Exploring Horicon Marsh

Grab your binoculars and join the Friends of the Arboretum for a breathtaking spring adventure in the world-renowned Horicon Marsh.

Horicon is the largest freshwater cattail marsh in the United States and a critical rest stop for thousands of migrating waterfowl. This Wisconsin treasure is recognized as a Wetland of International Importance. Our one hour boat tour with Horicon Marsh boat tours into the marsh is a special experience you will always remember, observing wildlife and plants not accessible by foot. We will tour the Wisconsin DNR Visitor Center and Explorium to learn about the history of the refuge. After a hearty lunch at the Visitor Center, into the marsh we go again on a walk led by the resident DNR Naturalist to explore the flora and fauna that makes Horicon so special. The beauty of the marsh is spectacular. Bring your bird book, camera, binoculars and let’s go!

The trip includes transportation by comfortable coach, boat tour, guided tour of the Explorium, guided walk in the marsh, box lunch, water and snacks. The bus boards at 7:45 a.m., and leaves the UW-Madison Arboretum at 8:15 a.m., returning by 4;00 p.m.  Cost: $135 per person.

Meal choices are:

Option A: Full Sandwich choice of Boar’s Head All Natural Applewood Smoked Uncured Ham or Boar’s Head Mesquite Smoked Turkey Breast on choice of white or wheat bread, lettuce, tomato, Boar’s Head Provolone; bag of chips; cookie; water/coffee SELECT HAM OR TURKEY, WHITE OR WHEAT BREAD

Option B: Half Sandwich Boar’s Head All Natural Applewood Smoked Uncured Ham or Boar’s Head Mesquite Smoked Turkey Breast on choice of white or wheat bread, lettuce, tomato, Boar’s Head Provolone; Cup of Seasonal Soup; Cookie; Water/Coffee    SELECT HAM OR TURKEY, WHITE OR WHEAT BREAD

Option C: Gluten Free Chef Salad Mix of lettuce and spinach, grape tomatoes, carrots, cucumbers, red onion Boar’s Head Ever Roast Oven Roasted Chicken Breast, cubed and Bacon; cookie; water/coffee

Option D: Vegan Option; Same as Option C Will replace meat with Roasted Chickpeas and Nuts.   May add more seasonal veggies.

Beverage choices are coffee, water, Coke, Diet Coke, 7 Up, Diet 7 Up, Dr. Pepper, Squirt, Ginger Ale, Mountain Dew, Sun Drop, Root Beer

Trip is limited to 50 participants.  Online registration is fastest.  If you prefer to register by mail, click here for a PDF registration form.  Mail-in registrations must be received by May 17, 2026.

FOA trips are an important part of fundraising efforts by FOA to support the Arboretum.  We strive to make these trips interesting and accessible to all attendees.  To ensure that we have adequate time to find replacement attendees and ensure that FOA costs are covered, FOA trips have the following cancellation policy (unless otherwise noted)

• Transferring your registration to a new attendee is always allowed. Contact Allison Eyring-Green at npscoordinator@foamadison.org or call the FOA office at 608-890-2555 to request a ticket transfer.
• Cancelling without requesting a refund is an option.  Your registration fee will be used to offset trip costs and to support the Arboretum.
• Cancel 30 or more days before departure for a full refund of your registration fee.
• Cancel 29 days or fewer before departure and the registration fee is non-refundable.