Camping along the Lower Wisconsin State Riverway in the Gateway is available on islands and sandbars, Tower Hills State Park and several private and municipal campgrounds. Camping is restricted to no more than three days on state-owned islands and sandbars. Camping at these locations is restricted to persons and their equipment arrived by watercraft only. […]
Facility Category: Public Lands
Arena Pines and Sand Barrens State Natural Area
Arena Pines and Sand Barrens features a somewhat overgrown example of sand barrens vegetated with jack pine, black oak, and river birch. Found along the edge of numerous sand blows scattered throughout the site is the evergreen false heather shrub, which helps stabilize the shifting sands. Also present are a diversity of dry prairie species […]
Blue Mounds County Wildlife Area
This 107-acre conservation area lies adjacent to Brigham County Park and likewise offers scenic views of the Wisconsin River Valley and the Baraboo Hills to the northwest. […]
Phil’s Woods County Natural Resource Area
Phil’s Woods is named for Philip LaFollette, three-time Governor of Wisconsin. His widow, Isabel LaFollette, donated Phil’s Woods to the State of Wisconsin. It was too small for development as a State Park so the property was passed on to Dane County Parks as a natural resource area. You may park and walk to view […]
Ice Age Trail Junction County Natural Resource Area
The 536-acre Ice Age Trail Junction Area, located just east of Verona, will create a Dane County link in the 1000-mile long Ice Age National Scenic Trail. This link, along with its connection to the Military Ridge State Trail, will connect the Ice Age Junction Area with statewide recreational trail networks. The area, which is […]
Mazomanie Oak Barrens State Natural Area
Situated on a broad and gently undulating sand terrace along the Wisconsin River, Mazomanie Oak Barrens features a significant oak barrens remnant containing large scattered black oaks with bur oak, black cherry, and small amounts of white oak. Groves of smaller oaks occur amid sand prairie openings with species such as big and little blue-stem, […]
Mazomanie Bottoms State Natural Area
Mazomanie Bottoms encompasses a large area of Wisconsin River floodplain forest dissected by old river channels that are dry except during periodic floods. Silver maple, elm, basswood, and ash dominate the forest; other trees include swamp white oak, cottonwood, willow, river birch, and hackberry. Openings in the canopy due to elm mortality have a dense […]
Walking Iron County Wildlife Area
This 898-acre property sits between Walking Iron County Park, Mazomanie Recreation Management Area of the Lower Wisconsin State Riverway, and Mazomanie Bottoms State Natural Area, linking thousands of acres of conservation land. Turkey, pheasant, deer, cottontail rabbits, mergansers, and grebes are abundant on the property open to the public for hunting, trapping, fishing, hiking, and […]
Halfway Prairie County Wildlife Area
This 128-acre conservation area across SH 19 from Indian Lake County Park offers a two-mile loop trail for walking, trail running, and cross-country skiing. The property encompasses the former Matz farmstead and features remnants of the limestone farmhouse built around 1907 that burned down in 1949. […]
Black Earth Creek County Wildlife Area Sunnyside Unit
This 292-acre property extends from the lowlands along Black Earth Creek, a Class I trout stream, to high, glaciated ridges, encompassing mostly level and gently rolling lands. The steep hillsides support deciduous woodlands. Varied topography creates many microclimates with the potential for a diverse wildlife habitat. An uncommon ‘goat prairie’ has survived just above the […]
Lower Wisconsin State Riverway Mazomanie Recreation Management Area
The 2,300 acre Mazomanie Recreation Management Area located on the south side of the Wisconsin River Resource offers a range of wetland, open grassland/barrens and forested habitats. The area is a popular destination for pheasant and deer hunters, day hikers, birders and sun bathers at the beach. The area’s extensive network of management roads receives […]
Lower Wisconsin State Riverway Black Hawk Ridge Recreation Management Area
Black Hawk Ridge is an 835-acre area encompassing a high, steep linear ridge with a flat to gently rolling area on top. The historic Wisconsin Heights Battlefield site lies off the northern end of the ridge. Black Hawk Ridge has long been a popular destination for hiking, horseback riding and day use activities on the […]