Gordon Bubolz Nature Preserve
Rate this placeNearby: Plamann Park Erb Park
Last Updated: December 5, 2025
The Gordon Bubolz Nature Preserve is a 700-acre nature preserve located in the state of Wisconsin.
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Summary
It offers a variety of opportunities for visitors to explore and enjoy the natural beauty of the area.
Some good reasons to visit the preserve include hiking, birdwatching, and nature photography. The preserve has over 10 miles of trails that wind through a variety of habitats, including wetlands, prairies, and forests.
One of the main points of interest at the preserve is the Bubolz Nature Center, which offers educational exhibits and programs for visitors of all ages. The center also features a butterfly garden, a bird observation deck, and a nature-themed playground for children.
Another interesting feature of the preserve is the wetland boardwalk, which allows visitors to explore the wetlands and observe a variety of plant and animal species up close. The preserve also has several ponds that are home to a range of aquatic life, including frogs, turtles, and fish.
Some interesting facts about the preserve include that it was originally owned by the Bubolz family, who donated it to the county for use as a nature preserve. The preserve is also home to several rare plant and animal species, including the eastern massasauga rattlesnake and the eastern bluebird.
The best time of year to visit the Gordon Bubolz Nature Preserve depends on the activities you are interested in. Spring and summer are ideal for hiking, birdwatching, and exploring the wetlands, while fall is a great time to enjoy the changing colors of the leaves. Winter offers opportunities for snowshoeing and cross-country skiing on the preserve's trails.
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Park & Land Designation Reference
Large protected natural areas managed by the federal government to preserve significant landscapes, ecosystems, and cultural resources; recreation is allowed but conservation is the priority.
State Park
Public natural or recreational areas managed by a state government, typically smaller than national parks and focused on regional natural features, recreation, and education.
Local Park
Community-level parks managed by cities or counties, emphasizing recreation, playgrounds, sports, and green space close to populated areas.
Wilderness Area
The highest level of land protection in the U.S.; designated areas where nature is left essentially untouched, with no roads, structures, or motorized access permitted.
National Recreation Area
Areas set aside primarily for outdoor recreation (boating, hiking, fishing), often around reservoirs, rivers, or scenic landscapes; may allow more development.
National Conservation Area (BLM)
BLM-managed areas with special ecological, cultural, or scientific value; more protection than typical BLM land but less strict than Wilderness Areas.
State Forest
State-managed forests focused on habitat, watershed, recreation, and sustainable timber harvest.
National Forest
Federally managed lands focused on multiple use—recreation, wildlife habitat, watershed protection, and resource extraction (like timber)—unlike the stricter protections of national parks.
Wilderness
A protected area set aside to conserve specific resources—such as wildlife, habitats, or scientific features—with regulations varying widely depending on the managing agency and purpose.
Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Land
Vast federal lands managed for mixed use—recreation, grazing, mining, conservation—with fewer restrictions than national parks or forests.
Related References
Plamann Park
Erb Park
Arbutus Park
Appleton Memorial Park
Nienhaus Field