Necedah National Wildlife Refuge

One of the “crown jewel” natural destinations of Central Wisconsin is the 44,000-acre Necedah National Wildlife Refuge and Visitor Center. The Refuge, established in 1939, is comprised of a mosaic of natural landscapes – various wetland types, pine-oak woodland and savanna, prairie and open water. By carefully managing these diverse habitats, the Refuge has been successful at reintroducing, restoring and attracting a tremendous number of wildlife species. Rare species that inhabit the Refuge include the timber wolf, black bear, badger, trumpeter swan, whooping crane, bald eagle, whippoorwill, red-headed woodpecker, golden-winged warbler, bobolink and Karner blue butterfly. Prairie plant species, rare elsewhere, are abundant on the Refuge. The open water (“pools”) and wetlands attract countless ducks, geese, shorebirds and other wetland birds and other wildlife, especially during spring and fall migration.

The new Visitor Center offers interpretive displays, maps and information, programs and events, and a well-stocked gift store. Various trails emanate from the visitor center, offering access to wetlands and woodlands and affording ample opportunity to observe wildlife. The Center is open from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm Monday through Saturday year round. An observation tower that provides a “crane’s eye view” of the Refuge is located a half-mile from the Visitor Center.

A visitor to Necedah can enjoy countless recreational activities, including hiking, wildlife viewing, photography, fishing, hunting, environmental education, interpretation, snowshoeing, cross country skiing, and traveling the local township roads that crisscross the refuge by car or bike, not to mention enjoying dramatic autumn colors. At least 230 bird species will tantalize the avid or casual birder!

Whooping Cranes have been reintroduced to Necedah NWR