Grand River Marsh State Wildlife Area Wisconsin

Adeline’s House of Cool is a leisurely walk, casual bike ride, or brief drive from the Wildlife Paradise of the Grand River Marsh State Wildlife Area, a 10,000-acre complex of marsh, grassland, oak savanna, river, and woodlots. It is a magnet for migrating waterfowl and is home to over 200 bird species.

Grand River Marsh State Wildlife Area has extensive marshes attracting herons, Osprey, and the Double-crested Cormorant, as well as trails to hike, canoe, and kayak landings, making it a nature-loving paradise for people too.

Within the Grand River Marsh State Wildlife Area is the Fountain Creek Wet Prairie, a large, low-lying grassland in the marsh basin. Wet prairie is uncommon and characterized by prairie cord grass, blue-joint grass, and mountain mint. The property’s bird list includes Sandhill Cranes, Northern Harriers, Sedge Wrens, Horned Larks, and Bobolinks.

Grand River Marsh Wildlife Area Wisconsin Adelines House of Cool

Why does the Grand River Marsh State Wildlife Area have an IBA designation?

An Important Bird Area (IBA) is a site that provides essential habitat to one or more species of breeding or non-breeding birds. Sites may vary in size but are usually discrete and distinguishable from surrounding areas in character, habitat, or ornithological importance. They may include public or private land. Site boundaries may be natural (rivers, watersheds) or human-made (roads, property boundaries). In general, an IBA should exist as an actual or potential protected area, with or without buffer zones, or should have the potential to be managed in some way for birds and general nature conservation.

Grand River Marsh State Wildlife Area winter adventures

Winter brings wonderful hiking, cross-country skiing, or snowshoeing adventures capped over relaxing in our 20-foot hot tub. While the marsh may be covered in ice and snow, it is not devoid of birdlife during the depths of winter. Common winter birds of the marsh include northern harriers, red-tailed and rough-legged hawks, snowy owls (occasional), Lapland longspurs, snow buntings, and horned larks.

Special Rate for Extra Special Winter and Weekday Stays

Adventures abound at, around, and near Adeline’s House of Cool any day of the week, at any time of the year.

Special Stay Rates
Grand River Marsh State Wildlife Area winter adventures

Grand River Marsh State Wildlife Area spring, summer and autumn adventures

Hiking, canoeing, and kayaking adventures are plentiful in spring, summer, and fall. The peak activity for most spring migrating birds is from mid-April through the end of May. Summer is the nesting season for birds. Nearly half of the birds known to the marsh remain here to rear their young. Autumn is the start of the migration season for most birds. Shorebirds continue to arrive, while the first migrating Canada geese are seen on the marsh between the 12th and 15th of the month. A little-known fact: Grand River Marsh State Wildlife Area has a 1446-acre lake with a maximum depth of 7 feet. Visitors have access to the lake from a public boat landing. Fish include Panfish, Largemouth Bass, northern pike, and Walleye.

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