THINGS TO DO IN DODGE COUNTY

Horicon Marsh is just 15 minutes away! The Horicon Marsh covers 32,000 acres of Dodge County. While the marsh is enchanting at any time of the year, spring, summer and fall are truly spectacular. Hundreds of thousands of migrating waterfowl descend on the marsh, including geese, ducks, swans, cranes, pelicans and heron. The town of Horicon is located at the south end of the marsh among the hills overlooking the Rock River. While the marsh may be Dodge County's best-known attraction, the area includes a number of lakes that provide excellent recreational opportunities. The state-owned, southern third of the marsh (totaling 11,000 acres) is open to the public. The Horicon Habitat Hike is a 1.5-mile loop hiking trail with interpretive signs. It affords excellent opportunities for bird and wildlife viewing. The DNR Field Office offers an observation deck, telescopes and visitor information. Naturalist programs are offered in the spring and fall. N7725 Hwy 29, Horicon. Tel: 920-387-7860

HORICON MARSH BOAT TOURS/BLUE HERON LANDING is highly recommended! One-hour narrated pontoon boat tour of the inner Horicon Marsh offered May-Oct. Two-hour "Birding" tour offered May-Sept (Call for specific days and times). Canoe & Kayak rentals available. Learn about wetland habitat and how to identify numerous bird species by sight and sound. 311B Mill St, Horicon. Telephone Numbers: Voice: 920-485-4663, Fax: 920-485-0133, Toll Free: 800-814-4474

HORICON MARSH RECREATIONAL SITES Self-guided nature exploration and recreation. Horicon TernPike Auto Tour, 3.2 miles in length, opens to vehicles for the season. Main Dike Road opens for vehicles, hiking, and bicycling. Hwy Z, Mayville, WI, 53050 Telephone Number(s): Voice: 920-923-3010, Toll Free: 800-937-9123

GUIDED BIRD HIKES Look for marshland migratory birds and learn how you can help them. Bring your own binoculars and spotting scope, or borrow ours. Meet at the Horicon National Wildlife Refuge Visitor Center on Cty Z

Wild Goose State Trail, open year round. www.dodgecounty.com This is a 34-mile county-operated trail skirting the western edge of the vast Horicon Marsh, from Fond du Lac to Clyman Junction. The Wild Goose Trail is the place to be if you love birds. Every autumn endless V-shaped formations of Canada geese traverse the sky. The vast expanse of Horicon Marsh is an annual stop for all sorts of migratory waterfowl. In summer trailside trees and brush teem with songbirds. For an interesting look at the history of Horicon Marsh, stop at the Marsh Haven Nature Center. You'll learn about the glacier that created the marsh, the wildlife that live here, the Native American tribes who loved it, the pioneers who drained it, and the conservationists who restored it. Get a fantastic "bird's eye view" of the marsh from the center's observation tower. Winter ATV trail 20 miles weather permitting, Dodge County Segment ONLY; call ahead for info. Donations accepted.

Astico Park provides over a mile of hiking trails; most of which follow the Crawfish River shoreline. Other trails and paths meander throughout the open and wooded areas of the park and provide scenic views of the surrounding countryside and link facilities within the park. N3620 Hwy TT, Columbus, WI. Phone : 920-623-5272

Ledge Park provides over two miles of hiking trails winding throughout the 83-acre property. There are 4 distinct trail sections traversing the park, ranging in difficulty from beginners to expert. M7403 Park Road, Horicon. Phone: 920-387-5450

Area Recreation & Attractions - within a 30-minute drive

Sinissippi Ski Club They put on shows and offer low cost water skiing lessons, just up the road on Hwy E. www.sinissippi.waterski.org

Donna's Organic Gardens Organic pasture raised beef, chickens & hogs. Organic vegetables, fruits: tomatoes, pumpkins, potatoes, sweet corn, strawberries, raspberries & gourds. Crafts. Off Hwy 60, Hustisford.

Waldvogel's Farm Waldvogel's Farm is Dodge County's largest farm market, offering the sweetest corn we've ever tasted. There's also family fun including mini golf, fall school tours, barnyard critters, fall hayrides, corn maze, the Lost Pumpkin Mine, Haunted Granary, hay Barn, Giant Underground Slide, and their famous caramel apples and pies. Located between Beaver Dam and Horicon on County Road I, 1 1/4 miles north of Hwy 33. Open May through October. N7416 Cty. I,Juneau, (920) 885-9590 or (800) 589-9590. www.waldvogelfarm.com

Powercom Park Raceway 1/3-mile, clay, high-banked, oval track. N7086 N. Raceway, Beaver Dam. 920-887-1600 Seippel Homestead & Center for the Arts 1605 North Spring Street, Beaver Dam. (920) 885-3635 or (920) 887-8593 www.bdaaa.org. Open year round.

TAG Center Indoor Aquatic & Fitness, Mayville. Open year round. State of the Art 46,000 sq. ft. Aquatic and Fitness Center. Built 2002. Water park like atmosphere. 228 foot long tube slide, interactive play areas, 3 lap lanes, current channel. Fitness center with cardiovascular and resistance machines, free weight area. Gymnasium with suspended walking and running track. Community rooms available. Facility for all ages. Lounge. Outside Deck. Classes.

Theresa March Wildlife Area, Theresa. Open year round. Wildlife viewing, fishing, trapping, snowmobiling and hiking. Principal wildlife: Ducks, geese, deer, pheasants, rabbits, squirrels, great egrets, raptors, shorebirds, common terns. Beaver Dam Area Community Theatre - Spring, Summer, Fall, & Christmas productions feature local amateur talents. For information on current or upcoming shows and tickets, contact the Beaver Dam Area Chamber of Commerce, 127 South Spring Street, Beaver Dam, (920) 887-8879. www.bdact.

Dodge County Historical Society Museum 105 Park Avenue Beaver Dam WI 53916 (920) 887-1266 CLOSED ON MONDAY'S HOURS: October 1 through May 31 -- Tues - Sat, 1:00 - 4:00 p.m. June 1 through September 30 -- Tues - Sat, Noon - 4:00 p.m.

Stage II and Children's Tell-A-Tale Theatre - Offered through Beaver Dam Area Community Theatre. For more information, visit the Beaver Dam Area Community, 219 North Spring Street, Beaver Dam. (920) 885-6891 Theatre website at www.bdact.org.

Beaver Dam Antique Mall, General line of antiques, including books, glassware, Depression, dolls, jewelry, cookie jars, quilts, string holders and furniture in unique, 3-level, wood floor & tin ceilinged surroundings. 30 plus dealers. 142 Front St., Beaver Dam

Beaver Dam Country Club/Golf Course - W8884 Sunset Dr., Beaver Dam, 920-885-6614

Horicon Aquatic Center is a state of the art recreation facility, designed from the ground up with fun in mind. Discher Park, Horicon. 920-485-3522 Some of its more prominent features are: Zero-depth to a depth of up to 12.5 feet. Six lane-twenty-five meter competitive lap pool. Two one-meter diving boards. An umbrella spray, and water curtains in the kids' section. Two 140 ft. Water Slides (one enclosed). Concession Stand with table and chairs. Chaise Lounge chairs and grass area. Bathhouse with private and handicap accessible changing & shower areas with coin lockers.

Busy Berry, Stawberry picking. W2178 Pond Rd, Neosho. (920-)625-2599

The Golf Club at Camelot - 18-hole golf course located on edge of Northern Kettle Moraine area. Fully irrigated, practice facilities, on-site golf pro; professional outing/meeting/banquet consultants; multiple meeting/banquet facilities. W192 State Road 67, Lomira. (920) 269-4949

Carriage Haus Shops - 7 shops combine to be one great store!! Gifts, birding, art, candy, learning toys, Christmas, home decor, many one of a kind. Near Horicon Marsh in historic downtown.

Crystal Lake Park, Beaver Dam. This 43-acre park, with 2 bodies of water and natural spring, is an active year-round recreational facility including a disc golf course.

Dodge County Historical Museum - Local history displayed in the former county courthouse. 105 Park Ave, Beaver Dam. (920) 887-1266

Fox Lake Golf Course - N10500 Indian Point Rd, Fox Lake. (920) 928-2508

Honey Acres, Honey of a Museum - Founded in 1852, this unusual museum highlights bees, beekeepers and the making of honey. Visitors can sample honey in the tower gift shop, take a nature walk with scenic views, or watch their Honey of a Museum video. Worth a trip just for the free samples! N1557 State Road 67, Ashippun. (920) 474-4411

Mayville Golf Club - 18 Hole public golf course, carts, pro shop, sandwich grill & bar. Instruction for adults and Youth; Driving Range will open late summer/fall 2004. Call for tee time. 325 S. German St., Mayville. (920) 387-2999

Mayville Historical Society - Tour Hollenstein Wagon & Carriage Factory and Home from 1888. Annual Ice Cream Socia with Fresh Strawberries, last Sunday in June. Local Business memorabilia, relics from Iron Industry and Hollenstein carriages. Barber Shop, Cigar Factory, Fire House Corner Bridge & German Streets, Mayville. (920) 387-5530

Mayville Limestone School Museum - Used as school for 125 years from 1857-1981. Now houses various exhibits - newly restored exhibit of local photography by Edgar Mueller; Iron Mining and smelting history; arrowheads and hammerheads; local celebrities; wild game mounts from around the world; classrooms of the past. 215 N Main, Mayville. 920-387-2593

Nancy's Notions Retail Store - showcases thousands of handy notions; hundreds of bolts of fabric; quilting, serging, and embroidery machines; and sewing cabinets and chairs - plus classroom instruction for every skill level. It's home to Public Television's, Sewing With Nancy. 333 Beichl Ave, Beaver Dam. 920-887-7321

Farm Tractor Pull & 4-Wheel Drive Truck Pull - Tractor and truck pulls including a modified nitro-burning garden tractor pull. State Highway 68 & County Road A, Fox Lake. 920-928-3295

Zor Shrine Circus , Not for those who fear clowns! Summer circus featuring clowns, elephants, and other acts. Dodge County Fairgrounds, Beaver Dam, 608-833-6343

Farmers Markets All Summer Long

BEAVER DAM: Wednesdays and Saturdays, Beaver Dam Mall Parking Lot, May-October, 8am-1pm. (920) 887-3106

HORICON: Thursdays, Corner of Hwy. 33 and Cedar St., May-October, 8am-Noon. (920) 485-3200

JUNEAU: Fridays, Courthouse Square, June-September, 7am-Noon. (920) 386-3359

MAYVILLE: Wednesdays, Downtown, June-October, 7am-Noon. (920) 387-1167

WATERTOWN: Second Tuesday each month, North First Street Parking Lot, April-October, 7am-Noon. (877) SEE-WTTN

AREA RESTAURANTS

Rock River Bar, Tap & Lanes The Rock River Tap has been serving the area with great sandwiches, drink specials, and good times all in a friendly atmosphere since the 1980s. Great fish fry. 96 S. Lake Street. 920-439-8298

Diane's Restaurant, 147 N. Lake Street, Hustisford. 920-349-8939 Good Friday Fish Fry.

Karen's Lone Pine Tap, just up the street at N4571 Hwy E. Great lake & sunset views from their deck in the summer and stock car ice racing from January 1 through February, every Sunday at noon. Very tasty Friday fish fry. 920-349-3733.

Iron Ridge Inn Restaurant has been family-owned for over 30 years. Evenings, dining is available at the Iron Ridge Inn Restaurant, known for its steaks and seafood and featuring Prime Rib Buffet. Now offering Sunday brunch. 125 S. Main St., Iron Ridge, (920) 387-3348, www.ironridgeinn.com

The Nile Club, In the shape of a pyramid, it was voted Area's Best Seafood restaurant in 2002 and 2003. Dine in a casual and unique Egyptian atmosphere, and enjoy live entertainment on Saturday evenings. There's also a Sunday brunch available from 10 am to 2 pm. Sunday Brunch served Labor Day through Father's Day. Banquet facilities are available for groups of 20 to 250. W6711 Hwy 33 E.,Juneau, (920) 885-6611 www.thenileclub.com

The Blew Inn, serving Chinese food & prime rib nightly. Located 6 miles south of Juneau on Hwy. 16 & 60. 696-3711

Ginger's Hide-Away Restaurant & Bar, 302 E Lake Street, Horicon. 920-485-4856 Snapper Vick's Mexican Restaurant, Hwy WS, Woodland, WI near Iron Ridge. 920-625-3441

Joan's Country Cookin', hearty breakfasts, open from 5:30 am to 2 pm, Mon-Sat. 469 E. Rubicon St., Hustisford, WI. 920-349-3511.

Misc Dodge Country Stuff...
Choose where to spend your vacation days in Dodge County - on the lakes, trails, golf courses, or in the museums, restaurants, shops and bed and breakfasts. Find numerous bodies of water for fishing, boating, canoeing, kayaking and swimming. The extensive trail systems in Dodge County vary in length and year-round recreational activity usage, such as hiking, bicycling, auto tours, horseback riding, cross-country skiing, snowmobiling, snowshoeing and ATV riding. Dodge County's museums provide education through demonstrations, exhibits and architecture. The arts are alive in Dodge County, where you can view performing or visual arts.

Splish, splashing around...
Pack your fishing gear any time of year and head to Dodge County for a variety of fishing, including walleye, bluegill, crappies, northern pike and catfish.

Beaver Dam Lake, the largest lake in Dodge County, is the location for a multitude of events and activities throughout the year. The 6,600 acre lake is shallow with a mud bottom, contains a name of small islands and more than 41 miles of shoreline. Public access is available at Derge, Edgewater, Water Works and Tahoe parks.

Fox Lake is one of the best walleye lakes in Wisconsin. The six islands enhance the lake's hunting and fishing opportunities. Fox Lake has a maximum depth of 19 feet and nearly 18 miles of shoreline. Public access is available on the south end of the lake at Town and Riverside parks.

Water enthusiasts find Lake Sinissippi a haven for year-round activities. Fed by the Rock River, Lake Sinissippi features a surface area of 2,855 acres and is a favorite with boaters and water skiers. Access is available at ramps off Wildcat Drive, Lakeview Road and Arrowhead Trail.

The Upper Rock River Basin forms in Horicon Marsh where the East and West branches of the Rock River come together. The basin is bounded on the east by the Niagara escarpment and the eastern terminal moraine, formed by the Green Bay lobe during the last glaciated period in Wisconsin, which resulted in the extensive drumlin fields throughout Dodge County. The largest water features in the basin are the Rock River, the Crawfish River, the Beaver Dam River, Horicon Marsh, Beaver Dam Lake, and Lake Sinissippi. Northern pike, panfish, catfish, and other species are to be found in the river and channels of the marsh.

Animals ahead...
People flock to Horicon Marsh, similar to geese, but on a quest to capture the birds, wildlife and scenic surrounding land on film or video. With such abundant populations of mammals, fish, birds, beavers and more, there is always something to watch, pursue, and learn about. Explore on your own or attend one of the free public naturalist programs. Hunting opportunities for ducks, geese, deer, pheasant, turkey, and small game are abundant throughout state-owned lands and various public hunting grounds. Visit www.dodgecounty.com for current regulations.

Moving down the trail...
Dodge County provides safe and scenic locations to enjoy the county's beauty. Whether by foot, bicycle, horseback, or automobile, you'll discover wonderful landscapes and breathtaking views.

Hiking
Numerous trails allow you to explore the land in and around the marsh. Horicon Habitat Hike is a 1.5 mile trail located at the end of N. Palmatory Street in Horicon. The trail will take you through woods, fields and into the marsh. Federal Trail consists of six miles of connecting trails within the Horicon National Wildlife Refuge off Highway 49. Hikers can option for the part of the trail that goes through the redhead nesting area, marshland, prairie area or cattail growth. The most popular section of the trails is a quarter mile wooden boardwalk where you float on the water and meander through the cattails in an area rich with migratory birds.

Bicycling
The Wild Goose Trail was developed on a former railroad grade and spans 32 miles skirting the western edge of the vast Horicon Marsh from Fond du Lac to Clyman Junction. The trail is surfaced with compacted limestone screenings and offers smooth riding. Additional bicycling is available on county roads around the perimeter of Horicon Marsh.

Horseback Riding
Dodge County welcomes horseback riding on a separate 14-mile pathway along the Wild Goose Trail between Highway 60 and Pautsch Road (about four miles north of Burnett). Trail terrain is generally easy riding; however, special caution is necessary in areas with steep side slopes, wet crossings and near highways and roads. The trail surface is grass, dirt and wood chips and winds through wooded and open areas in the right-of-way of the Wild Goose Trail. Horses are not allowed on the limestone-surfaced trail except at designated horse trail crossings.

Automobile Tours
Driving through Dodge County, no matter what season, can be a special treat for anyone. The beautiful countryside displays evidence of the glaciers that once covered the area. Several scenic overlooks around the marsh allow you to view the marsh's different highlights, including the birds and animals that reside there. Follow the brown signs for the Horicon Marsh Parkway, an estimated 50-mile auto tour that encircles the Horicon Marsh, and follows state and county highways through Burnett, Kekoskee, Horicon, Mayville and Waupun.

The auto tour provides access to facilities and sites in and around the Horicon Marsh, including Horicon Department of Natural Resources Service Center on Highway 28 north of Horicon (920-387-7860) and Horicon National Wildlife Refuge Visitor Center located on the northeast side of the Marsh on County Trunk Z (920-387-2658).

The Parkway is easily accessible from U.S. Highway 151 or State Highway 41 by following State Highway 33 to access the south end of the Parkway or Highway 49 to access the north end of the Parkway.

Golfing
Dodge County's courses will challenge any golfer, no matter what skill level. Enjoy reasonable rates at these well manicured courses: The Golf Club at Camelot in Lomira, Mayville Golf Course, Old Hickory Golf Club in Beaver Dam, and Rock River Hills Golf Course in Horicon.

Plenty of Indoor Fun...
While visiting Dodge County, plan to spend time indoors too. Numerous shopping options include antiques, crafts, home decorations, cheese and meat products, and spices and sauces. Learn the fascinating tales of Dodge County's history. Go back in time to one of the museums and historical societies that feature special collections and artifacts including Dodge Centre Museum, Dodge County Historical Museum, Fox Lake Historical Museum, Hollenstein Wagon and Carriage Factory Museum, Horicon Historical Society's Satterlee Clark Home Museum, John Hustis House, Mayville Limestone School Museum, Old Village Hall Museum, Solomon Juneau House, and Waupun Heritage Museum

For additional museum and tour options, visit Honey Acres - Honey of a Museum in Ashippun; Christopher Columbus Museum in Columbus; and Widmer's Cheese Cellars in Theresa.

The Seippel Homestead and Center for the Arts in Beaver Dam presents art exhibits and programs. Choose from several produtions throughout the year at Beaver Dam Area Community Theatre.

Mileage Charts You will find Dodge County is convenient to many major markets including:

Madison - 30 minutes
Milwaukee - 45 minutes
Green Bay - 2 hours
Chicago - 2 hours a
Twin Cities - 4 hours