Hiking — Navarino has approximately 100 miles of trails for hiking, all trails are multiple use providing access for maintenance, logging, skiing, etc.  Trails run through various habitats: Prairie, Upland & Lowland Forests, Wetlands (Bogs, Marshes and Sedge Meadows), and around flowages.

 

Bird Watching - Ducks, Geese and of course Sandhill cranes dominate the flowages of Navarino, however their are many other song birds in the prairies and forests.  Check out the Navarino Bird Checklists for more details.

     101 Birds of Navarino               Navarino Wildlife Area Bird Checklist

 

Hunting - 14,000 acres is open to hunting & trapping year round, the 1,000 acre refuge near the nature center is CLOSED during Waterfowl season.  

Principle huntable wildlife: Whitetail deer, Ruffed grouse, Woodcock, Squirrel, Waterfowl, and Turkey.     Maps

 

Visit the DNR's website for hunting and trapping season dates and hunting regulations.

 

Wildlife Viewing — Many animals call Navarino home at different times of the year.   Thousands of Sandhill cranes are common in the spring and fall months. Other animals often seen include: Turkey, White-tailed deer, Tundra swans, Bald eagles, Muskrats, Beavers, Otters, Great Blue Herons, Egrets, Porcupines, as well as the occasional rare sight of a Black Bear, Fisher and other wildlife.

 

Canoeing & Kayaking — Canoeing and kayaking are possible on the flowages of the wildlife area, but only recommended late spring—early summer.  Canoeing and kayaking on the Wolf River is easy going with lots of ox-bows,  the nature center does offer canoe trips at various times of the year.  Contact NNC for details. River map is now available by clicking here.

 

Fishing — The flowages on the wildlife area are not stocked for fishing, however good fishing can be found in the wildlife area on the Shioc & Wolf Rivers.   Areas include the access point at Hwy 156, canoe access at River Road, and the Shawano County boat ramp at Hwy CCC.

 

Auto Tour — A self guided auto tour booklet of the Navarino Wildlife Area is available at the nature center, or by clicking "Auto Tour".  The tour is 40 miles in length and consists of 26 stops, which are both historical and detail wildlife management on Navarino.

 

Flowers & Fall Color — The prairies of Navarino are typically in bloom from late July through September.  Flowers include Butterfly weed, Prairie coneflower, Compass plant, Leadplant and Blazing stars, to name a few.  Fall foliage on the ridges through the wildlife area is a beautiful site to see in late September  - early October.

 

Biking — Biking is not allowed on the trails on the Navarino Wildlife Area, however a great deal of wildlife can be observed by riding the township roads that run through the wildlife area.

 

Dogs — Dogs are allowed on the wildlife area, however they must be on a leash during the Bird Breeding Season — April 15 to July 15.  Dogs may be off-leash at other times of the year, however they should still be under their owners control.

 

Photography & Painting —  Many individuals visit to photograph or paint scenes of Navarino.  Create your own memories.

 

Geocaching — Geocaching is a game played with GPS units to find hidden containers.  Several caches are hidden on the wildlife area.   Information is available at www.geocaching.com or at the nature center.

 

Cross-country skiing —  12 miles of cross-country ski trails are groomed through a cooperative agreement between Shawano County Parks, WDNR and NNC.    Ski trail information is updated and available at www.navarino.org or at 715-758-6999.

 

Snowshoeing — Many trails on the wildlife area are left natural for the winter, and are open to snowshoeing.  Snowshoes are available for rent at the nature center, during times that do not conflict with programming.

 

Sledding — Located next to the nature center is a gentle sloping sledding hill.