Guided paddle of Horicon Marsh to be held June 22
Contact(s): Liz Herzmann, DNR wildlife conservation educator, 920-387-7893
HORICON, Wis. - On Saturday, June 22, canoeists and kayakers can join fellow outdoor enthusiasts on a 6.5-mile water trail through Horicon Marsh. Department of Natural Resources wildlife staff will be on hand to help guide paddlers and share information about wildlife of the marsh as boats go downstream through Horicon Marsh into the Rock River.
The trail starts at the Green Head Boat Landing and ends at Nebraska St. Landing in Horicon. 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 DNR, who will be posted at various stopping places along the canoe/kayak trail, a free shuttle back to vehicles, help loading and unloading vessels and free parking. Restroom facilities will be available at the beginning and end of the trail.
See birds and other wildlife while paddling Horicon Marsh.Photo credit: Michelle Ruplinger
DNR wildlife staff will briefly cover topics related to the marsh's wildlife and will be available for any other questions. DNR staff will also be along the route in an airboat to show people one of the many management tools used on Horicon Marsh. This is a great opportunity to talk with experts and learn from some of the people that work at the marsh every day.
For people who have their own canoes or kayaks, there will be a free shuttle provided by Johnson Bus. It will run from 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. from Nebraska Street Boat Landing in Horicon back to your vehicle at Green Head Boat Landing.
There is an open launch time between 7:30 and 10:30 a.m. at the Green Head Boat Landing. Launching after these times runs the risk of missing the shuttle back to vehicles. The route will take three to four hours depending on the wind conditions. This can be a challenging paddle in windy conditions and is not recommended for your first-ever paddle.
For trail maps or other paddle Horicon Marsh information, contact 920-387-7893 or go to www.horiconmarsh.org. GPS coordinates for Greenhead boat landing are N43 30 19.5 W088 35 31.3, and the physical address is N8600 Green Head Road, Horicon, WI 53032.
People who would like to participate but don't have their own vessel, can rent one at Horicon Marsh Boat Tours in Horicon. For convenience, Horicon Marsh Boat Tours will be running their own shuttles to the launch site at Greenhead for an additional fee. To inquire about canoe or kayak rental, contact Blue Heron Boat Landing at 920-485-4663 or visit www.horiconmarsh.com.