River bend Nature Center - Racine, WI

River Bend Nature Center is a 78-acre nature preserve and education center, and has quickly become one of my favorite nature preserves south of Milwaukee. Nestled along the banks of the Root River, River Bend offers walking trails, canoeing, kayaking, educational programs, summer camp programs, and family friendly events year-round.  They even offer night canoeing events.  

The scenery is lush and the wildlife plentiful. It's a magnificent preserve for bird watching. Calling from the trees and bushes here you will find Rose-breasted Grosbeaks, Indigo Buntings, Gray Catbirds, Cedar Waxwings, and Downey Woodpeckers, just to name a few. Dragonflies land on wildflowers along the trails, deer wander through the woodlands, and frogs call from the pond along the way.

During very wet seasons the boardwalk trail can become waterlogged, so just something to keep in mind.

The center is available for rental for special events and meetings. In recent years they added a new outdoor amphitheater for special presentations, and more.

Hours: Grounds and trails open every day, sunrise to sunset.
Office Hours: 8am to 4pm
Daily Admission: Free
 
Location: 3600 N. Green Bay Road, Racine, WI (Racine County)
 For more information, click here.