray Gnatcatchers, County Park CC Golden-winged Warblers and Wood Nugget Lake Thrush. Directions: From Plum City, go west 2.5 miles on Hwy. 10 to Cty. CC, then 10 To north 3 miles on CC to Cty. HH 1.5 Plu m City miles to the park.

Kinnickinnic State Park.

42 43 Pierce County

51 Rush River Delta State Natural Area St. Croix County

The Rush River Delta protects a flood- St. Croix County is, in many ways, Wisconsin’s Phone: 608/685-6222 western gateway. At Hudson, I-94 links the Web site: dnr.wi.gov plain forest at the mouth of the Rush Signature Species: Baltimore River where it flows into Lake Pepin on metro-Minneapolis market with the lake country Oriole, Yellow-throated vireo and the Mississippi River. Lowland hard- of northwestern Wisconsin. The Wisconsin Acadian Flycatcher. woods dominate the 325-acre property. Welcome Center in Hudson is a great place for Gazetteer: Page 59, D-5. These floodplain forest areas are very statewide and area travel information (715/386- Seasonality: Open all year. important to breeding birds like the 2571, www.travelwisconsin.com). Parking: Parking area provided. Red-shouldered Hawk, Acadian Hudson is both a center for recreation with Nearest food & lodging: In Flycatcher, and Cerulean and Maiden Rock just a mile boating, fishing and swimming, and a historic site southeast of the delta. Prothonotary Warblers. The delta also with picturesque Victorian houses and parks. The center of the holds a small Great Blue Heron rookery. A sand spit extending into Lake Pepin town’s historic district is Octagon House, built in 1855 and er now a museum (715/386-2654). The city’s thriving downtown is iv provides nesting habitat for turtles and R A feeding and nesting areas for shore- graced by the Phipps Center for the Arts (715/386-2305,

h www.thephipps.org). s Rush River birds including Forester’s and Common

u R Delta SNA Terns. Mallard Ducks and Wood Ducks North of Hudson, Somerset is a fun place, particularly on hot

35 use the areas extensively. summer days. Tubing on the Apple River has been Somerset’s S Maiden bread-and-butter for decades. You’ll find a half-dozen friendly Rock Directions: From Maiden Rock, go Miss issip northwest 1.3 miles on Hwy. 35 to a tubing outfitters and campgrounds. pi parking area at the junction with Cty. In northeastern St. Croix County, the New Richmond Riv 35 er A. The natural area lies south of Hwy. Heritage Center showcases local history in a complex that 35. includes 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 brook 52 Trenton Bluff Prairie State Natural Area and rainbow trout.

Phone: 608/685-6222 This 110-acre site consists of two units Web site: www.dnr.state.wi.us of dry prairie situated on steep 300- Signature species: Peregrine foot Mississippi River sandstone bluffs 53 Cylon Marsh & Cylon Wildlife Area Falcon, hognose snake, Eastern capped by massive limestone cliffs. Kingbird. These are some of the best prairies Cylon Marsh is a 513-acre site leased Gazetteer: Page 58, D-4. Phone: 715/684-2914 remaining in the region. The western Web site: dnr.wi.gov by the DNR. It is located on the north- Seasonality: Open all year. unit has two prairie openings with a ern end of Cylon Wildlife Area, a Parking: Parking along roadside. Signature Species: Woodcock wooded draw running between them. and Ruffed Grouse. 2,345-acre property. The combination Nearest food & lodging: In Hager City 1.5 miles east, and in The eastern unit is steeper with an Gazetteer: Page 71, C-6. of the two provides marsh, old fields, Bay City 5 miles east. open cliff and oak woods. Bobolinks, Seasonality: Open all year. woodlands and wetlands for a good Grasshopper and Clay-colored Sparrows Parking: Parking lots provided in variety of wildlife. Woodcock can be are found here along with hognose several locations. observed during their courtship flights snakes, olive hairstreak and Reakert’s Nearest food & lodging: In in the spring. Ruffed blue butterflies. Bald Eagles and Turkey Deer Park or New Richmond. Grouse, pheasants and Vultures glide by on early morning and a variety of waterfowl

late afternoon thermal winds and give can also be found MIKE MCDOWELL

Trenton Bluff one a great opportunity to see these here. Birding along rook Prairie SNA B birds at bluff-top levels and admire k the trails will produce 63 c la B their aerial skills. H Song Sparrows, 35 K VV Directions: From the intersection of Deer Park Eastern Kingbirds and Hwy. 35 and Cty. VV north of Hager Willow Flycatchers. 222ND AVE Abundant wild berries Mississippi Hager City, go west 1.5 miles on Hwy. 35 to a Willow Flycatcher. 46 Ri grow here. City 35 small pull-off in a wooded draw north Willow ver of the road. For the eastern unit, travel Directions: From Deer Park, travel Cylon Marsh & Cylon Wildlife Area 63 north .4 miles on Cty. VV and park south on Hwy 46 for .5 mile to 222nd

3

R 6 iver

S

along the road. Walk due west through U Avenue. Turn left and travel 1 mile to

o the woods and upslope to the prairie. T the property.

44 45 St. Croix County

54 Eau Galle Lake Recreation Area 56 St. Croix Islands State Wildlife Area

Phone: 715/778-5562 This 630-acre property offers a pair of Phone: 715/684-2914 The Apple River and St. Croix River Web site: day-use areas and a campground. A Web site: dnr.wi.gov come together in a delta called the St. www.mvp.usace.army.mil 150-acre lake, swimming beach, hiking Signature Species: Ring-necked Croix Islands. These scattered oak and Signature Species: Bald Eagle & trails, boat launch and good fishing Duck, Canvasback Duck and Bald maple tree-covered islands range in size Osprey. make it a popular summer destination. Eagle. and are easy to access by canoe or Gazetteer: Page 59, B-6. Eau Galle Lake hosts resident Bald Gazetteer: Page 70, C-3. kayak from the St. Croix River. During Seasonality: Open all year. Eagles and Osprey. Broad-winged Seasonality: Open year round. the spring migration nearly every type Parking: Parking lots throughout Hawks, American Kestrels and Great Parking: Parking lot provided. of duck, goose or swan in Wisconsin property. Horned Owls nest in the woods along Nearest food & lodging: In travels through this area. This important Nearest food & lodging: In Somerset, three miles southeast. Spring Valley just south of the with the Wood Thrush, Eastern Pewee, migratory route also serves many park. Indigo Bunting American Woodcock, species of raptors including Bald Eagles, Fees: User fees apply. Ruffed Grouse, Black-billed Cuckoo, Osprey, Red-shouldered Hawk, Turkey and Ruby-throated Hummingbirds. On Vultures, and Northern Harriers.

the water you might spot a Belted Wooded corridors along the Apple

4

9

e t

a I

t NN Kingfisher, Sora, Virginia Rail, Great River hold Wood Thrush, Winter Wren,

s

r

e t

n 210TH AVE I

Eau Galle Lake Blue Heron, Great Egret, and Spotted Pileated and Red-headed Woodpeckers, o T Recreation Area

T

S

Sandpiper. Along the Ox Trail, you’ll Eastern Towhees and Louisiana

H

St. Croix T

0 find a nice mix of warblers including Islands 6 Waterthrush. Summer nesters include B Eau Galle SWA Reservoir Black-and-white, American Redstart, the Ruddy Duck, Green-wing teal and PIERCE ST. CROIX RD. Yellow and Chestnut-sided. St. Croix 192ND AVE American Bitterns. Osprey nest here Spring 29 Directions: Exit I-94 at exit 25, (Hwy. also along with Bald Eagles and Great Valley R I i Blue Herons. B south) for 5.25 miles to Pierce-St. v e B Croix Road. Turn east 1.5 miles and fol- r Directions: To access the area, take I B Somerset 29 low signs to Main Day Use Area. 64 Cty. I northwest 3 miles to 210th 35 Avenue.

55 Oak Ridge Lake & National Waterfowl

Production Area (WPA) RJ & LINDA MILLER

Phone: 715/684-2914 At 149 acres, Oak Ridge Lake is a major Web site: dnr.wi.gov stopover lake during migration for Signature Species: Le Conte’s Tundra and Trumpeter Swans. Many Sparrow, Short-eared Owls and types of ducks, herons and egrets stay Northern Harriers. here all summer. Mallards, Green and Gazetteer: Page 71, C-4. Blue-wing Teal, and Northern Shoveler Parking: Parking areas provided. use the grasslands for nesting and rear Nearest food & lodging: In their young on the lake. As you drive New Richmond, six miles southwest. around the property, look for Short- eared Owls, Northern Harriers and Grasshopper and Clay-colored Sparrows, Dickcissels, Willow Flycatchers, Sedge Wrens, Yellow-head- C 235TH AVE ed Blackbirds and Long-billed Marsh Wrens. WPA properties are purchased H H

T with the monies hunters spend on fed-

Star S Oak Ridge

H

Prairie T Lake 0 eral and state Duck Stamps and are

5

1 220TH AVE managed for the production and har-

T

S 65 vest of waterfowl.

H

Oak Ridge T

0

Lake SWA 7

1

d Direction: From New Richmond travel

n o

m 210TH AVE h

c north 3.5 miles on Hwy. 65, then east 3

i

R

w

e miles on 220th Avenue to Oak Ridge

N

o T 200TH AVE Lake. Great Blue Heron.

46 47 St. Croix County

57 Willow River State Park Trempealeau County

At 2,891 acres, Willow River State Park Trempealeau County is the Mississippi River… and Phone: 715/386-5931 a whole lot more. Web site: www.wipark.net has varied habitats to explore. The Signature species: Henslow’s prairies provide good looks at The city of Trempealeau is the county’s only Sparrow, Yellow –rumped Grasshopper and Clay-colored municipality on the river. From an observation plat- Warblers and Meadowlarks. Sparrows, Eastern and Western form on the Mississippi, you can watch the river Gazetteer: Page 70, D-3. Meadowlarks, Bobolinks and Sedge traffic “lock-through” at Lock & Dam No. 6. Just Seasonality: Open all year. Wrens. Along the edges of the prairies west of town, Perrot State Park offers 1,270- Parking: Parking lots provided. in the shrub layer, look for Gray acres of fun (608/534-6409, www.wiparks.net). Nearest food & lodging: In Catbirds, House Wrens, and Indigo Hudson just south of the park. Choose from 98 campsites, hike 15 miles of trail, Buntings. Fields and woodlands hold Fee: Park fees apply. fish the Mississippi, or climb 500-foot Brady’s Bluff. Just west of Eastern Bluebirds, Tree Swallows, Perrot, the Trempealeau National Wildlife Refuge sprawls Scarlet Tanagers and Rose-breasted Grosbeaks. The park itself offers a across 5,000 acres along the river’s backwaters (608/539-2311, campground, Little Falls Lake, a boat www.fws.gov/midwest/trempealeau). 35 er Just north of the river, apple orchards lovely in spring blos- Riv launch, swimming beach, nature center A and gift shop. som surround Galesville. Along the county’s western border, Willow River ow Arcadia is the home of the Ashley Furniture Company, whose ill State Park Panoramic views of the Willow River W waterfall and Willow River Gorge can owner financed the city’s Memorial Park. The park’s “Avenue A U 12 be enjoyed from several trails and over- of Heroes Walk” is an impressive 54-acre tribute to American looks. veterans with statues and memorials to each of our nation’s UU Directions: Exit I-94 at exit 4. Go wars, including the 9/11 tragedy. Hudson 12 north 3.2 miles on Hwy. 12, Cty. U and Whitehall, in the center of the county, is the county seat.

94 12 Cty. A to the park entrance. The city boasts a central square complete with old-fashioned 35 gazebo, a golf course, and aquatic center. Osseo, in the north- eastern corner of the county, is famous as the original home of the Norske Nook, famous for its mouth-watering pies. 58 Willow River State Wildlife Area & Three Lakes National Waterfowl Production Area 59 Great River State Trail - Trempealeau

Prairie potholes are small, shallow lakes Trempealeau straddles the west end of Phone: 715/684-2914 that are somewhat rare in Wisconsin. Phone: 608/534-6409 the Great River State Trail, a former Web site: dnr.wi.gov Web site: www.wiparks.net Surrounded by open grassland, they are railbed trail that runs 24 miles from Signature Species: Yellow- Signature Species: Sandhill headed Blackbirds and Black irresistible to marshland songbirds and cranes, White-eyed vireos and Onalaska to Marshland. It is the final Terns. waterfowl of all types. The Willow River Alder Flycatchers. leg of a four-trail system that stretches Gazetteer: Page 70, D-3. SNA and Three Lakes are a collection of Gazetteer: Page 48, D-4. 101 miles from central Wisconsin to the Seasonality: Open all year. small lakes that attract Ruddy Ducks, Seasonality: Open all year. Mississippi. In Trempealeau County, the Parking: Parking lots provided. Blue-wing, Northern Shoveler and Parking: Trailhead parking lots in trail meanders north through Perrot Nearest food & lodging: In Canada Geese in good numbers. Trempealeau and Onalaska. State Park and on to the Trempealeau Hudson, about 6 miles Herons and egrets and gulls use the Nearest food & lodging: In National Wildlife Refuge. Or, you can southwest. Trempealeau and Onalaska. area along with Pied-billed Grebes. In ride it southeast to Onalaska in La the grasslands surrounding the pot- Crosse County and enjoy the trek holes, you’ll find Sedge Wrens, through Mississippi River bottomlands. 35 r Bass ive Dickcissels, Bobolinks, Western K The wilderness aspect of this trail will Lake R Great River I Meadowlarks, and Common Yellow- State Trail produce many fine birds including Blue- A throated Warblers, as well as Perrot gray Gnatcatchers, Pileated State Park w Grasshopper Sparrows, Northern Woodpecker, Brown Thrashers and Willo E E Harriers and Short-eared Owls. Trempealeau Bobwhite Quail. M Directions: Take Cty. A north from ississip 35 Directions: Follow Hwy. 35 to the east- pi Willow River SWA A Willow River State Park one mile to 14 ern edge of Trempealeau. There, on the & Three Lakes 61 National Waterfowl Production Area Burkhardt Rd. east to Cty. E. Then fol- west side of the road, you’ll find a well- Willow Ri River v low E east for one mile. The lakes will M I N N E S O T A e marked parking lot and large sign that State Park r be south of the road. interprets the trail.

48 49 Trempealeau County

60 Perrot State Park 62 Trempealeau National Wildlife Refuge

Phone: 608/534-6409 Perrot State Park covers 1,270 acres Phone: 608/539-2311 Established in 1936, this 6,220-acre US Web site: www.wiparks.net along the Mississippi River just west of Web site: Fish & Wildlife Service refuge is consid- Signature Species: Scarlet Trempealeau. It is a mixture of wooded http://midwest.fws.gov/trempeale ered one of the best bird watching Tanagers, Orchard Orioles and hills, bluffs, ravines and lagoons. The au properties in the Midwest with many Bald Eagles. park is an excellent place to visit during Signature Species: Black Terns, amenities including an interpretive cen- Gazatteer: Page 49, D-5. spring and fall bird Grasshopper Sparrow and ter, boardwalks, observation platforms, American Bittern. Seasonality: Open all year migrations offering and a well-marked auto tour. The during daylight hours – park fees Gazetteer: Page 48, D-4. apply. good looks at Seasonality: Open all year refuge’s uplands, bottomland hard- MIKE MCDOWELL Parking: Parking lots throughout migrating water- during daylight hours. wood forest and marshes produce area. fowl, songbirds Parking: Parking lots throughout good birds in any season. Nearest food & lodging: In and Bald Eagles. refuge. Start your tour at the interpretive cen- Trempealeau. The park encom- Nearest food & lodging: In ter where you can get maps and sea- Centerville & Trempealeau. passes two state sonal advice. White Pelicans and Tundra natural areas: Swans are a big draw in May, spending Brady’s Bluff Prairie Scarlet Tanager. several weeks on refuge marshes. is a 65-acre dry Many people return in the fall to see P G 35 prairie found on the southwest facing Peregrine Falcons, Cinnamon Teal and Perrot slope of a steep bluff that rises nearly Marshland rare Jaegers as they migrate south. The K To Trempealeau State Park 35 54

460 feet above the river; and W bottomland hardwood forests offer up

P

R Trempealeau Trempealeau Mountain State Natural A

I Pileated Woodpeckers, Barred Owls and

R National

Trempealeau I E Wildlife Refuge Area, a wooded rock formation that R M D herons. The upland prairie harbors field ississip 35 pi rises 425 feet from the river. It is acces- sparrows, Bobolinks and meadowlarks. 14 61 sible by boat or canoe. Marshland areas attract all types of Directions: From Trempealeau, go water birds including rarities like Ri v Miss M I N N E S O T A e issipp r south on Main Street to South Park i River American Avocets in the spring and Road, then west to the park entrance. Glossy Ibis in the fall. Directions: From Trempealeau, drive north 4 miles on Hwy. 35 to Centerville where the road merges with Hwy. 54 and turns due west. Continue 2.5 miles on 35/54 to West Prairie Road, then .75 miles 61 Trempealeau Lakes State Wildlife Area south to Refuge Road.

Phone: 715/284-1400 The Trempealeau Lakes State Wildlife Web site: dnr.wi.gov Area is only 164 acres in size, but has a

Signature species: Bald Eagles mix of habitats that draw a nice variety RJ & LINDA MILLER and Great Egrets. of animals and birds. The lakes are sep- Gazetteer: Page 48, D-5. arated from the Mississippi River by Seasonality: Open all year. marshes and are ringed with floodplain Parking: Parking lot provided. forests of maple and river birch. Canoe Nearest food & lodging: In or hike the area to see cuckoos, Red- Trempealeau, 2 miles west. shouldered Hawk and Belted Kingfishers. Great Horned and Barred Owls nest here along with Pileated and Red-bellied Woodpeckers. In the winter, springs keep part of the lakes open for birds like the Great Blue Heron who 35 K sometimes winter here. Prairie restora- tions hold grassland birds including Trempealeau Song Sparrows, Common Yellowthroats M issi 35 ssip and Willow Flycatchers. The lakes are pi host to many species of waterfowl. Ri ver 14 61 Directions: From Trempealeau, take Hwy. 35 one mile east toward Lock & Trempealeau Lakes SWA Dam #6. Cross the railroad tracks and turn left 1 mile to the entrance. Trempealeau National Wildlife Refuge. 50 51 Vernon County 64 Genoa National Fish Hatchery

Vernon County is the heart of southwestern Phone: 608/689-2605 The Genoa National Fish Hatchery rears Wisconsin’s “Coulee Country,” a region famous Web site: 23 species of fish including trout, throughout the Midwest for its excellent trout www.fws.gov/midwest/genoa/ northern pike, and walleye. Guided and fishing. Fish more than 200 miles of cold-water Signature Species: Dowitchers, self-guided tours are offered. The area trout streams in a truly pastoral landscape. plovers, herons and egrets. has 17 open-air Gazetter: Page 40, D-1. ponds and 6 race- Along the Mississippi River, Desoto in the Seasonality: Open year round. southwestern corner of the county is the home of ways. Because of Parking: Parking lot. its location at the MIKE MCDOWELL Blackhawk Park & Recreation Area, one of the Nearest food & lodging: In Genoa, 4 miles north on Hwy 35. confluence of the largest campgrounds on the river with 150 camp- Bad Axe and sites (608/623-2707). Further north near Genoa, you can watch Mississippi Rivers, as river traffic passes through Lock & Dam No. 8. the La Crosse Inland, Westby is a community that regularly celebrates its Chapter of the

deep Norwegian roots. Downtown, visit Ocooch Mountain r Audubon Society e Genoa Solitary Sandpiper.

iv 56 Acres, an organic maple syrup and candy maker with a tasty R ranks the hatch- product (800/253-3997, www.ocoochmountainacres.com). ery as a top location for bird watching. Viroqua, the county seat, offers an 18-hole golf course, a $3 On a walk among the rearing ponds, 35 backwaters and sloughs you might see

million indoor pool and aquatics center, and a downtown mix of i

p

p

i

s Genoa Great Egrets, Solitary Sandpipers, Green

s specialty shops and anchor businesses. i s National

s i Fish Hatchery Herons, resident Bald Eagles, and The Kickapoo River snakes through eastern Vernon County. M Pileated and Red-headed Woodpeckers. It’s a favorite with canoeists. You’ll find several outfitters in r ve Ri Directions: Located along Hwy. 35, Ontario. Wildcat Mountain State Park offers thirty campsites d Axe Ba four miles south of Genoa. and 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 riding trails, and a brand-new visitor’s center ready to help you (608/625-2960, http:kvr.state.wi.us). RJ & LINDA MILLER

63 Duck Egg County Forest

Phone: 608/637-5485 At 707 acres, Duck Egg County Forest Web site: is managed for timber. But it’s also a http://lwcd.org/parks.htm flood control project on the North Fork Signature Species: Cooper’s of the Bad Axe River. The Duck Egg Hawk, Bald Eagles and Eastern Flood Control Dam is Bluebirds. large; its spillways and Gazetteer: Page 40, D-3. Seasonality: Open all year. pools attract water- MIKE MCDOWELL Parking: Parking lot provided. fowl and herons. Nearest food & lodging: In Hiking trails take you Viroqua, 10 miles sourtheast. up steep valleys to a hilltop overlook of the spillways. The wooded

Axe River hillsides are filled with warblers in the spring

d a B Duck Egg and fall and the wood- County Forest ed countryside pro- Cooper’s Hawk. Y vides a colorful display To Viroqua Y D E R in the fall.

G

D

I

R IRISH Directions: From Hwy. 27 in Viroqua, travel north 3 miles to Cty. Y. Take Y west (left) for 7.5 miles to Irish Ridge Road and follow to marked entrance. Fly fishing, Vernon County.

52 53 Vernon County

65 Kickapoo Valley Reserve 66 Old Settler’s Park & Genoa Power Plant

Phone: 608/625- 2960 Located in the heart of the Driftless Phone: 608/689-2335 Old Settler’s Park is a wonderful place Web site: http://kvr.state.wi.us Area, the 8,600-acre reserve is a recre- Web site: to stop and view the Mississippi River, Signature Species: Acadian ation area owned by the State of http://www.dairynet.com/ look for birds, or enjoy a leisurely pic- Flycatcher, Cerulean and Kentucky Wisconsin and the Bureau of Indian Signature Species: Ospreys and nic. From the park you can see Turkey Warblers. Affairs. The reserve’s habitat includes Peregrine Falcons Vultures and Red-tailed Hawks, Double- Gazetter: Page 41, D-5. the secluded valley of the Kickapoo Gazetter: Page 40, D-1. crested Cormorants, eagles, Osprey and Seasonality: Reserve open year- River, its forested hillsides and sand- Seasonality: Open all year. Peregrine Falcons round; the Visitor Center is open Parking: Parking lot and picnic daily MD-Oct, 8am- 4:30pm; stone cliffs. Broad-winged Hawks, area. glide along the closed Sun Oct-MD. Winter Wrens and Black-throated Nearest food & lodging: In bluffs to the east. Parking: Parking at visitor center Green Warblers can be found here. The Genoa. The Genoa Power MIKE MCDOWELL and day-use lots. property’s northern border abuts Plant, just south of Nearest food & lodging: In La Wildcat Mountain State Park. Stop at Genoa, has hosted Farge 1.5 miles south, or Ontario 4 miles north. the reserve’s brand-new visitor center nesting Peregrine for maps and interpretive displays. Falcons since 1998 when a nest box Note: The reserve offers overnight Red-tailed Hawk. 35 ntario K was installed on O camping in several designated areas. A To Kickapoo r e the southwest stack. You can park at a Valley relaxing float down the Kickapoo River iv Reserve River R boat landing south of the plant. Look 131 is very popular; several businesses in Genoa

P L poo for adults in March through April, and U Ontario rent canoes and provide shuttle 56 M

icka

C K through July if they’ve brought off a R services. Trout fishing on the area’s E E K brood of young. R many streams is very good. D Old Settler's Park Directions: Old Settlers Park is located Directions: The Kickapoo Valley i & Genoa

p

p

i Power Plant s along Hwy. 35, two miles south of s 82 Reserve Visitor Center is located one i s

s 35 La Farge i mile north of La Farge at S3661 State M Genoa. The Genoa Power Plant is 82 Highway 131. found on the southern edge of Genoa.

67 Wildcat Mountain State Park & Mt. Pisgah Hemlock-Hardwoods State Natural Area KICKAPOO VALLEY RESERVE KICKAPOO VALLEY Phone: 608/337-4775 or This 3,600-acre park offers a variety of 608/785-9000 habitat. Oak, maple, birch, and poplar Web Site: www.wiparks.net dominate the forested valleys. Birds on Signature Species: Eastern Wood the property include Chestnut-sided Pewee & Great Crested Flycatcher. Warbler, Ovenbird and Rose-breasted Gazetter: Page 41, C-6. Grosbeak. Within the park, Mt. Pisgah Seasonality: Open all year. Hemlock-Hardwoods is accessed via the Parking: Parking Lot at picnic area. Hemlock Trail south to the site. The Fee: Park admission fees apply. Kickapoo River meanders here among Camping fees are additional. steep bluffs with relict stands of hem- Nearest Food & Lodging: In lock and yellow birch, with scattered Ontario, 3 miles north on Hwy 33. white pine. The sandstone cliffs support rare plants and many interesting and 131 P 33 hard to find species of birds such as Ontario Louisiana Waterthrush, Cerulean and ZZ Wildcat Kentucky Warblers, and Acadian Mountain River State Park Flycatcher. The views of the Kickapoo 131 33 Valley from the park’s observation over- F looks are quite dramatic. Directions: From the intersection of

poo Hwys. 131 and 33 in Ontario, go east ka 33 c i K Mt. Pisgah and south on Hwy 33 about 2.5 miles, Hemlock-Hardwoods Kickapoo Valley Reserve in winter. SNA then southwest on Park Road.

54 55 More Sources of Tourism Information Wisconsin Welcome Centers

County Contacts Wisconsin Welcome Centers The Wisconsin Department of Tourism operates ten These contacts, in each of the thir- Three Wisconsin Welcome Centers Wisconsin Welcome Centers (WWC) at major highway teen counties in the are located along the Mississippi Mississippi/Chippewa Rivers region, River. Operated by the Wisconsin entrances to the are ready to help you plan your out- Department of Tourism, they can state. They’re great door adventure. They can suggest help you plan a local birding foray, Superior accommodations and restaurants, as or a two-week statewide vacation. places to stop for Hurley well as attractions and other histori- You’ll find Welcome Centers in: maps, travel infor- cal, cultural and environmental opportunities. Prairie du Chien mation, trip plan- (at the Hwy. 18 bridge) ning, brochures and 608/326-2241, 800/432-8747 Buffalo County Clerk’s Office Marinette 608/685-6209 www.travelwisconsin.com publications, vaca- Hudson www.buffalocounty.com tion ideas, or just a Hudson La Crosse Chippewa Valley CVB (at the I-90 rest area, eastbound friendly smile and 715/831-2345, 888/523-3866 only) directions to the www.chippewavalley.net 608/783-6403, 800/432-8747 La Crosse www.travelwisconsin.com nearest restaurant. Prairie du Chien Chamber of Commerce Hudson Centers distribute Prairie du Chien 608/326-8555, 800/732-1673 (Off I-94, exit 2) free publications Kenosha www.prairieduchien.org 715/386-2571, 800/432-8747 Grant County www.travelwisconsin.com that detail Wisconsin Beloit Genoa City Grant County UWEX Office accommodations, 608/723-2125 More Birding Resources www.grantcounty.org/visitor National Audubon Society attractions, events, golfing, camping, biking, birding, state 800/542-2748 Black River Falls Area Chamber of parks, and historic attractions. You can also order these www.audubon.org/states/wi Commerce free publications on-line at 715/284-4658, 800/404-4008 Trempealeau National Wildlife www.travelwisconsin.com, www.blackrivercountry.com Refuge 608/539-2311 or call toll-free 800/432-8747. La Crosse Area CVB http://midwest.fws.gov/trempealeau 608/782-2366, 800/658-9424 www.explorelacrosse.com US Fish & Wildlife Service Upper Mississippi National Fish & Pepin County Visitor Information Wildlife Refuge 715/672-5709, 888/672-5709 www.fws.gov/midwest/uppermissis- www.pepinwisconsin.com sippiriver Pierce County Partners in Tourism, Wisconsin Department of Natural Inc. Resources 715/273-5864, 800/474-3723 608/266-2621 www.travelpiercecounty.com www.dnr.wi.gov Hudson Area Chamber of Commerce & Tourism Bureau 715/386-8411, 800/657-6775 www.hudsonwi.org Trempealeau County Tourism Council 608/534-6615, 800/927-5339 www.trempealeaucountytourism.com Vernon County Tourism Council 608/637-2575 www.visitvernoncounty.com

56 57 Top Ten Things Birders might want to bring on their next Wisconsin foray

10. Your clubs – Wisconsin has more than 400 golf courses available for public play. Can you say “Tee 10 time?” 9. Your Creel – To put the trout in you’re gonna catch on any of 9 Wisconsin’s 2,444 cold water streams. 8. Your Camping Gear – You’ll need it at any of the 5,535 campsites 8 in Wisconsin’s 60 state parks and forests. 7. Your Swimming Suit – There’s a 7 million acres of water in Wisconsin. If that’s not enough, you may stay at a hotel with a pool. And if you’ve brought the kids/grandkids… can 6 you say “Waterpark?” 6. Your canoe – The better to be silent on any of Wisconsin’s 15,000 5 lakes. 5. Your Bike – More than 1,000 miles of surfaced bike trails through- out Wisconsin. 4 4. Your Antiquing Guide – Whoa, better bring the credit card too. 3. Your Camera – It’s gonna be gor- 3 geous out there. 2. Your Appetite – For a cuppa Joe, a slice of pie and a little ala mode at 2 a home-cookin’ café. 1. Your Gazetteer and Compass – 1 Two things John Muir never forgot. ER-070 2005 The Great Wisconsin Birding and Nature Trail benefits from and is supported by contributions to the Endangered Resources Fund through your Wisconsin income tax form, through the purchase of 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 is presented in part by the following sponsors.

For more information visit travelwisconsin.com