Cassville Area Recreation
Birdwatching & Nature Guide

Cassville, Wisconsin is synonymous with the Bald Eagle. The American bald eagle makes its winter home in Cassville due to the plentiful supply of fish from the Mississippi River. Each year, Cassville sponsors a Bald Eagle Day event. But our glorious national bird is not the only bird you can view in Cassville. Along the Mississippi River, a Fish and Wildlife Refuge has been established and many different species of birds including ospreys, herons, cranes, a wide variety of ducks, and songbirds can be found along the back roads and in the area parks.

Birding Checklist for the Upper Mississippi Bird & Wildlife Refuge  

Birdwatching
Cassville, Wisconsin is synonymous with the Bald Eagle. The American bald eagle makes its winter home in Cassville due to the plentiful supply of fish from the Mississippi River. Each year, Cassville sponsors a Bald Eagle Day event. But our glorious national bird is not the only bird you can view in Cassville. Along the Mississippi River, a Fish and Wildlife Refuge has been established and many different species of birds including ospreys, herons, cranes, a wide variety of ducks, and songbirds can be found along the back roads and in the area parks.

Birding Checklist for the Upper Mississippi Bird & Wildlife Refuge  

Cassville Birding & Nature Guide (Adobe Acrobat Reader 5.0 necessary to open brochure)

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  Boating & Fishing

The Mississippi River rolls by Cassville as it has for thousands of years and the locals spend much time on the river. Photo by Golly Creek Photography Boating -- whether it is canoeing the back waters or speed boating on the main channel -- is a favorite past time.   Visitors to the Cassville area can also canoe or tube on the scenic Grant River.  Fishing is also a relaxing way to pass the time.  Catfish, walleye, perch, bass, crappies and blue gills are all plentiful in the Mississippi. Cassville has a new handicap accessible pier for all fishing enthusiasts to enjoy. Tackle, fishing licenses and bait can be purchased in several places in the Cassville area . 

Public boat docks and landing and launch ramps can be found along Riverside Park. Many visitors travel the Mississippi by boat and Cassville offers excellent facilities for boaters. Riverside Park has showers and bathrooms close to the boat landing. The downtown area with restaurants is only two blocks from the landing site. The area bed & breakfasts and other lodging establishments offer pick up service or convenient boat docks for visitors. Boat rentals, tubing and canoe rentals can be found in the Cassville area.
River Mile Markers
Eagles Roost Resort & Marina 606.3
Landing & Launch Ramps: 606.4
Public Boat Docks (Riverside Park): 606.4 - 606.8
Schleicher's Landing: 612
  Exploring Back Roads
Cassville is surrounded by lovely winding roads. A favorite past time of visitors is getting a good Grant County map and going off to explore our Farm Roads and rustic back roads. Follow Closing Dam Road to the old dam, a favorite fishing spot of many. Goodnuf Hollow Road is always a beautiful and serene drive, and you may see a bald eagle or a whitetail deer. You can also explore the ruins of an old stone home. Follow Far Nuf Road under the railroad tracks on your way to a US Corp of Engineers boat landing. Find out why Dugway Road is a favorite of many visitors with its breathtaking view of the Mississippi River and dense wooded area. Drive the picturesque road in Nelson Dewey State Park and visit the many rustic camp sites, and view the panoramic view of the Mississippi River from the lookout area.
Hiking
The Cassville area is known for its panoramic views and one of the best ways to see the Mississippi is to hike in one of the area's parks. Nelson Dewey State Park offers hiking, bird watching and nature trails.

You can also see some of the Indian mounds left by Native Americans circa 600-1300 A.D. The views from the park overlooking the Mississippi River Valley can only be described as breathtaking.  Visit the Native Prairie area of Nelson Dewey State Park while you are hiking.  Colorful wildflowers and remnants of the stone walls Nelson Dewey had built on his estate can be found in this area. 

The Roe Preserve is a newly acquired wildlife and nature conservancy through the Mississippi River Conservancy, the Wisconsin's DNR and donations by Lawrence Roe.  This 244 acre area will have hiking trails along the river and up on the bluffs overlooking the Mississippi River.  Guided hikes are periodically offered and will be listed on this website as we are made aware of them.

Visitors to Cassville can also enjoy the hiking trails of nearby state parks -- Wyalusing, Pike's Peak State Park and Effigy Mounds Park.
Each day many of Cassville's residents head out the door to do some serious walking. Many favorite walking routes include Riverside Park and Jack Oak Road near the Mississippi River. Our Historic Walking Tour provides visitors with insight into our historic past.
Cassville Parks & Picnic Areas
Riverside Park
Nelson Dewey State Park
If you approach Cassville by boat, the first view of Cassville will include our Riverside Park. It is has been a favorite site for many visitors through the years. Native Americans placed an effigy mound in the shape of a bald eagle in what is now Riverside Park.  Large steam powered paddle wheelers in the 1800's tied up to the large mooring rings along the park. In the 1800's, visitors would take dinner cruises to Cassville that culminated with a dance in the Denniston House ballroom. You can still see one of the mooring rings almost directly across from the Denniston House. Now visitors and locals take advantage of the shelters, children's playground equipment, launching ramps, RV pumpout station at the the south end of the park, grills, boat docks, basketball court, restrooms with showers, and the newly built Wildlife Observation Deck.
 
 
 
 
 
 
The Year of the Trail

There is no question about it -- the best way to see one of Wisconsin's state parks or forests is on foot.

Nelson Dewey State Park has several trails totaling about 3 miles in length.  The Prairie Trail  passes through a native prairie with nice views of the Mississippi River.  The Woodbine Nature Trail  is a self-guided nature trail passing through woods, near prairie and offers more views of the Mississippi River valley.  The Mound Point Trail  has fine views of the Mississippi River, passes near Indian Mounds, and has benches along the way so visitors can observe wildlife and birds flying on the Mississippi Flyway.  The park's newspaper includes more information on these trails and the other trails at Nelson Dewey State Park.

Nelson Dewey has fabulous overlook campsites, group campsites & quiet, wooded campsites.  Showers and picnic areas are easily accessible.

 

To make reservations, call:            

1-888-WI- PARKS (888-947-2757)   

Friends Group Web pages
Link to Nelson Dewey State Park: http://dnr.wi.gov/org/land/parks/specific/nelsondewey/

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Swimming & Biking at Cassville
Swimming
The Cassville Municipal Swimming Pool is located off of Highway 133 on the west side of the village. Near the swimming pool visitors will find two tennis courts and some playground equipment. Cassville's swimming pool is open from Memorial Day until late August from 1 to 5 and from 6 to 8 daily. Phone: 608-725-2166
Biking
Cassville is part of the Driftless region of Wisconsin. This area was untouched by the glaciers that flattened much of the Midwest. Many "Hidden Valleys" lie unexpectedly around each curve and beyond each hill making Cassville a biker's paradise. Outside magazine and Silent Sports magazine did articles on Cassville's recreational opportunities. The roads are well maintained and offer photo opportunities around each bend. Visitors from across the country come here to challenge themselves on Cassville's rustic back roads.

In 2000, Sprockets Annual Great Bike Ride Across Wisconsin (SAGBRAW XXIII) started in Cassville at Riverside Park.  The first leg of their journey was voted as one of the best and most challenging of the week long ride.
Winter Sports at Cassville

During the winter, many cross-country skiers come to our area to ski  in nearby Wyalusing State Park. Snowmobilers can utilize Grant County's many snow mobile trails. Ice fishing is very popular in the Bertom Lake area off of Far Nuf Road.

Winter is also a great time to view bald eagles who are wintering along the Mississippi River. 
Camping & Campgrounds
Enjoy a relaxing visit next to a crackling campfire and listen to nature's wonderful sounds.  After a day of fishing, boating or shopping, the abundant wildlife will facinate you as a Whitetail Deer, Squirrel or other wildlife scurries past your campsite. To see a complete list of local campgrounds, click the button below and prepare for a memorable visit.