Parks around Portage

Fox River National Wildlife Refuge, managed by staff at Horicon National Wildlife Refuge, encompasses 1,004 acres of wetland and upland habitat along the Fox River in Marquette County, Wisconsin. Refuge staff restores, enhances, and preserves the oak savanna upland and sedge meadow wetland habitats historically found in extensive areas along the Fox River. Staff manages the wildlife populati...

The Leopold Wetland Management District is named after Aldo Leopold, who is widely acknowledged as the father of wildlife conservation in America. Leopold is perhaps best known as the author of A Sand County Almanac, a book compiled of essays written on his farm in central Wisconsin. In tribute to his philosophy, the Leopold Wetland Management District is dedicated to preserving, restoring, a...

A mere 15,000 years ago during the Ice Age, much of North America lay under a huge glacier. Mammoths, saber tooth cats and cave lions roamed the earth! Some of the best evidence of this glacier is found in Wisconsin such as the state's many lakes, river valleys, gently rolling hills, and ridges. The nearly 1,200 mile Ice Age National Scenic Trail, established in 1980, traces the glacier's edge.

The Gaylord Nelson Wilderness now contains a total of 33,500 acres and is managed by the National Park Service. All of the Wilderness is in the state of Wisconsin. In 2004 the Gaylord Nelson Wilderness became part of the now over 109 million acre National Wilderness Preservation System. In wilderness, you can enjoy challenging recreational activities and extraordinary opportunities for solitude. I...

Love nature? Then take the Great Divide National Scenic Highway through the Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest and revel in the wonderful diversity of plant and animal life in the majestic Northwoods. The byway passes through forests harboring black bear, timber wolves and white-tailed deer. It crosses lakes, swamps and bogs alive with beaver, loons and bald eagles. Lakes and rivers are als...

Recreating in the Chequamegon-Nicolet National ForestHunting opportunities for big game, upland game birds, waterfowl and small game exist across the entire Forest. Fishing for trout or other game fish is available in any of our 600 fishable lakes or 1200 miles of fishable stream. Opportunities to encounter many rare species of fish, wildlife or plants abound. Bird watching, viewing fantastic fall...

Whooping cranes, wolves, Karner blue butterflies, and white-tailed deer call Necedah National Wildlife Refuge "home." Ringed bog hunter dragonflies live in sedge meadows, flying squirrels in upland hardwood timber. Trumpeter swans inhabit the marshes, and badgers the savanna. The habitat mosaic, maintained by prescribed burning, seasonal mowing, and timber clearing, attracts a wide range of wil...

Over 21,000 acres in size, Horicon National Wildlife Refuge is located on the west branch of the Rock River in southeastern Wisconsin and encompasses the northern two-thirds of Horicon Marsh. Horicon Marsh is a shallow, peat-filled lakebed gouged out by the Wisconsin Glacier about 12,000 thousand years ago. The headwaters of the Rock River, Horicon Marsh is 14 miles long and three-to-five ...

This 106-mile loop takes you through the Elkhorn Mountains,gold-mining ghost-towns, and along elegant lakes and rivers. You can learn a lot of history here, as well as enjoy hunting, fishing, camping, boating, skiing, and hiking in a picturesque setting.

Heritage Drive runs through the Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest, comprised of a mix of hardwood trees, giant hemlocks, and pines.

Wisconsin's Great River Road flanks the majestic Mississippi River as it leisurely winds its way along 250 miles of Wisconsin's western border. Along its way, the road is nestled between the river on one side and towering bluffs on the other, becoming one of the most scenic drives in mid-America.

Located within the scenic Upper Mississippi River Valley between Genoa, WI and Lynxville, WI. Project lands are located within the Corps of Engineers Nine Foot Navigation Project and the Fish and Wildlife Service Upper Mississippi River National Wildlife and Fish Refuge. The Main channel provides deep draft boating opportunities while the backwaters provide a wilderness area atmosphere for the ...

Located within the scenic Upper Mississippi River Valley between Dresbach, MN and Genoa, WI. Project lands are located within the Corps of Engineers Nine Foot Navigation Project and the Fish and Wildlife Service Upper Mississippi River National Wildlife and Fish Refuge. The Main channel provides deep draft boating opportunities while the backwaters provide a wilderness area atmosphere for the s...

Discover the dramatic vistas of "Old Man River," from its limestone bluffs in the north to sandy floodplains in the south. Enjoy the hospitality of river townspeople. Visit Iowa's 11 interpretive centers from Effigy Mounds National Monument in the north to George M. Verity Riverboat Museum in Keokuk.

Fifteen campgrounds dot the shoreline along the upper Mississippi River Project. Facilities include campsites, boat ramps, picnic shelters, interpretive programs, hiking trails and eagle watching in the winter months. Fishing is very popular along ?Old Man River.?

The mounds preserved here are considered sacred by many Americans, especially the Monument's 18 culturally associated American Indian tribes. A visit offers opportunities to contemplate the meanings of the mounds and the people who built them. The 200 plus American Indian mounds are located in one of the most picturesque sections of the Upper Mississippi River Valley.

Located within the scenic Upper Mississippi River Valley between Trempealeau, WI and Dresbach, MN. Project lands are located within the Corps of Engineers Nine Foot Navigation Project and the Fish and Wildlife Service Upper Mississippi River National Wildlife and Fish Refuge. The Main channel provides deep draft boating opportunities while the backwaters provide a wilderness area atmosphere for...

The "driftless area" of the Upper Midwest derives its name from the fact that it was unglaciated during the most recent glacial event about 12,000 years ago. Glaciers surrounded but did not pass over this land. Driftless Area National Wildlife Refuge was established in 1989 to protect the Federally endangered Iowa Pleistocene snail and threatened northern monkshood plant. Habitats that su...

Located within the scenic Upper Mississippi River Valley between Lynxville, WI. and Guttenberg, IA. Project lands are located within the Corps of Engineers Nine Foot Navigation Project and the Fish and Wildlife Service Upper Mississippi River National Wildlife and Fish Refuge. The Main channel provides deep draft boating opportunities while the backwaters provide a wilderness area atmosphere for...

Young black terns sit on their floating nest, a great blue heron gracefully flies over the wetland, a gentle breeze blows across the sand prairie, and a wood duck finds shelter in the bottomland forest. Welcome to Trempealeau National Wildlife Refuge! This 6,200-acre refuge lies within the Mississippi flyway, along the Mississippi River in western Wisconsin. It is an isolated backwater, cut...

Located within the scenic Upper Mississippi River Valley between Trempealeau, WI and Dresbach, MN. Project lands are located within the Corps of Engineers Nine Foot Navigation Project and the Fish and Wildlife Service Upper Mississippi River National Wildlife and Fish Refuge. The Main channel provides deep draft boating opportunities while the backwaters provide a wilderness area atmosphere for...

Soaring overhead, a bald eagle wheels and dives to catch a fish from the Upper Mississippi River National Wildlife and Fish Refuge. The 261-mile refuge is the longest river refuge in the continental U.S. The refuge begins at the confluence of the Chippewa River near Wabasha, Minnesota, and ends near Rock Island, Illinois. The refuge lies within four states: Minnesota, Wisconsin, Iowa, and Illino...

There is no public access or facilities at the Lock and Dam. There are public facilities scattered throughout the Pool.Located within the scenic Upper Mississippi River Valley between Winona, MN and Trempealeau, WI. Project lands are located within the Corps of Engineers Nine Foot Navigation Project and the Fish and Wildlife Service Upper Mississippi River National Wildlife and Fish Refuge. Th...

Located within the scenic Upper Mississippi River Valley between Minnesota City, MN and Winona, MN. Project lands are located within the Corps of Engineers Nine Foot Navigation Project and the Fish and Wildlife Service Upper Mississippi River National Wildlife and Fish Refuge. The Main channel provides deep draft boating opportunities while the backwaters provide a wilderness area atmosphere fo...

The Illinois River Valley imparts feelings of awe at the power of the river winding its way through a land form carved by glacial melt water. Experience the seasonal colors and rhythms of the forests, wetlands, bluffs, and prairies on your own or follow one of seven different nature activity guides.