Everywhere is walking distance if you have the time.
~Steven Wright
The City of Horicon is your headquarters for exploring the Horicon Marsh. The 32,000-acre Horicon Marsh is the largest freshwater cattail marsh in the United States. The recreational opportunities on the Horicon Marsh are extraordinary. See a map of the Horicon Marsh.
Wildlife Viewing
The Horicon Marsh has been named a “Wetland of International Importance” by the Ramsar Convention of the United Nations. The marsh supports more than 300 species of birds and numerous other wildlife species. Learn more about the wildlife of the Horicon Marsh.
Birdwatching
Year-round, birdwatchers flock to the Horicon Marsh to enjoy some of the best birding in North America. Learn more about birdwatching on the Horicon Marsh.
Watching Canada Geese
Horicon Marsh is one of North America’s most important habitats for migrating Canada geese. The spring and fall migrations draw thousands of birdwatchers to the marsh. Learn more about the geese of Horicon Marsh.
Boat Tours
Horicon Marsh Boat Tours offers a variety of guided pontoon boat tours of the Horicon Marsh.
Horicon Marsh International Education Center
Located north of the City of Horicon on Hwy 28, the Horicon Marsh International Education Center is a great place to begin your explorations of the Horicon Marsh. The center offers an excellent viewing area that affords spectacular views of the wetlands. Throughout the year, the center offers educational and interpretive programs.
Naturalist Programs
During the spring and the fall, the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources offers a series of public naturalist programs to introduce visitors and interested persons to the geology, history, wildlife and management of the Horicon Marsh ecosystem. Programs will be conducted at the Horicon Marsh International Education Center. No registration is required.
Horicon Marsh Bird Club
Throughout the year, the Horicon Marsh Bird Club hosts hikes and other events, including their annual Horicon Marsh Bird Festival in early May.
Horicon Marsh National Wildlife Refuge
The northern two-thirds of the Horicon Marsh are managed by the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service as the Horicon Marsh National Wildlife Refuge. There are a number of opportunities for hiking and observing wildlife in the 22,000-acre refuge. There is a refuge visitor center that offers some interesting displays and information about the refuge.
The majority of refuge closes to visitor access for wildlife observation and nature photography via hiking, snowshoeing and cross country skiing until December 1st which is the nesting/migration seasons. Public use areas such as auto tour and trails, Bud Cook Hiking Area, Main Sike Road, fishing accesses and Hwy 49 Viewing Area are open year-round for approved recreational activities daylight hours only.
