Necedah Wildlife Refuge Visitor Center Trail

The Visitor Center Hiking Trail consists of two trails: the smaller Muskrat Loop of 0.25 miles and the larger Karner Loop 0.75 miles totaling 1 mile.  The trail starts right at the visitor’s center and takes you to the bridge over Rynearson Pool #1 where you can see anything from Painted Turtles to Canadian Geese to even fish.  From the bridge you can take a seat and observe the Wisconsin Wildlife through a fixed Spotting Scope by a park bench.  Walking farther into the refuge on a boardwalk you’ll hear the sounds of song birds, frogs and other swamp creatures.  Heading up the hill on the gravel path during certain times of the year you’ll see a wide variety of butterflies including the Karner Blue Butterfly which the trail loop was named after.  On top of the hill at one of the observation areas the trail gives you a 360 panoramic view of wetland and rolling terrain with wildlife all around.  Walking up to Rynearson Pool #2 on a long boardwalk among the wetland grasses the scenery is filled with frogs in the warmer months of the year.  Heading back to the Visitor’s Center you’ll pass the butterfly garden which is next to one of the Necedah Wildlife Refuge buildings.

Visitor Center Trail

Overall, this Hiking Trail has probably the most diversity of all the Wildlife Refuges trails: Grasslands, Wetlands, Marsh, Swamps, Savanna, Types of Forest Trees, Insects, Reptiles, Amphibians, Migratory Birds, Waterfowl, Animals and even the trail itself with boardwalks, gravel, terrain and the bridge by the Visitor’s Center.

Main Page – Visitors Center | Visitors Center Trail | Suk Cernery Flowage | Sprague Mather Flowage | Observation Tower | Observation Tower Trail | Lupine Loop Trail | Observation Deck | Harvey’s Pond | Sprague Flowage | Goose Pool | Park Entrance | Boghauter Trail | White – Trail Loop | Refuge Area | Wildlife | Homes & Cabins | Land & Acreage | Photo Gallery | MAP