Great Swamp National Wildlife Refuge Wilderness

Roughly 25,000 years ago, where the Wisconsin Glacier reached its furthest point south and stopped, the creation of Great Swamp began. With cattail marshes, wet meadows, swamp woodlands, and ridges thick with oak, beech, and laurel, Great Swamp provides a home for 39 species of mammals including mice, moles, skunks, raccoons, otters, foxes, white-tailed deer, and the endangered Indiana bat. Migratory birds see Great Swamp as a "nest and rest," and 244 species have been identified. Numerous reptiles and amphibians have taken up residence, including rare bog turtles, wood turtles, and blue-spotted salamanders. The Great Swamp National Wildlife Refuge was established in 1960 following grassroots action to save the area from being developed into a major metropolitan airport. In 1968 the eastern half of the Refuge was designated as the very first Wilderness within the Department of the Interior. About 8.5 miles of primitive trails provide access. The Wilderness is open during daylight hours only and groups are limited to 10 people. Camping and fishing are not permitted, and pets and horseback riding are prohibited.