Portage County: Nature Trails and History

Portage County offers something for a range of travel interests: trails wind through wetlands and natural areas, parks offer activities on the water, and historic sites tell the story of the county. To plan your trip, first consider whether you want to focus on longer routes, birdwatching, culture or water activities.

Trails Through Diverse Landscapes

Schmeeckle Reserve has nearly five miles of trails, including extensive boardwalks over wetlands. During daylight hours, from sunrise to dusk, you can hike, run, ride a bicycle at a leisurely pace, snowshoe or cross-country ski. The winter trails are not groomed for cross-country skiing.

Another route option is the 28-mile Tomorrow River State Trail, which follows an abandoned railroad corridor. It begins in the Village of Plover in Portage County and ends in the Village of Manawa in Waupaca County. The Portage County section has a separate 12-mile horse trail alongside the limestone trail. The trail is open to cyclists, hikers, joggers and horseback riders in spring, summer and fall. The Green Circle Trail, meanwhile, connects with more than 45 miles of additional trails; over 80 percent of the trail runs through secluded parks and natural areas.

The 270-acre Steinhaugen Recreation Area showcases another range of landscapes: the Plover River and North Star Creek, wetlands, upland hardwood forest, pine plantations, prairie and open fields. Trails invite you to hike and snowshoe; the cross-country ski trails are ungroomed. The variety of trail lengths and conditions can help you plan your time outdoors.

Lakes, Rivers and Parks by the Water

The bodies of water vary considerably in size: Jordan Pond covers 85 acres, Lake Emily 96 acres and Lake DuBay 600 acres. Lake Emily Park borders Lake Emily and has a boat launch, a nature trail and a swimming beach. The Plover River flows through Jordan Park, which also has a nature center, a nature trail and a swimming beach. DuBay Park borders Lake DuBay and offers access to fishing, boating, waterskiing and swimming.

The parks each offer something different: Lake Emily Park has a boat launch, nature trail and beach; Jordan Park also has a nature center, while DuBay Park offers several activities on the water. Which option suits your trip depends on whether you would rather plan for a nature trail, a swimming beach or activities on the lake.

Natural Areas and Birdwatching

Buena Vista Wildlife Area covers 12,700 acres in southwestern Portage County and offers opportunities for birdwatching year-round. In the county’s northwest is Paul J. Olson Wildlife Area, with a peatland complex, a black spruce and tamarack swamp, and an open bog. There, you can look for greater prairie-chickens and other grassland birds. George W. Mead Wildlife Area spans Marathon, Wood and Portage counties.

If you want to pair birdwatching with a particular landscape, you’ll find a range of options: the large area in the southwest, wetlands in the northwest, and the Mead Wildlife Area, which stretches across several counties. These areas differ in their landscapes and their relationship to Portage County.

History, Art and Local Traditions

Heritage Park is home to eleven historic buildings relocated there from different parts of Portage County. Immersive exhibits enhance the visit. Built in 1868, Rising Star Mill is one of the last surviving grist mills of its kind in Wisconsin. Beth Israel Synagogue Museum tells the story of Stevens Point’s once-thriving Jewish community.

Stevens Point Sculpture Park is an accessible outdoor venue for environmental art exhibitions, activities and educational programs. More than 30 sculptures stand along a recreational trail across 20 acres. The historic Mathias Mitchell Public Square offers another glimpse into local history: it hosts the longest-running farmers market in the state of Wisconsin. Stevens Point Brewery says it has been in continuous operation since 1857.

Museums and Planning Your Visit

Central Wisconsin Children’s Museum brings together several hands-on activities: in the STEM Lab, children and their adult companions can explore a range of STEM topics together. Wild Wisconsin lets children examine bird nests and learn more about animal habitats. At Community Cove, children explore the roles, places and people of a vibrant community through role-play and imaginative discovery. Exhibit content may change.

Olson Museum of Natural History displays authentic fossils and replicas from periods ranging from the Paleozoic to the Holocene. It also offers monthly programs for children and families; dates are seasonal and may change. Exhibit content may change as well. Wisconsin Korean War Veterans Memorial is on an island in Lake Pacawa and features five larger-than-life figures. An annual ceremony takes place there; check the date before your trip. The memorial is open daily until 11 p.m.; confirm opening hours before your visit.

Stevens Point Municipal Airport is located in Portage County and is easily accessible from Interstate 39. If you’re looking for a hotel in Portage County, use the trails, natural areas, cultural sites and activities on the water described here to help plan your trip.

Discover more destinations: Stevens Point, Portage, Plover, Dane, Eau Claire, Monroe, Marinette County, Ashland County.

For the broader travel overview: Wisconsin.