Navarino Wildlife Area
Navarino Wildlife Area is part of the Lower Wolf River Bottomlands Natural Resources Area (LWRBNRA). This property is found in southern Shawano and northeast Waupaca counties in the Navarino, Waukechon, Lessor, Hartland and Matteson townships. The property is over 15,000 acres of state-owned land and the largest parcel within the LWRBNRA.
The wildlife area is comprised of sandy uplands and ridges with marshy depressions. Habitat types include open fields, swamp conifer, lowland scrub, bog, bottomland hardwoods, pine plantations and aspen/oak forest. The West Branch of the Shioc River and the Wolf River run through the property.
Navarino Wildlife Area is 7 miles south of Shawano. Ample parking opportunities are located throughout the property on the following roads: McDonald, South Townline, Lessor-Navarino, Birch and Highway 156, Highway K, Two Creek, Wildlife and Swamp Road.
There are two improved boat launches on the property (River Road and Highway 156), three designated carry-in sites (Zeuske Road, Steucks Road and Highway 156) and several other undeveloped access points to the Wolf River, Shioc River, tributaries and flowages.
The Navarino Nature Center [exit DNR] is located off Lindsten Road and offers a variety of nature-based programming. The nature center maintains hiking, snowshoe and groomed ski trails along with picnic areas, restrooms, a parking lot, a shelter and a cabin to accommodate program participants.
Management Objectives
Navarino Wildlife Area is managed to provide opportunities for public hunting, trapping, fishing and other outdoor recreation while protecting the qualities of the unique native communities and associated species found on the property. The large acreage contains significant occurrences of several natural communities, including floodplain forest, sedge meadow, emergent marsh and dry-mesic forest.
Management includes the maintenance of continuous, extensive floodplain communities and a hydrologic connection between the river and off-channel aquatic habitats. Flowage management, with periodic drawdowns, is used to maintain and improve the emergent marsh and open-water wetland types. Bottomland hardwoods are maintained by favoring silver maple and swamp white oak while retaining other native trees and understory species. The aspen cover type is maintained through coppice cutting at rotation age to regenerate the type. Quality red oak sites are managed through shelterwood harvests that are timed to coincide with good acorn crops. Grassland and shrub-carr wetlands are maintained and improved through mowing and prescribed fire. Sedge meadow is maintained or restored where feasible. Farming agreements are used to maintain a mosaic of agricultural land. Populations of invasive species are controlled or eliminated by cutting, pulling, burning, herbicide treatment and biocontrol.
Recreation
The Navarino Wildlife Area offers many recreational opportunities;
- Birding
- Boating (Motorized and non-motorized. There are both carry-in and improved boat launches.)
- Camping
- Canoeing
- Cross-country skiing (designated and non-designated trails)
- Class 2 dog training area
- Fishing (Wolf River; fishing pier)
- Hiking (designated and non-designated trails)
- Hunting (Pheasants are stocked here. This wildlife area has a "waterfowl closed area/gun deer hunting permitted" refuge that is 1,000 acres in size.)
- Interpretive trail
- Kayaking
- Nature Center [exit DNR]
- Snowmobiling trail
- Snowshoeing
- Trapping
- Wild edibles/gathering
- Wildlife viewing
Amenities
- Bathroom? Yes.
- Parking Lot? Yes, multiple. See the maps section for more details.
- Campground? Yes.
- Trails? Yes.
- Other: Nature center, water pump, playground, picnic shelter and benches
Maps
Download [PDF] a map of this property and a trail map [PDF]
If you want to explore this property further, you can access an interactive map.
Directions
- Nature Center Parking Lot (Best access to most activities)
- Boat Launches:
Find out more about how to adopt this wildlife area.