Horicon Refugewildlife
Wildlife refugeAt Horicon National Wildlife Refuge, fall migration brings impressive numbers of Canada geese, ducks and sandhill cranes, per the Fish and Wildlife Service (a season, not a peak). No official report yet this season.
Updated
Sources for this timing ↓About Horicon Refuge
- What it is
- A wildlife refuge in Wisconsin
- A little history
- On January 23, 1941.
- What you'll see
- Fall geese, ducks and cranes · fall
- Before you go
- Can I bring my dog? Yes, on a leash, on trails and public areas, except the Egret Trail floating boardwalk, where dogs aren't allowed.Can I walk Old Marsh Road in the fall? Not during fall migration: it's closed to hiking and biking, and reopens December 1, when the whole refuge opens for winter hiking, biking, snowshoeing and skiing.
Your guide to the area
- Horicon RefugeLocal timing: fallThis page
- Necedah RefugeLate May85 mi
Where to watch
- Egret Trail Floating BoardwalkA floating boardwalk into the marsh (no dogs on this one trail)
- Highway 49 viewing areaA roadside viewing area with a trail
Worth the drive
- Necedah RefugeWildlife refuge85 milate MaySatMostly Sunny
- Sleeping Bear DunesSeashore153 miFrom late April through Early JuneSatMostly Sunny
- Upper Mississippi River RefugeWildlife refuge154 mifrom April to AugustSatMostly Sunny
- Chequamegon-NicoletNational forest179 miJulySatWidespread Frost then Chance Rain Showers
- Seney RefugeWildlife refuge224 miJune – Aug. to see wildlife with youngSatWidespread Frost then Slight Chance Light Rain
- Chautauqua RefugeWildlife refuge233 miLate May to early JuneSatSunny
The year at Horicon Refuge
- Waterbirds, songbirds and chorusing frogsspring
- Impressive numbers of Canada geese, ducks and sandhill cranesNowfall
- A quiet marsh with otters, muskrats, hawks, owls and coyoteswinter
Questions people ask
When is the best time to see wildlife at Horicon National Wildlife Refuge?
Fall migration brings impressive numbers of Canada geese, ducks and sandhill cranes, per the Fish and Wildlife Service (a season, not a peak): fall. That's general timing for this place, not a peak date or a forecast.
Is it the season at Horicon National Wildlife Refuge right now?
There's no official report yet this season.
What can I see at Horicon in fall?
Impressive numbers of Canada geese, ducks and sandhill cranes on their fall migration.Source: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Horicon National Wildlife Refuge ↗ (opens in a new tab)
Can I bring my dog?
Yes, on a leash, on trails and public areas, except the Egret Trail floating boardwalk, where dogs aren't allowed.Source: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Horicon National Wildlife Refuge ↗ (opens in a new tab)
Is all of Horicon Marsh a federal refuge?
No: the northern two-thirds is the 22,000-acre Horicon National Wildlife Refuge, run by the Fish and Wildlife Service.Source: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Horicon National Wildlife Refuge ↗ (opens in a new tab)
When was the refuge established?
On January 23, 1941.Source: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Horicon National Wildlife Refuge ↗ (opens in a new tab)
Can I walk Old Marsh Road in the fall?
Not during fall migration: it's closed to hiking and biking, and reopens December 1, when the whole refuge opens for winter hiking, biking, snowshoeing and skiing.Source: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Horicon National Wildlife Refuge ↗ (opens in a new tab)
Where are the best spots in Horicon National Wildlife Refuge?
Egret Trail Floating Boardwalk: a floating boardwalk into the marsh (no dogs on this one trail); Highway 49 viewing area: a roadside viewing area with a trail.
What is Horicon National Wildlife Refuge like through the year?
Impressive numbers of Canada geese, ducks and sandhill cranes (Sep–Nov), Waterbirds, songbirds and chorusing frogs (Mar–May) and A quiet marsh with otters, muskrats, hawks, owls and coyotes (Dec–Feb).