THINGS TO DO IN DODGE COUNTY

Hiking
Numerous trails allow you to explore the land in and around the marsh. Horicon Habitat Hike is a 1.5 mile trail located at the end of N. Palmatory Street in Horicon. The trail will take you through woods, fields and into the marsh. Federal Trail consists of six miles of connecting trails within the Horicon National Wildlife Refuge off Highway 49. Hikers can option for the part of the trail that goes through the redhead nesting area, marshland, prairie area or cattail growth. The most popular section of the trails is a quarter mile wooden boardwalk where you float on the water and meander through the cattails in an area rich with migratory birds.

Bicycling
The Wild Goose Trail was developed on a former railroad grade and spans 32 miles skirting the western edge of the vast Horicon Marsh from Fond du Lac to Clyman Junction. The trail is surfaced with compacted limestone screenings and offers smooth riding. Additional bicycling is available on county roads around the perimeter of Horicon Marsh.

Horseback Riding
Dodge County welcomes horseback riding on a separate 14-mile pathway along the Wild Goose Trail between Highway 60 and Pautsch Road (about four miles north of Burnett). Trail terrain is generally easy riding; however, special caution is necessary in areas with steep side slopes, wet crossings and near highways and roads. The trail surface is grass, dirt and wood chips and winds through wooded and open areas in the right-of-way of the Wild Goose Trail. Horses are not allowed on the limestone-surfaced trail except at designated horse trail crossings.

Automobile Tours
Driving through Dodge County, no matter what season, can be a special treat for anyone. The beautiful countryside displays evidence of the glaciers that once covered the area. Several scenic overlooks around the marsh allow you to view the marsh's different highlights, including the birds and animals that reside there. Follow the brown signs for the Horicon Marsh Parkway, an estimated 50-mile auto tour that encircles the Horicon Marsh, and follows state and county highways through Burnett, Kekoskee, Horicon, Mayville and Waupun.

The auto tour provides access to facilities and sites in and around the Horicon Marsh, including Horicon Department of Natural Resources Service Center on Highway 28 north of Horicon (920-387-7860) and Horicon National Wildlife Refuge Visitor Center located on the northeast side of the Marsh on County Trunk Z (920-387-2658).

The Parkway is easily accessible from U.S. Highway 151 or State Highway 41 by following State Highway 33 to access the south end of the Parkway or Highway 49 to access the north end of the Parkway.

Mileage Charts You will find Dodge County is convenient to many major markets including:

Madison - 30 minutes
Milwaukee - 45 minutes
Green Bay - 2 hours
Chicago - 2 hours a
Twin Cities - 4 hours