Avon Bottoms State Wildlife and State Natural Area

Avon Bottoms straddles the Sugar River in the southwestern corner of Rock County. Its 1,500 acres consists of lowland hardwood forest, wetlands, marsh, sloughs and mesic prairie. It also includes a State Natural Area of 168 acres in the floodplain of the meandering river. The property’s forest contains large silver maple, swamp white oak and green ash as well as sycamore trees at the northern limit of their range. Bird life is diverse here with nesting Cerulean and Prothonotary Warblers, Yellow-breasted Chat and Yellowcrowned Night-Heron. Wildlife here includes a variety of reptiles, amphibians and invertebrates. One of the best ways to view this property is by canoe or kayak on the Sugar River.

Directions: Travel west of Beloit 10 miles on Hwy 81 to parking areas located off Nelson or Avon Store Roads.

Gazetteer: Page 28, D-1 & 2 (prior to 10th edition). | Page 93, E-5 (10th edition).

Phone: 608/273-5955.

Web site: WDNR Avon Bottoms Wildlife Area | WDNR Avon Bottoms State Natural Area

Signature Species: Yellow-billed Cuckoo, Prothonotary Warbler and Whip Poor Will.

Rare Species: Acadian Flycatcher, Cerulean Warbler and Osprey.

Parking: Parking lots.

Nearest food & lodging: Beloit.