Mack State Wildlife Area and DOT Mitigation Site

This 1,350-acre property is actually two sites; one north and one south of Hwy 54. The property contains marsh, aspen, swamp, hardwood forests, lowland brush and grasslands. An abandoned railroad bed that is slated to become a state trail for hiking and biking bisects the southern section of the property. The area is fairly flat as it was once a glacial lakebed. The 480-acre mitigation site located on Van Patten Drive is north of Hwy 54. Visit the accessible viewing platform and educational kiosk found there to get a bird’s-eye view of a wetland and wetland birds.

Directions: From Shiocton, travel east on Hwy 54 two miles to Van Patten Rd, then north .5 mile to the parking area and viewing platform. Or, continue east of Hwy 54 another .5 mile to Herman Rd to access the Mack SWA south of the highway. Both areas are marked with signs.

Gazetteer: Page 54, A-4.

Phone: 715/524-2183 (Shawano WNDR).

Web site: WDNR Mack State Wildlife Area (#29)

Signature Species: Black Tern, Tundra Swan, Yellow-headed Blackbird and Sora Rail.

Rare Species: Great Egret.

Seasonality: Open all year.

Parking: Parking lots.

Nearest Food & Lodging: New London.