Burnett: Horicon Marsh, Wild Goose State Trail, and Nitschke Mounds

Horicon Marsh occupies a large part of the eastern third of the Town of Burnett. The Wild Goose State Trail and the preserved mounds in Nitschke Mounds Park are also here. Burnett therefore offers nature, trails through varied landscapes, and a distinctive cultural and historical site as different reasons to visit.

Horicon Marsh and Wild Goose State Trail

Burnett offers public access to Horicon Marsh. There is also a suitable boat access point to the marsh at the eastern end of Burnett Ditch Road. Visitors interested in the wetland have two different ways to access it: public access to Horicon Marsh and a location on Burnett Ditch Road specifically described as a boat access point.

The Wild Goose State Trail in Burnett extends the entire length of the town. It passes through wetlands, wooded areas, and scenic farmland. These landscapes give the trail its distinctive character: it does not pass through just one natural area, but through several types of landscape. When planning your trip, you can therefore distinguish between an interest in Horicon Marsh and the trail as a route through the town.

The Mounds at Nitschke Mounds Park

Nitschke Mounds Park contains 37 preserved effigy, conical, and linear mounds. They are believed to date from around 800 to 1100 AD. The preserved mounds are considered one of the best-preserved examples of the Mound Builder culture, which once inhabited the area that is now Dodge County. Their number and forms give the park a clear identity: effigy mounds stand alongside conical and linear mounds.

Unpaved, grass-surfaced trails wind around the mounds and through Nitschke Mounds Park. This route differs from that of the Wild Goose State Trail, which extends the entire length of the town. If you are interested in the mounds and their history, the park’s varied mound forms and the trails around them are both highlights.

Local History and Seasonal Attractions

Burnett’s local history is reflected in a variety of places. The town has a historic feed mill that is still operating. Burnett Central Cemetery on County Road B is the final resting place of a hero of the American Revolutionary War. A historic mansion has been converted into a bed and breakfast; the grounds also include a private wedding chapel. Each of these places tells a different story about Burnett: a mill still in operation, a cemetery with historical significance, and a mansion put to a new use.

There are also two distinct seasonal attractions. The Antique Power Club holds a show every year on the first weekend in August. Burnett’s large pumpkin farm is known for its “Fall Family Fun” and offers this farm entertainment every autumn. The events fall at different times of the year: the show takes place on the first weekend in August, while the pumpkin farm’s offering is available every autumn.

Choosing Burnett as a Destination

To decide whether Burnett suits your trip, start by choosing what interests you most: nature and trails, the mounds and local history, or a seasonal attraction. If you are looking for a vacation rental or vacation home in Burnett, this can help you decide what kind of stay you want. The different reasons to visit appeal to different interests, without requiring a single, set itinerary.

More places to consider when planning your trip: Lomira, Horicon, Beaver Dam.

For the broader travel overview: Dodge County.