To look out over the waters of the Fox & Wisconsin Rivers is to survey the history—and future—of Wisconsin itself. Here, native peoples raised their families on their banks. Explorers Jacques Marquette and Louis Joliet opened up the West as they canoed a snaking path toward the Mississippi. And generations of Wisconsinites have flocked to their shores as the rivers produced power for their factories, recreational opportunities for their leisure, and inspiration for their conservation. In short, the Fox & Wisconsin Rivers and their contributing waterways connect us all as Wisconsinites with our history, culture—and each other—in ways few other state treasures can.
Our website is designed to help you explore the places and people that make up this unique region. Browse our growing list of Parkway destinations and trails and the history behind them. Whether you want to engage in an experience of what life was like as a fur trader, learn the art of papermaking, paddle the sparkling waters of the Wisconsin River or spend a day visiting the unique shops and cafes of our riverside communities—there’s something for everyone! It is our hope that once you experience our treasures and our stories, you will help to preserve them for today and future generations to come.
