On Saturday, June 24, from 7:30am to 1:00 p.m. you can join fellow outdoor enthusiasts to paddle the six and a half mile water trail through the Horicon Marsh State Wildlife Area. The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources’ wildlife staff will be on hand to help guide you through while educating you about wildlife of the marsh as you make your way downstream through Horicon Marsh into the Rock River.
Equipment not provided, you must bring your own canoe/kayak, paddles, PFD, water and snacks.
Features of the day are the 6.5 mile trail at the Horicon Marsh State Wildlife Area, listening and talking to wildlife staff from the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) who will be posted at various stopping places along the canoe/kayak trail, a free shuttle back to your vehicle, help loading and unloading your vessel, and free parking. The trail starts at the Green Head Boat Landing and ends at Nebraska St. Landing in Horicon.
There is an open launch time between 7:30 and 10:00am at the Green Head Boat Landing. If you launch after these times, you run the risk of missing the shuttle back to your car. The route will take 3-4 hours depending on the wind conditions. Please plan accordingly. This can be a challenging paddle in windy conditions. Not recommended for your first ever paddle.
The DNR wildlife staff will briefly cover topics related to the marsh’s wildlife and will be available for any other questions. This is a great opportunity to talk with experts and learn from some of the people that work at the marsh every day. Restroom facilities will be available at the beginning and end of the trail. No registration is required.
You must provide your own canoe/kayak and a free shuttle will be provided by Johnson Bus. It will run from 10:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. from Nebraska Street Boat Landing in Horicon back to your vehicle at Green Head Boat Landing. The shuttle will move people, not equipment.
For trail maps or other paddle Horicon Marsh information, contact 920-387-7893 or go to www.horiconmarsh.org. GPS coordinates for Green Head boat landing are N43 30 19.5 W088 35 31.3 and physical address is N8600 Green Head Road, Horicon, WI 53032. This is a free event, however donations are always appreciated to help run events like this in the future.