State guide
When to catch Wisconsinthrough the year
We follow 6 places in Wisconsin for fall foliage, spring migration, wildlife by season, wildflowers and winter wildlife: fall at Apostle Islands and Chequamegon-Nicolet, winter at Necedah Refuge, spring at Necedah Refuge and Trempealeau Refuge and summer at Necedah Refuge. Each timing below is the place's own source, in its words; none is a forecast.
When are you going?
Fall in Wisconsin
Also good in fall
- LakewoodHerons fly south
- Necedah RefugeFall waterfowl migration peaks (September to November); the last cranes, ducks and swans leave by mid-November
From each place's own sources; no peak claimed.
Winter in Wisconsin
Also good in winter
- Necedah RefugeOwls court and nest; bald eagles prepare to nest
From each place's own sources; no peak claimed.
Next peak here after winter
Remind me →Spring in Wisconsin
- SEASON · SPRING MIGRATIONTrempealeau RefugeLate April or early MayWisconsin
“late April or early May” · U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service ↗
Also good in spring
- Chequamegon-NicoletSpring wildflowers, Lost Lake trails
- Necedah RefugeWaterfowl begin to return in mid-March, while ice still covers the wetlands
- Trempealeau RefugeTundra swans, geese and ducks on the main pool, mid-March well into April
From each place's own sources; no peak claimed.
Next peak here after spring
Remind me →Summer in Wisconsin
- SEASON · WILDFLOWERSNecedah RefugeJune through AugustWisconsin
“June through August” · U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service ↗
Also good in summer
- Apostle IslandsBlueberries
- LakewoodHerons nest at Cathedral Pines
- Necedah RefugeKarner blue butterflies on the flowers, late May to late July and into early August
- Trempealeau RefugeBlack tern flocks, from a few to hundreds, from the observation deck in mid-June
From each place's own sources; no peak claimed.
Next peak here after summer
Remind me →Places in Wisconsin
- Spring
- Fall
Places on this map, as a list
- Apostle IslandsFall foliage · Oct (statewide)
- Chequamegon-NicoletFall foliage · Oct (statewide)
- LakewoodFall foliage · Oct (statewide)
- Necedah RefugeSpring migration · MayWildlife by season · late MayWildflowers · June through AugustFall foliage · OctoberWinter wildlife · January through March
- Saint Croix RiverwayFall foliage · Oct (statewide)
- Trempealeau RefugeSpring migration · late April or early May
Planning a Wisconsin trip
Towns to stay in
- Madison, WINecedah Refuge · 76 mi
- Green Bay, WILakewood · 60 mi
- Eau Claire, WIUpper Mississippi River Refuge · 53 mi
- Oshkosh, WINecedah Refuge · 80 mi
- Janesville, WINecedah Refuge · 111 mi
- Menomonee Falls, WIIndiana Dunes · 119 mi
- Wausau, WILakewood · 57 mi
- Stevens Point, WINecedah Refuge · 45 mi
Nearest place we follow, straight-line miles.
Current park alerts (NPS)
- Apostle Islands: Hunting Season Safety ↗
- Apostle Islands: Bear Alert ↗
- Saint Croix Riverway: North Parking Lot at Osceola Landing to Close for Bridge Construction ↗
Browse by season and event
- Fall foliage · 5 places hereFall foliage in Wisconsin →Fall foliage, everywhere →
- Spring migration · 2 places hereSpring migration, everywhere →
- Wildlife by season · 1 place hereWildlife by season, everywhere →
- Wildflowers · 1 place hereWildflowers, everywhere →
- Winter wildlife · 1 place hereWinter wildlife, everywhere →
Questions people ask
Do I need a boat at Apostle Islands?
To visit the islands, yes. The mainland sea caves and Lakeshore Trail start from Meyers Beach.Sources: National Park Service, Apostle Islands things to do ↗ (opens in a new tab), National Park Service, Meyers Beach ↗ (opens in a new tab)
Is there a fall color drive near Lakewood?
Yes. The Forest Service lists a fall color driving tour past Ada Lake, along Ada Lake Road to Diamond Roof Road (Forest Road 2123).Source: US Forest Service, Ada Lake Recreation Area ↗ (opens in a new tab)
Can I climb the Mountain fire tower in the fall at Lakewood?
Yes. The 100-foot tower, about 2.5 miles north of Mountain, is open to climb from May 1 to November 1, daily from 8 a.m. to sunset. The top looks out over the national forest and Oconto County.Source: US Forest Service, Mountain Fire Lookout Tower ↗ (opens in a new tab)
Does it cost anything to visit at Necedah Refuge?
No, there is no charge to visit.Source: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Necedah NWR: Visit Us ↗ (opens in a new tab)
What are the hours at Necedah Refuge?
Refuge lands and trails are open daily from dawn to dusk. The visitor center is open 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., Monday to Friday from May to November and Tuesday to Thursday from December to April, and closed on federal holidays. Hours can change, so it's worth calling 608-565-2551 ahead.Source: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Necedah NWR: Visit Us ↗ (opens in a new tab)
How do I watch young wildlife without disturbing it at Necedah Refuge?
Keep your distance (usually a football field's length), go in small groups, move softly and slowly, and never feed wildlife. If you find a sick, abandoned or injured animal, leave it where it is and call 608-565-2551.Source: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Necedah NWR: Visit Us ↗ (opens in a new tab)
Nearby state guides: Minnesota · Michigan · Iowa · Illinois
Wisconsin in pictures
How we know
- Sep 30SightingsVolunteer observations of deciduous trees and shrubs: share with half or more of their leaves colored, per stateSource (opens USA National Phenology Network, colored leaves observations in a new tab)
- Sep 29Park ServiceSeasonal calendar: waterfowl and cranes return mid-March, warblers arrive with May, Karner blue butterflies, fall waterfowl peakSource (opens U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Necedah NWR: Species (Seasons of Wildlife) in a new tab)
- Sep 29Park ServiceDirections, fees, restrooms, observation areas, trails with birding highlights, hoursSource (opens U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Necedah NWR: Visit Us in a new tab)
- Sep 29Park ServiceWarbler timing, spring waterfowl on the main pool, Prairie’s Edge Tour Loop, trails, pets, restrooms and hoursSource (opens U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Trempealeau NWR: Visit Us in a new tab)