Wisconsin is home to some wild areas that are unbelievably vast and beautiful, and the Necedah National Wildlife Refuge is one of them. Stretching across thousands of acres, the refuge is part of the largest wetland bog in Wisconsin. It’s home to some incredible wildlife, including a population of rare whooping cranes that has to be seen to be believed.

The refuge is located in central Wisconsin, near the village of Necedah. It covers more than 43,000 acres and is part of the 7,800-square-mile Great Central Wisconsin Swamp, the state’s largest wetland bog. It was established in 1939.
Alltrails / Kerrie Adams
About 150,000 people visit the refuge every year for hunting, fishing, hiking, and birdwatching, as well as blueberry, blackberry, and raspberry picking. There are more than 10 miles of trails in the refuge.
Alltrails / Diane Whisman
The refuge has excellent habitat for wildlife, including high-quality wetlands and large tracts of rare oak barrens. At least 110 species of migratory birds pass through the refuge every year.
Facebook / Necedah National Wildlife Refuge

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One species of bird is especially rare and beautiful. Whooping cranes, once common in the Midwest, disappeared for more than a century, but are slowly gaining a fragile foothold, thanks to places like this refuge.
U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service
This Wisconsin refuge is currently working to restore an experimental population of these cranes. In 2001, ultralight aircraft were used to guide the cranes from the refuge to Florida's Chassahowitzka National Wildlife Refuge.
Alltrails / Diane Whisman
Eventually the flock grew to 105 cranes -- the largest population in more than a century. They are not the only rare creatures here: the refuge is also home to the Karner blue butterfly, massasauga rattlesnake, Blanding's turtle, and wild wolf packs.
Facebook / Necedah National Wildlife Refuge

The refuge’s Visitor Center is open with limited hours. The trails, overlooks and observation trails remain open to the public. Learn more about the refuge here. If you enjoy scenic wild areas, here are 10 gorgeous waterfront trails that are worth a visit.

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Featured Addresses
Necedah National Wildlife Refuge Visitor Center, N11385 Headquarters Rd, Necedah, WI 54646, USA