Glacial Lake Cranberries

Glacial Lake Cranberries, Inc. shares the cranberry experience with visitors interested in learning more about North America’s native red fruit, Vaccinium macrocarpon.  September and October are the most popular months to visit with the beautiful autumn colors complimenting seas of floating red cranberries. Visitors are welcome to hike, bike or bird, and can stay overnight at The Stone Cottage.

This 6,000 acre property has been producing cranberries since 1873.  Of these acres, approximately 3,000 acres of water reservoir support 330 acres (96 beds) of producing cranberry vines. Another 2,200 acres are in a forestry management plan, and the balance of land is diverse support land.

The reservoirs provide habitat for an abundance of bird species, including Great Blue Herons, Sandhill Cranes, ducks, geese, and Trumpeter Swans, as well as an ideal stopover for other migratory birds. The forested and upland areas of the property provide habitat for diverse flora including: Trailing Arbutus, Pink Lady Slippers (orchid), Blue Flag Iris, Turk’s Cap Lilies, Blazing Star and Black-eyed Susans. Wildlife species include: White-tailed Deer, Ruffed Grouse, Red Fox, badger, raccoon, and otters.  The marshes are also home to many turtles (Blandings & Painted), frogs, and fish.

There are more than 100 varieties of cultivatable cranberries, and primarily seven (7) are grown by Glacial Lake Cranberries, Inc., including: Ben Lear, Bergman, GH 1, Norman LeMunyon, McFarlin, Searles and Stevens.

Tours are by reservation; Please call 715-887-2095. Don’t forget your camera to capture the natural beauty of the area and the cranberry harvest!

Source: Glacial Lake Cranberries website & Wisconsin Rapids Area Convention & Visitors Bureau