Tour Winnebago County’s most unique natural areas at any one of the five nature preserves within the county.
These nature preserves protect the natural beauty of the county while also providing educational and recreational opportunities. Lush woods, picturesque streams, unspoiled prairies and native wildlife are treasures to be enjoyed by inquisitive minds and adventure seekers of all ages. The general public is encouraged to use and enjoy all these preserves.
Recreation for All
Recreational activities available at Winnebago County’s nature preserves include hiking, biking, picnicking, fishing, bird watching, snowshoeing and cross-country skiing. Dogs are not allowed in any of the nature preserves due to the disruption of wildlife and surrounding habitats. Hunting is also not allowed at any of the nature preserves.
Learn more about all five Winnebago County nature preserves below, including the single-track mountain bike trail at Waukau. Keep up with all the latest park news on our Facebook page.
COUGHLIN COMMUNITY NATURAL AREA
The Coughlin Community Natural Area offers about a mile of grassy trails within the 35-acre prairie. Signs educating the public about the area and its native vegetation can be found along the trails. These trails are great for snowshoeing during the winter. Check out the Coughlin Community Natural Area brochure for a trail map and other points of interest.
Also located in the nature area is the Memorial Tree Grove, which was dedicated in October of 1998. If you would like to make a memorial for someone or donate toward the tree grove, please stop by the County Parks office located in the J.P. Coughlin Building.
The Coughlin Community Natural Area is located at 625 E. County Road Y in Oshkosh.
Link to the 360 photo of the Coughlin Community Natural Area.
KEN ROBL CONSERVATION PARK
The Ken Robl Conservation Park, located in Oshkosh at 3396 Walter Street, is a quiet 8-acre park featuring a walking trail and fishing pond.
Ken Robl's hiking trail is about a mile long and encircles the fishing pond. It is composed of a natural granite material and is reserved for walkers only. A large pond in the center of the park features catch-and-release fishing opportunities for all ages. There is also a pier on the pond for fishing and nature observations.
Upon entering Ken Robl, you may encounter a site gate. Just pull up to the gate and it will open automatically. Park hours are 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. and the gate will only operate during this time. There are plenty of parking spaces and an ADA accessible parking spot and ADA accessible porta-potty.
Ken Robl Conservation Park is named in honor of Ken Robl, a long-standing Winnebago County Board Supervisor and lifelong environmentalist.
WAUKAU CREEK NATURE PRESERVE
The beautiful 64-acre Waukau Creek Nature Preserve is found north of the Village of Waukau at 2987 Delhi Road off County Road K. Waukau Creek is densely wooded, with steep-walled ravines sloping into a broad creek floodplain. This picturesque creek is the only flowing stream in Winnebago County.
Wildflowers abound throughout the entire preserve, creating a natural palette of color that changes with the seasons. Self-guided nature trails with interpretive signs teach hikers more about the diverse landscape. The trails are rustic, so common sense and care should always be taken when hiking. In the winter, self-guided cross-country ski trails make the preserve a special place to visit.
Waukau Creek connects the Waukau Creek Nature Preserve with an additional 28 acres of County property located a half-mile away off Highway 116. This land, which formerly belonged to the Department of Natural Resources, contains a rough fish-holding pond with regulation devices that control water levels and divert the flow of the creek. Many species of fish can be caught in the pond.
View the Waukau Creek Brochure for a trail map and more info.
Vegetation of Waukau Creek Nature Preserve
One side of the ravine is a densely wooded deciduous forest, with spring wildflowers as an understory. Common trees found at the nature preserve are Northern Red Oak, Bur Oak and Basswood. The most prominent wildflowers include Dutchmen’s’ Breeches, Trillium, Trout lily, Columbine, Bloodroot and Violets.
Along the floodplain are extensive stands of Sandbar Willow and open expanses of sedge and cattail marsh, which harbor a great many birds, including Kingfishers, Green Herons and Mallards. The far side of the ravine (from Delphi Road) is very steep. Sugar Maple can be found near the top along with a variety of Hawthorns and Groundsel.
Info & History
- Dogs are not allowed within the nature preserve.
- A porta-potty is available near the parking area.
- The preserve is not ADA accessible.
Learn about the history of Waukau Creek.
WAUKAU CREEK DAM
Waukau Creek Dam is located 2820 Hwy 116 in the Village of Waukau. The area, which formerly belonged to the Department of Natural Resources, contains a rough fish-holding pond with regulation devices that control its water level and divert the flow of the creek. The dam is a popular fishing spot as many species of fish can be caught here. The site also offers handicap-accessible fishing.
Originally, the Waukau Creek Dam area was the site of an early-day sawmill, which was later replaced by a woolen mill. The mill purchased its raw wool from local sheepherders and provided employment for many women throughout the community. The local Baptist Church also used the waters of the creek for baptismal ceremonies.
Over the years, the creek has cut through glacial till (glacier-deposited soil), resulting in a steep-walled ravine. Care should always be taken when hiking or fishing around the creek.
Waukau Creek Mountain Bike Trail
The Waukau Dam Mountain Bike Trail is a three-mile, single-track mountain bike trail that flows along the steep hillsides and through the deep ravines of the Waukau Dam Nature Preserve.
The trail is considered an intermediate-level mountain bike trail. A rugged landscape offers bikers challenging climbs, fast descents and fantastic views of Waukau Creek and the surrounding forest.
Advanced features have been added along the trail for those who wish to hone their skills - numerous bridges, jumps, drops and skill features help to keep the ride exciting and challenging. Bypasses are available for all of the advanced features.
The trail is a "two-way" and has been designed to ride completely different in each direction, making the most of the limited mileage. Be courteous and always be on the lookout for other riders and hikers.
The trail is open for year-round riding (fat tire bikes only during winter), weather permitting. It is closed to riding anytime it is wet or muddy. Trail conditions are closely monitored by the trail builders and current conditions can be found on the Waukau Dam Mountain Bike Trail Facebook page.
A handful of mountain bike enthusiasts, with the support of the Oshkosh Cycling Club, have volunteered nearly 1,500 hours to build the trail. Donations to build the wooden bridges and features have come from the Oshkosh Cycling Club, the trail builders and private donors.
LASELY POINT ARCHAEOLOGICAL SITE
In addition to boat landings, parks, and trails, the Winnebago County parks system boasts a unique site. The wilds of the Lasley Point Archaeological Site mark the spot where a Native American village once thrived. Between 1200 and 1500 AD, its 47.7 acres supported an Oneota Indian village. The area was nominated and accepted for inclusion in the listing of the National Register of Historic Places late in 1979. This unique site was purchased two years later from the Winnebago County Historical Society. Learn more about the history of Lasley Point.
Nature Observations
Lasley Point Archaeological Site supports beautiful woods of oak, hickory, basswood, and ash with dense shrubbery underneath. Trails with informational signs weave through the woods offering glimpses of the numerous varieties of wildflowers. The archeological site also supports sizable populations of small game, songbirds, and mammals. Do not go off-trail or make your own trails!
The park is located about two miles north of Winneconne, west of County Road M. A small parking area is located at 5900 Lasley Point Road.
Winnebago County Ordinance 19.06 requires that users of the County's recreational areas strictly adhere to a "carry-in-carry-out" policy. Thus, all refuse must be carried away from the park, boat landing, trail or other recreational sites by the person(s) responsible for its presence and be properly disposed of elsewhere.
SHANGRI LA POINT NATURE PRESERVE
The scenic marshland environment is located 1.5 miles west of Hwy 110, at the intersection of Shangri La Point and Ryf Roads. Approximately 55 acres in size, this marsh offers excellent waterfowl viewing and wildflower displays, particularly in the spring.
In addition, the preserve is a unique area because it is a four-tiered wetland, a rare habitat type in this area. Plants ranging from submerged aquatics to upland woody vegetation are found in the preserve. At the current time, there is no good way to provide public access to the site, and parking is done along road edges, which are often moist.
Community Gardens (Netzer Property)
The Community Gardens that are located on Parks property are managed by ADVOCAP.
