Derge Park

The Great Outdoors

Only about half an hour's drive east of the campground are the Horicon Marsh State Wildlife Area and the Horicon National Wildlife Refuge, which are connected. You can visit them at the same time when you take a day trip to this beautiful natural area. Here you can join an educational program about wildlife in the visitor center or explore the largest marsh in the state. Take a hike around the park or enjoy exploring from the water with a kayak or canoe. The park is a mix of prairie, water, and forest, with a lot of opportunities for bird watching. Some of the migratory birds and other animals you can see here are American white pelicans, redhead ducks, and muskrats. Another popular activity here is photography, so don’t forget your binoculars and camera.Peter Helland Wildlife Area is approximately half an hour's drive west of Derge Park. The area covers about 700 acres of grassland and woodland and has about 2,700 acres of wetland that provide important wildlife habitat to migratory birds. If you like birdwatching, this might be just the right place to visit. Here you can also go hiking, canoeing, and kayaking. Other activities include wildlife watching, wild edibles gathering, and cross-country skiing. Hunters can find several species here, including deer, rabbits, furbearers, pheasants, turkey, and more.Kettle Moraine State Forest – Northern Unit is about one hour's drive east of Derge Park Campground. The forest spans over 30,000 acres of grassland, rolling hills, woodland, and lakes, including Mauthe Lake. Explore this beautiful natural area by hiking, bicycling, horseback riding, or scenic driving. There are many beautiful hiking trails, including The Ice Age Trail, which has shelters and is open year-round. Visit in the wintertime, and you can go skiing, snowmobiling, and tubing. If you like hunting, you can search for resident game species like wolves, black bears, deer, furbearers, turkeys, and more.

Explore the City

With an RV rental in Dodge County, you can visit numerous attractions in nearby cities. One of the closest attractions to the campground is Beaver Dam Area Arts Association. In this beautiful center, you can see temporary exhibits, join classes, or partake in a festival.Waupun City Heritage Museum is just a short drive from Derge Park Campground. The museum is located inside the public library, which was first opened in the 19th century. The museum is dedicated to preserving the history of the city of Waupun and its citizens. Here you can see many historical artifacts, family genealogies, and sculptures.South of the campground in Watertown, you can check out the unique Octagon House. The house was built in 1854 by John Richards, one of the first European settlers in the town. This five-floor brick building was one of the largest homes in 19th-century Wisconsin and features central heating, running water, ventilating systems, and a central spiral staircase. Wraparound porches adorn the home's exterior. The family gave the house to the city in the early 20th century, to be opened as a museum. While you're here, you can also visit the United States' First Kindergarten building, established in Watertown in 1856. The structure was moved to the Octagon House site in 1956.