Discover Clark County: Nature, History, and Culture

The Highground in Neillsville is a veterans’ memorial park with connections to the conflicts of World War I and World War II, as well as the Korean War, the Vietnam War, and the Persian Gulf War. The grounds include four miles of hiking trails; the park is open to the public free of charge, 24 hours a day, year-round.

Hiking Trails and Seasonal Activities

The Levis/Trow Mound Recreational Area offers more than 41 miles of trails through the Clark County Forest. Sandstone shapes the area in the form of rock formations and mounds. A 1.5-mile self-guided nature trail with 15 stations offers a focus of its own. Hiking opportunities at Wildcat Mound lead to sweeping scenic views; sandstone formations and steep cliffs are near the trailhead in Wildcat Mound Park.

The season also changes the options available. In spring, summer, and fall, more than 135 miles of ATV/UTV trails and routes wind through the Clark County Forest, branching out and connecting into loops. In winter, the Levis/Trow Mound Recreational Area offers 15 miles of groomed trails for skate and classic skiing, as well as an additional 24 miles of ungroomed backcountry routes. Here, you can choose between groomed trails and ungroomed routes. Bruce Mound Winter Sports Area adds snowboarding, tubing, and skiing to the options.

Wetlands, Forests, and Waterways

Clark County’s landscapes encompass a variety of habitats. Blue Swamp is a large, acidic peatland with tamarack-dominated coniferous swamp and sedge meadow communities. Schmidt Maple Woods features southern mesic forest on gently rolling glacial till.

South of Arbutus Lake, Arbutus Oaks includes more than a mile of undeveloped shoreline. Oaks and white pines more than 90 years old grow there; the area is also known for two rare bird species. The Sportsman's Lake Wildlife Area spans 1,200 acres and is characterized by open marshes and grassy uplands. During spring and fall migration, it attracts waterfowl and other wetland birds.

Clark County has about 120 miles of waterways for paddling. The Black River offers paddlers long stretches lined with forest and several scenic high banks. Those planning a trip can appreciate this river landscape alongside the wetlands and forests as distinct natural features of the region.

Local History and Cultural Insights

Reed School was built in 1915 and used as a one-room rural school until 1951. Its exhibits give visitors a glimpse of life in a rural school, focusing on 1939. The Clark County Jail Museum was built in 1897 and added to the National Register and the Wisconsin State Register of Historic Places in 1978. The museum includes a two-story Victorian residence where sheriffs and their families lived during their terms in office.

The Rural Arts Museum houses the original Colby Train Depot, built in 1872. Silver Dome Ballroom has been in operation since 1933 and is listed on the National Register and the Wisconsin State Register of Historic Places. The Telephone Heritage Room at the Thorp Area Historical Society displays more than 100 telephones from around the world; the oldest dates to 1894. Together, these places trace the region’s history from schools and railroads to public administration, architecture, and entertainment.

Regional Products

Regional products are also part of Clark County’s character. Pavilion Cheese & Gifts offers artisan and specialty cheeses. Munson Bridge Wine is made in the county.

Discover more destinations: Neillsville, La Crosse, Polk, Chippewa County, Douglas County, Langlade, Sheboygan County, Columbia

For the main travel overview: Wisconsin.