Clark and Marathon counties feature many outdoor recreation opportunities. Make it an afternoon with a picnic and hiking, or take a whole week to explore the area while staying at one of the many campgrounds.
Dorchester Park
This beautiful 43-acre park is the site of the S.S. Dorchester Memorial, honoring the more than 600 men who died on the ship in World War II. The park offers camping, tennis, volleyball, basketball, horseshoes, biking and fishing in the park's 10-acre lake. Located right in the village of Dorchester, the park is a community gathering site for softball tournaments and youth activities.
Click here for Map to Dorchester, WI
Shortner Park
The City of Abbotsford maintains three city parks which include several shelters available for rent, a camping area and lots of places to play. Shortner park is the newest addition to Abby's parks. The 40-acre park features camping, fishing and picnic area next to two ponds. An open air shelter is available, and a new shelter will be constructed soon.
Click here for Map to Abbotsford, WI
Athens Parks
The Village of Athens maintains lots of green space, including four parks, a sporting range, ball diamond and village forest. Memorial Park is located in the village's center and has a shelter with blacktop floor, camping hookups, grills, picnic tables, modern playground equipment and a memorial site which includes an army tank. In the winter the shelter is flooded to make a skating rink.
Erbach park is a 16.2 acre area located on the north side of Athens, adjacent to Black Creek. This land was donated for park space and has been extensively developed in recent years. Currently this park includes a beach area, restrooms, shelter with kitchen, playground equipment, nature trails and volleyball courts.
Click here for Map to Athens, WI
Edgar Parks
Known as the "Village of Parks," Edgar has a well-established community-wide system of parks and recreational facilities. Oak Street Park is located on North Third Avenue. At eight acres, the park facilities available include two shelters, picnic tables, grills, horseshoe pits, grass volleyball court and playground. This park is also home to the "Pioneer Log Cabin," a local historical building once occupied by early settlers to the area.
Edgar Softball Park is located at First Ave. and Lutz Street. This recreation area includes a lighted softball field, concession stand, picnic tables and playground.
Located at Chesak Ave. at the northwest corner of the Village, Minnow Ponds Park is a 10-plus acre park which contains four spring-fed ponds which were initially developed for raising minnows. The park facilities include a shelter, changing area, grills, picnic tables, playground, volleyball court and walking/jogging trails. A 1.75 acre pond with a sand beach has been developed for swimming. The other ponds have fish planted in them.
Shortner Athletic Park is located on the south bank of Scotch Creek, just east of Third Avenue. The park features a lighted blacktop basketball court and soccer field, as well as a sandbox and playground toys.
Scotch Creek Park is a one acre park located on the north bank of Scotch Creek, just west of Third Ave. Facilities include a shelter with picnic tables, sand volleyball court, tetherball and playground.
Click here for Map to Edgar, WI
Owen Parks
Owen has four parks: Crowley, East Side, Veteran's Memorial, and Millpond Park. Crowley Park offers eight campsites with electricity, water and bathrooms. It is located on the banks of the Popple River.
Millpond Park features three pavilions and is the home of the Owen Jr. Fair. A volleyball court and horseshoe pits are available, along with a playground and handicapped accessible fishing dock.
Click here for Map to Owen, WI
Clark County Forest
Spreading across western and southern Clark County, the forest was established in 1934. The idea of county forests originated in Wisconsin and only two other states have them: Michigan and Minnesota. These forests were created to rescue abandoned lands left over from logging and failed homesteads.
Clark County's forest covers almost 133,000 acres. It features many miles designated for ATVs, mountain biking, hiking and horseback riding. Roads and trails throughout the forest provide access for hunting, camping, wildlife viewing and fishing.
All terrain vehicles are definitely welcome in the Clark County Forest. More than 135 miles of summer-use trails and routes wind through the forest. Winter mileage and snowmobile trails are also available for the winter months. Parking lots, loading ramps, day-use areas, fuel and food make it a pleasure to travel the county's ATV trails.
Knobby Ridge Motorcycle Trail is one of the few single-track motorcycle trails in the state. There are more than 16 miles of looped trail through the County Forest.
Thirty-four miles of non-motorized trails offer a haven for mountain bikers and hiker.s The best views of the sandstone bluffs are seen here.
Horse lovers can ride on over 41 miles of interconnected loop trails near Wild Rock Campground. Terrain ranges from easy to more difficult.
Looking to stay a while? The forest features seven campgrounds ranging from modern to more rustic. The smallest, Wild Rock Park, is also the newest. It features 30 campsites centrally located on the trail system. It is also the favorite destination of horseback riders.
For something a little more modern, Russell Memorial Park and Campground is located on the corner of the forest and on the 821-acre Lake Arbutus. With 230 campsites, four boat landings, three shower houses and on-site convenience store and laundromat, this campground is an ideal family destination.
Other campgrounds along the county forest include: Rock Dam, 150 campsites; Mead Lake, 71 campsites; Sherwood Park, 36 campsites; Snyder Park, 32 campsites; and Wilcat Mound, featuring remote camping.
Enjoy!
Julie Mik
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