Leopold Wetland Management District
31 mi north · Fish and Wildlife Service
Leopold Wetland Management District is named after Aldo Leopold, who is widely acknowledged as the father of wildlife conservation in America.
Outdoors
Wildlife viewing and birding near Madison
Refuges, lakes and wild areas near Madison for wildlife viewing and birdwatching.
21places to see wildlife
31 mito the closest
Good to know: Early mornings and evenings are best for wildlife; bring binoculars and keep a respectful distance.
Closest picks
Wisconsin River Islands
32 mi north · Bureau of Land Management
to your public lands! Wisconsin is home to over 15,000 lakes, 84,000 river miles, and countless islands.
Horicon National Wildlife Refuge
52 mi northeast · Fish and Wildlife Service
At more than 33,000 acres, Horicon Marsh is one of the largest freshwater marshes in the United States and is a critical rest stop for thousands of migrating ducks and Canada geese.
Map of all 21 places
Map of 21 places loads as you scroll.
30 to 75 miles (7)
Leopold Wetland Management District
Leopold Wetland Management District is named after Aldo Leopold, who is widely acknowledged as the father of wildlife conservation in America.
- Biking
- Birding
- Boating
- Cross Country Skiing
- Fishing
- Hiking
- Hunting
- Nature education
Wisconsin River Islands
to your public lands! Wisconsin is home to over 15,000 lakes, 84,000 river miles, and countless islands.
- Birding
- Boating
- Camping
- Canoeing
- Fishing
- Hunting
- Kayaking
- Photography
Horicon National Wildlife Refuge
At more than 33,000 acres, Horicon Marsh is one of the largest freshwater marshes in the United States and is a critical rest stop for thousands of migrating ducks and Canada geese.
- Archery
- Biking
- Birding
- Cross Country Skiing
- Fishing
- Hiking
- Hunting
- Nature education
Ice Age National Scenic Trail
The Ice Age National Scenic Trail spans 1,200 miles, traverses some of Wisconsin's finest geologic and glacial features, and passes through the ancestral lands of 15 Tribes.
- Camping
- Fishing
- Hiking
- Wildlife viewing
Grant River
Spread along the banks of the Upper Mississippi River, the Grant River Campground, located in the "Catfish Capital of Wisconsin," is a modern campground that offers a plethora of outdoor and recreational activities.
- Birding
- Camping
- Evening Programs
- Fishing
- Picnicking
- Water Access
Mississippi River - Pools 11-22
Fifteen campgrounds dot the shoreline along the upper Mississippi River Project. Facilities include campsites, boat ramps, picnic shelters, interpretive programs, hiking trails and eagle watching in the winter months.
- Biking
- Boating
- Camping
- Fishing
- Hiking
- Hotel/Lodge/Resort Privately Owned
- Picnicking
- Water sports
Blanding Landing
Blanding Landing is situated in a lush river valley on the east bank of the great Mississippi, just 13 miles from Galena, Illinois. Rich deposits of minerals line the landscape.
- Birding
- Camping
- Fishing
- Picnicking
- Water Access
- Wildlife viewing
75 miles and farther (14)
Necedah National Wildlife Refuge
The prehistoric lands that make up Necedah National Wildlife Refuge sat at the bottom of Glacial Lake Wisconsin more than 18,000 years ago.
- Archery
- Birding
- Boating
- Cross Country Skiing
- Fishing
- Hiking
- Hunting
- Motor Boat
Mississippi River - Pool 9
Located within the scenic Upper Mississippi River Valley between Genoa, WI and Lynxville, WI.
- Boating
- Camping
- Fishing
- Picnicking
- Water sports
- Wildlife viewing
Driftless Area National Wildlife Refuge
Driftless Area National Wildlife Refuge was established in 1989 under the authority of the Endangered Species Act of 1973. Two federally listed endangered species, the Iowa Pleistocene snail and northern monkshood, are found on the refuge.
- Archery
- Birding
- Boating
- Fishing
- Hiking
- Hunting
- Photography
- Wildlife viewing
Bulger's Hollow Recreation Area
Bulger's Hollow Recreation Area is a hidden gem located on the Mississippi River. Whether you like camping, fishing, boating, or just taking in nature, Bulger's Hollow Recreation Area is the perfect place.
- Birding
- Boating
- Camping
- Canoeing
- Fishing
- Kayaking
- Paddling
- Picnicking
Mississippi River - Pool 10
Located within the scenic Upper Mississippi River Valley between Lynxville, WI. and Guttenberg, IA.
- Boating
- Fishing
- History
- Hotel/Lodge/Resort Privately Owned
- Picnicking
- Water sports
- Wildlife viewing
Effigy Mounds National Monument
The mounds preserved here are considered sacred by many Americans, especially the Monument's 20 culturally associated American Indian tribes.
- Hiking
- Wildlife viewing
Wisconsin River islands in Wisconsin Rapids
Wisconsin, famed for its 84,000 miles of rivers that meander through varying terrain and its 15,000 lakes, is full of places to paddle, float, and fish.
- Camping
- Fishing
- Nature education
- Photography
- Snorkeling
- Water sports
- Wildlife viewing
Mississippi River - Pool 8
Located within the scenic Upper Mississippi River Valley between Dresbach, MN and Genoa, WI.
- Boating
- Camping
- Fishing
- Picnicking
- Water sports
- Wildlife viewing
Mississippi River - Pool 7
Located within the scenic Upper Mississippi River Valley between Trempealeau, WI and Dresbach, MN.
- Boating
- Fishing
- Picnicking
- Water sports
- Wildlife viewing
Mississippi River - Pool 6
Located within the scenic Upper Mississippi River Valley between Trempealeau, WI and Dresbach, MN.
- Boating
- Picnicking
- Water sports
- Wildlife viewing
Trempealeau National Wildlife Refuge
Trempealeau National Wildlife Refuge was established by Executive Order in 1936, by President Franklin D. Roosevelt as a refuge and breeding ground for migratory birds and other wildlife.
- Archery
- Biking
- Birding
- Boating
- Cross Country Skiing
- Fishing
- Hiking
- Hunting
Upper Mississippi River National Wildlife and Fish Refuge
Bordered by steep wooded bluffs that rise 100 to 600 feet above the river valley, the Mississippi River corridor and refuge offer scenic beauty and productive fish and wildlife habitat unmatched in the heart of America.
- Biking
- Birding
- Camping
- Cross Country Skiing
- Fishing
- Hiking
- Hunting
- Motor Boat
Clarks Ferry
Clarks Ferry is a outdoor lovers delight, with fantastic bird watching and lots of shore fishing opportunities with our new accessible fishing dock!
- Birding
- Boating
- Camping
- Fishing
Mississippi River - Pool 5A
There is no public access or facilities at the Lock and Dam. There are public facilities scattered throughout the Pool.Located within the scenic Upper Mississippi River Valley between Winona, MN and Trempealeau, WI.
- Boating
- Fishing
- Picnicking
- Water sports
- Wildlife viewing
Distances are straight-line miles from downtown Madison. Listings come from Recreation.gov’s federal recreation database; check each official page for hours, fees, fire restrictions and closures before you go.
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Questions
Where is the closest place for wildlife & birding near Madison?
Leopold Wetland Management District (Fish and Wildlife Service), about 31 miles north of Madison as the crow flies. Next are Wisconsin River Islands (32 mi) and Horicon National Wildlife Refuge (52 mi).
Who manages these places?
Federal agencies including US Army Corps of Engineers, Fish and Wildlife Service, Bureau of Land Management. Each listing links to its official page for hours, fees, closures and current conditions.