Cranes, Marshes and Sand Country
A day built around the glacial lake bed itself: the refuges and marshes that formed on its floor, then the sandstone bluffs at its southern rim.
Start where the water still sits in the old lake basin. Necedah National Wildlife Refuge anchors the morning, with Meadow Valley and Buckhorn close enough to fill out the day. Finish on the sandstone at Roche-A-Cri, where the lake once met the ridge.
Stops
- 1
Necedah National Wildlife Refuge
The refuge sits on the bed of the ancient lake. Wetlands and oak savanna; an auto tour and trails are the usual way in.
- 2
Meadow Valley Wildlife Area
Open marsh and flowage country south of Necedah, managed for waterfowl.
- 3
Buckhorn State Park
A state park on the Wisconsin River with a beach and wooded campsites.
- 4
Roche-A-Cri State Park
Sandstone bluff at the southern edge of the lake bed. The mound trail is the draw; the rock art is a separate, protected feature.