Columbia: Landscapes, Culture and Winter Experiences

Columbia brings together unusual landforms, wetlands and historic sites. When planning your visit, you can choose to focus on nature areas, culture or seasonal activities. The landscape ranges from a striking mesa to small lakes and extensive habitats; history is reflected in museums, historic buildings and regional art.

Landscapes with Distinctive Forms

Gibraltar Rock rises 200 feet above the surrounding landscape and is a flat-topped mesa. A section of the Ice Age National Scenic Trail leads to its summit. Here, a distinctive landform meets a clear destination at the end of a trail section.

The Lodi Marsh Wildlife Area covers 1,183 acres of wetland and upland ecosystems. Located in Columbia County, the Mud Lake Wildlife Area opened on September 5, 2026. Its 2,283 acres include wetlands, uplands and forested habitats. Lost Lake has a different geological form: it is a basin-shaped depression with quartzite boulders and exposed sandstone layers. The two-acre lake is surrounded by purple loosestrife and a large alder thicket. Together, extensive habitats and distinctive rock formations contrast with the smaller lake area at Lost Lake.

Wildlife and Outdoor Activities

The wildlife exhibit center at the MacKenzie Center is home to native Wisconsin animals. The center offers the public educational opportunities to learn about these animals. Visitors who want to explore nature not only through landforms but also through native wildlife will find a different experience here than on the trail at Gibraltar Rock.

For winter sports, Cascade Mountain in Columbia County offers skiing, snowboarding and snow tubing across 48 runs and three terrain parks. The snow tubing run is 900 feet long; tubes are provided, and no prior experience is required. Snow tubing is available seasonally. Check availability and current operating conditions before you travel.

Maple Syrup and Regional Culture

The sugar maple grove at the MacKenzie Center produces about 35 to 40 gallons of pure maple syrup each spring, also known as “MacKenzie Gold.” The annual MacKenzie Maple Syrup Festival follows a set date pattern: it takes place on the first Saturday in April. If you want to plan your trip around it, confirm the date for the year you wish to visit.

Columbia County Barn Quilts also add a cultural touch: these quilt artworks celebrate Columbia County's agricultural heritage and include more than 50 structures. In the Portage Retail Historic District, preserved cream-colored brick buildings and distinctive historic architecture shape the streetscape along the Portage Canal. Self-guided walks through the historic streets are available there.

History Around Portage

The Historic Indian Agency House was built in 1832 with federal funds as the residence and workplace of sub-agent John H. Kinzie on Ho-Chunk land. The building was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1972; in 2012, it was designated a nationally significant site on the register. Docent-led tours typically last about an hour. Check the schedule before your visit.

The house is located on the Portage Canal, just off Highway 33. Visitor parking is free and has space for RVs, motor coaches, buses and trailers. The Museum at the Portage displays hundreds of authentic artifacts relating to local history and culture. Their influences include rivers, Indigenous peoples, early explorers, brickworks, railroads and local residents. The annual maple syrup festival in April and the seasonal winter sports offerings provide different reasons to time your trip; check the relevant dates and conditions as you plan.

Discover more destinations: Wisconsin Dells, Lodi, Crawford County, Bayfield County, Eau Claire, Calumet County, Sheboygan County, Waushara County.

See the main travel overview: Wisconsin.