Admission-Free, The 1000 Islands In Wisconsin Is The Perfect Day Trip Destination

There’s a place that’s wild and wonderful, and it's the perfect reason to make a trip to the Fox Cities. The 1000 Islands Environmental Center in Kaukauna is a nature preserve that features gorgeous riverfront trails and a nature center with some interesting interactive displays. It’s completely free, and it’s one of the best nature centers in Wisconsin – here’s what you need to know.

The story of the 1000 Islands Environmental Center started in 1969, when the Kaukauna Common Council established a conservancy area of woodland and river bottom.

Today, there are 350 acres protected in this beautiful location along the Fox River, and it’s open to nature lovers of all ages.

You’ll find a lot to explore here – there are over seven miles of trails, including a one-mile trail along the Fox River and 2,000 feet of barrier-free boardwalk. The trails can be used year round for hiking and snowshoeing. You can follow them to a beautiful Fox River view.

A lot of interesting programming happens here, including moonlight hikes, nature hikes, storybook walks, animal tracking classes, eagle watching, and in the early spring, trees are tapped for maple syrup. The events offer a chance to learn about nature and make a few new friends.

The nature center, itself, has displays with live animals, interactive educational displays, a Fox River arrowhead collection, a gift shop, and more.

A lot of people enjoy this special place. About 60,000 people visit the center annually, and every year, over 18,000 children from Northeast Wisconsin some here for educational field trips. See for yourself why so many people explore this place!

Learn more about this amazing nature center on the 1000 Islands Environmental Center website. If you feel like exploring the Fox River from a different perspective, you can catch a scenic boat ride and see it from the water.