Trail Accessibility Info

Welcome to the trail accessibility guide for our wildlife sanctuaries. We understand that every adventurer has different needs and preferences, so we provide information about the features and terrain of our trails to help you plan an outing you’ll love. Whether you’re a seasoned birdwatcher or just starting out, this resource ensures that you can enjoy the wonders of birding at your own comfort level.

Note that pet animals are prohibited, regardless of whether they’re leashed or not. ONLY trained service animals are allowed.

We will continue to add trail information to this webpage as we are able. If you have any particular requests for information, please email Brenna at bmarsicek@swibirds.org. Enjoy your outing!

Cover photo: hikers on a trail at Erstad Prairie. Photo by Elizabeth Palmer

Choose what kind of trail

Location: Kampen Road, approximately 1/4 mile west of the driveway for W7503 Kampen Rd., Arlington.
GPS Coordinates: 43.3229474,-89.395296. Google Map

Route: Park in the small grass lot off of Kampen Rd. Take the middle trail that goes south. At the next intersection, take the trail to the left to arrive at the bench and overlook. Return the way you came.

*****

General Information

• Type of trail: out-and-back

• Trail length: 0.15 miles to lookout (0.3 miles with return)

• Parking: small grass lot off of main road, not on a slope but the surface is slightly uneven and can become muddy from heavy rain

• Bathrooms: no bathrooms

• Trail traffic: few people present/typically low traffic

Trail Terrain

• Trail surface: short grass, somewhat uneven

• Trail width: 8 ft. for whole trail

• Trail cross-slope: max. 4% cross-slope, most of trail is about 2-3% cross-slope

• Trail forward-slope: max. 3% forward slope, most of trail is about 2% forward-slope

Features and Obstacles

• Ramps: no ramps

• Steps: none

• Gates: none

• Railings: none

• Bird blinds: none

Resting and Shade

• Benches: bench at outlook (0.15 miles)

• Shade cover: bench is covered, otherwise none

Other

• Transportation/construction noise: traffic from road (usually minimal)

• Other potential concerns: ticks/chiggers present, trail is not lit at night

Location: Goose Pond Rd., approximately 500 feet north of the intersection with Kampen Rd., Arlington.
GPS Coordinates: 43.3265415, -89.3690251. Google Map

Route: Park in the small grass lot off of Goose Pond Rd. Take either trail to the north or south, and turning at each intersection to remain on the outer-most path.

*****

General Information

• Type of trail: loop

• Trail length: 1.9 miles around outer perimeter

• Parking: small grass lot off of main road, entrance from road is on a slope but the lot itself is flat, surface is slightly uneven and can become muddy from heavy rain

• Bathrooms: no bathrooms

• Trail traffic: few people present/typically low traffic

Trail Terrain

• Trail surface: short grass, uneven

• Trail width: 8 ft. for whole trail

• Trail cross-slope: max. 4% cross-slope, much of the trail has 2-3% cross-slope

• Trail forward-slope: max. 5% forward-slope (occurs at 0.1 miles to the right of entrance, lasts for about 0.1 miles with bench shortly after), most of the trail has about 2-3% forward-slope

Features and Obstacles

• Ramps: no ramps

• Steps: none

• Gates: none

• Railings: none

• Bird blinds: none

Resting and Shade

• Benches: bench at 0.25 miles to the right of entrance

• Shade cover: none

Other

• Transportation/construction noise: traffic from road (usually minimal), train tracks nearby

• Other potential concerns: ticks/chiggers present, trail is not lit at night, shares border with private property

Location: Northern most point of Harvey Rd., Poynette, WI.
GPS Coordinates: 43.3433, -89.3024. Google Map

Route: Park in the small grass lot off of Harvey Rd. Take either trail to the north or east, and turning at each intersection to remain on the outer loop.

*****

General Information

• Type of trail: loop

• Trail length: 0.84 miles

• Parking: small grass lot off of main road, not on a slope but the surface is slightly uneven and can become muddy from heavy rain

• Bathrooms: no bathrooms

• Trail traffic: few people present/typically low traffic

Trail Terrain

• Trail surface: short grass, somewhat uneven

• Trail width: 8 ft. for whole trail

• Trail cross-slope: max. 4% cross-slope (for about 0.1 miles near start of trail), most of trail has only about 1-2% cross-slope

• Trail forward-slope: max. 2% forward-slope, most of the trail has only about 1% forward-slope

Features and Obstacles

• Ramps: no ramps

• Steps: none

• Gates: none

• Railings: none

• Bird blinds: none

Resting and Shade

• Benches: none

• Shade cover: none

Other

• Transportation/construction noise: traffic from road (usually minimal)

• Other potential concerns: ticks/chiggers present, trail is not lit at night, entrance is next to private property

Note that Fair Meadows Sanctuary can be accessed through the many field trips and twice-monthly Birding Days. Register for an upcoming event to get the location information. Spontaneous drop-in visits are not permitted.

Location: Fair Meadows Sanctuary (register for an upcoming event at Fair Meadows to receive more information about the location)

Route: park at the main parking area near the Red Barn (northern P on the map). Walk north through the open mowed grassy area between the woods and the cedar trees to get to the trailhead. Walk west along the grassy trail to get to the Big Prairie Loop.

*****

General Information

• Type of trail: loop

• Trail length: 0.80 miles (inner perimeter)

• Parking: pavement next to barn, enough space for 2 vehicles, wheelchair accessible

• Bathrooms: no bathrooms

• Trail traffic: few people present/typically low traffic

Trail Terrain

• Trail surface: short grass, somewhat uneven

• Trail width: 7 ft. for whole trail

• Trail cross-slope: max. 4% cross-slope (for about 0.1 miles near start of trail), most of trail has only about 1-2% cross-slope

• Trail forward-slope: max. 5% forward-slope from road to trailhead, most of the trail has only about 1-2% forward-slope

Features and Obstacles

• Ramps: no ramps

• Steps: none

• Gates: none

• Railings: none

• Bird blinds: none

Resting and Shade

• Benches: bench at 0.15 miles and 0.25 miles (walking counter-clockwise around loop)

• Shade cover: benches have shade, otherwise none

Other

• Transportation/construction noise: none

• Other potential concerns: trail is on private property, ticks/chiggers present, trail is not lit at night

Location: Fair Meadows Sanctuary (register for an upcoming event at Fair Meadows to receive more information about the location)

Route: park at the main parking area near the Red Barn (northern P on the map). Walk south along the gravel Main Entry Road past the wetlands. Turn right (south) on the grassy Apple Shed Lane and follow that until you get to a small grassy parking area. Return the way you came.

*****

General Information

• Type of trail: out-and-back

• Trail length: 0.27 miles (one way)

• Parking (can park at either end of trail):

  • Pavement next to barn, enough space for 2 vehicles, wheelchair accessible

  • Grassy parking lot on Apple Shed Lane, space for ~4 vehicles, 5% slope to get to main road

• Bathrooms: no bathrooms

• Trail traffic: few people present/typically low traffic

Trail Terrain

• Trail surface: gravel on main road, short grass, somewhat uneven on Apple Shed Lane

• Trail width: 10 ft. on main road, 7 ft. on Apple Shed Lane

• Trail cross-slope: max. 3% cross-slope

• Trail forward-slope: max. 6% forward-slope on main road, 5% forward-slope from main road to Apple Shed Lane parking

Features and Obstacles

• Ramps: no ramps

• Steps: none

• Gates: none

• Railings: none

• Bird blinds: none

Resting and Shade

• Benches: none

• Shade cover: moderate shade from trees, about 30% shade coverage year-round

Other

• Transportation/construction noise: none

• Other potential concerns: trail is on private property, ticks/chiggers present, trail is not lit at night

Location: Fair Meadows Sanctuary (register for an upcoming event at Fair Meadows to receive more information about the location)

Route: park at the grassy lot on Apple Shed Lane, walk north along the lane until it meets with the Main Entry Road. Turn right (east) to walk past the Petite Woods and to Heron Pond. Return the way you came.

*****

General Information

• Type of trail: out-and-back

• Trail length: 0.18 miles (one way)

• Parking: grassy parking lot on Apple Shed Lane, space for ~4 vehicles, 5% slope to get to main road

• Bathrooms: no bathrooms

• Trail traffic: few people present/typically low traffic

Trail Terrain

• Trail surface: gravel on main road, short grass, somewhat uneven on Apple Shed Lane

• Trail width: 10 ft. on main road, 7 ft. on Apple Shed Lane

• Trail cross-slope: max. 3% cross-slope

• Trail forward-slope: max. 5% forward-slope to from Apple Shed Lane parking to main road

Features and Obstacles

• Ramps: no ramps

• Steps: none

• Gates: none

• Railings: none

• Bird blinds: none

Resting and Shade

• Benches: none

• Shade cover: moderate shade from trees, about 30% shade coverage year-round

Other

• Transportation/construction noise: none

• Other potential concerns: trail is on private property, ticks/chiggers present, trail is not lit at night

Faville Grove Sanctuary Trails

Buddy’s Prairie

General Information

• Location: Faville Grove Sanctuary

• Type of trail: out-and-back

• Trail length: 0.4 miles to lookout of Faville Grove Bog

• Parking: One spot available on the right side of the gravel driveway. Also can park well off the road along Highway 89, though there is a slope when doing so.

• Bathrooms: no bathrooms

• Trail traffic: few people present/typically low traffic

Trail Terrain

• Trail surface: trail is roughly mowed prairie, often with a mulch of grasses present, some muddy sections

• Trail width: 6 ft. wide, at about 0.3 miles becomes ~2 ft. wide

• Trail cross-slope: max. 3% cross-slope

• Trail forward-slope: 1-2% forward-slope for most of trail, max. 5% forward-slope around 0.3 miles to reach lookout

Features and Obstacles

• Ramps: no ramps

• Steps: none

• Gates: none

• Railings: none

• Bird blinds: none

Resting and Shade

• Benches: none

• Shade cover: one area contains a black oak savanna and offers shade, the rest is open prairie without shade

Other

• Transportation/construction noise: nearby traffic from highway

• Other potential concerns: ticks/chiggers present, trail is not lit at night, driveway may not be maintained during winter