The Navarino Wildlife Area is part of the Lower Wolf River Bottomlands Natural Resources Area and extends into the southern part of Shawano County. River access points, trails for different seasons and historic sites offer different ways to explore the county.
Nature on the Water and Trails for Every Season
The Navarino Wildlife Area has developed access points to the Wolf River and connected waterways, including launch sites designed for carrying boats. The Navarino Nature Center maintains hiking, snowshoeing and groomed cross-country ski trails there. It also offers environmental education programs and opportunities to learn skills for outdoor activities. The center offers canoe trips at various times of year; check with the center for current availability.
Other trails and parks also offer different ways to spend time outdoors. Parking for the Mountain-Bay State Trail is available in Eland, Bowler, Shawano and Bonduel. In Eland, the Wiouwash State Trail connects to the Mountain-Bay State Trail. Sturgeon Park has walking and biking trails connected to other local parks; the park also borders the Mountain-Bay State Trail.
Maple Hills offers four difficulty levels, more than 7 miles of groomed skate and freestyle cross-country ski trails, and a 2.5-mile trail reserved exclusively for snowshoeing. The trail types are clearly separated: alongside the cross-country ski trails is a separate snowshoe trail.
The area’s waterfront destinations also each offer something different. Shawano Lake County Park is on the shore of Shawano Lake. Voelz Memorial Park includes Wilson Lake and has a beach, a fishing pier and a boat launch. On the Oconto River, Oconto River Park, also called Pulcifer Park, is a launch or takeout point for canoes and tubing. Hayman Falls County Park, meanwhile, encompasses 54 acres along the Embarrass River and features a small pedestrian bridge and hiking trails.
Discover Art and History
At Walls of Wittenberg, you can visit the murals and Art Park year-round. WOWSPACE hosts art exhibitions, concerts and community events. Mielke Park has a 250-seat theater and an outdoor amphitheater.
Heritage Park brings together historic buildings and artifacts from the history of Shawano County and the city of Shawano. It is located on the site of the county’s first European settlement. The museums there include the John Kast House, built on this site in 1871. Sunset Island is also in Heritage Park: historically known as “Monkey Island,” it was the site of Samuel Farnsworth’s sawmill.
Tours at Heritage Park take place on Saturdays from June through August, between 10:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m. Group tours and tours by appointment are also available at the Shawano County Historical Society museums. Check seasonal hours before you arrive, and request appointments well in advance.
At the Zachow Depot Museum, you can see a replica of the C&NW Standard No. 3 Depot, built in Zachow in 1906. The museum also features a diorama of the town of Zachow in 1949. The Arvid E. Miller Library & Museum archives Mohican history. Its collection includes rare books, maps from the early 17th century, portraits of Mohican people, and government and tribal documents.
In the wider region, Gresham Depot Museum features a 1907 Wisconsin-Northern depot and railroad artifacts. These include telegraph equipment, railroad lanterns, timetables and a freight car. Seasonal tours are held there on Saturdays from June through August, between 1:30 and 4:00 p.m.; check the hours before you arrive.
Local Motifs and Seasonal Encounters
A countywide tourism project counts 409 so-called Barn Quilts displayed on barns throughout the county. The number may change as more quilts may be added. The Shawano Farmers Market is held on Saturdays from June through October at Franklin Park. An Amish community also lives in the Bonduel area and, among other things, offers homemade baked goods.
Explore more destinations: Marion, Shawano, Tilleda, Bowler, Wittenberg, Racine County, Douglas County, Price County.
For the broader travel overview: Wisconsin.
