Your Gateway to the Reserve

The first stop for visitors should be the Ralph H. Wise Nature Center, overlooking the Eau Claire River bottom and surrounding hills. The Nature Center is your starting point for exploring the wonders of the Reserve. Volunteers and staff will collect admission fees, offer information about the Reserve and provide maps of our trails.

When planning your adventure be sure to include time to visit the nature center's hands-on discovery room where visitors can learn about Wisconsin's flora and fauna by viewing the live animal exhibits, exploring the hands-on interpretive learning stations and observing the outdoor bird-feeding stations.  

The Nature Center also houses classrooms, a large multiuse auditorium, reference library and gift shop. For information on rental and use of the rooms at the Nature Center, please refer to the scheduling your visit page in the Overnight Planner.

Nature Center Hours

The Nature Center is open year-round:  

• Monday - Friday, 8 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. (Closed Mondays January through April 1st)
• Saturdays 9 a.m. - 4 p.m. 
• Sundays 12 - 4 p.m.
• Please call for holiday hours, 715-877-2212