This list is just a sampling of area outdoor opportunities and a great starting point for your to
discover the Great Outdoors in Rock County and beyond in the wonderful state of Wisconsin.

‘Great Outdoors’ - Where To Go

Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources - Explore outdoors - Find great places to go and things to do on state lands around the state.
Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources - Trails, Parks, Lakes, Campsites
Hunt Fish Camp Wisconsin

PARKS
Rock County Parks
Wisconsin State Park System
Wisconsin - Find a Park
Dane County Parks
Rockford Park District
Walworth County Recreation

LAKES
Rock County Fishing Lakes
Wisconsin - Find a Lake
Wisconsin – Beaches and shoreline

TRAILS
Rock County Bike links
American Trails - American Trails is the only national, nonprofit organization working on behalf of all trail interests, including hiking, bicycling, mountain biking, horseback riding, water trails, snowshoeing, cross-country skiing, trail motorcycling, ATVs, snowmobiling and four-wheeling. American Trails members want to create and protect America's network of interconnected trails.
Janesville & Rock County Bike Routes & Trails
Geneva Lake Shorepath Walk
Rock County Ice Age Trail

GARDENS
Rotary Gardens - 1455 Palmer Drive, Janesville, WI  608-752-3885
Anderson Japanese Gardens - 318 Spring Creek Road, Rockford, IL  815-229-9390
Olbrich Gardens - 3330 Atwood Avenue, Madison, WI  608-246-4550

Wisconsin Tourism Site
Discover more of Wisconsin's outdoor treasures and opportunities at this site.

Rock County Community Visitors & Tourism sites
Visit Beloit Convention and Visitors Bureau

Clinton Chamber of Commerce
Edgerton Chamber of Commerce
Evansville Area Chamber of Commerce and Tourism
Janesville Convention and Visitors Bureau
Milton Area Chamber, Industry & Tourism
Orfordville Village
Rock County Tourism Site

‘Great Outdoors’ - What to See

National Wildlife Federation Wildlife
Backyard Nature - Naturalist Jim Conrad
Exploring Nature - Botanist Sheri Amsel
eNature.com - Based out of Washington, DC
USGS Education Resources - U.S. Dept. of the Interior/U.S. Geological Survey/
Bird Identification - Cornell Lab of Orinthology
Tree Identification - Arbor Day Foundation
Animal Tracks
Indian Mounds
Plants of Wisconsin

‘Great Outdoors’ - What to do

HIKING
Ice Age Trail Alliance: Rock County Chapter - The Rock County Chapter hosts workdays and special events throughout the year. Chapter members work in collaboration with the Rock Trail Coalition in developing trails in the county for hiking and biking.
Trail Safety - Learn about safety, stewardship and etiquette on the trail.

BICYCLING
Rock County Bike links
Janesville Velo Club - The club’s mission is to promote and encourage the use of the bicycle as a means of recreation and transportation; to develop a physically fit, self-reliant, well informed citizen; to uphold and support the rights of bicyclists; to encourage the use of facilities for bicycling on public lands; and to provide information in the interests of bicycling safety.

BIRDING
Bird Identification - This online guide to North American Birds features over 800 species of birds in 22 Orders and 74 families. The guide covers all of North America's regular breeding birds - as well as non-breeding species that regularly or occasionally visit North America, north of Mexico.
Green-Rock Audubon Society - The mission of Green-Rock Audubon Society, Inc. is to restore, preserve, and protect the environment for us and future generations through education, activism, and conservancy.
Wisconsin eBird - Launched in 2002 by the Cornell Lab of Ornithology and National Audubon Society, eBird is a real-time, online checklist program and has revolutionized the way that the birding community reports and accesses information about birds.
Wisconsin BirdNet - WisBirdNet is a discussion group linking Wisconsin birders by email. WisBirdNet welcomes the participation of all birders and persons interested in Wisconsin birding news.

HUNTING
Hunter Saftey Classes in Rock County - The Rock County Sheriff's Office is actively engaged in the education of individuals interested in shooting and hunting sports by offering Hunter Education classes throughout the year. The Rock County Sheriff’s office, along with Milton VFW, supports this effort by supplying highly experienced instructors and equipment.
Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources - Hunting - Learn about species, get familiar with the regulations, brush up on safety and plan your hunt.
DNR Safety Education Courses - Find more information on Wisconsin's hunting and bowhunter education programs.
University of Wisconsin-Extension: Hunting publications - Learn how to process and store your harvest.

FISHING
Fishing Wisconsin – Get Started Fishing
Fishing Wisconsin – Frequently Asked Questions
Wisconsin Smallmouth Alliance Ltd. - The Smallmouth Alliance Ltd., as an organization of sport anglers, realizes there are many reasons we fish. The joy of being in the out-of-doors, the pleasure of experiencing the natural world in all its beauty, the satisfaction of learning better fishing techniques, the enjoyment of good company, and the excitement and challenge of catching the “finest fish in fresh water,” and especially the enjoyment of fishing over quality smallmouth.

WATER SPORTS
Sierra Club/John Muir Chapter: Wisconsin Sierra Club River Touring SectionFor people interested in canoeing and kayaking of all types.
Stateline Paddlers - an organization of paddlers based in Rockford, who enjoy paddling in the Northern Illinois or Southern Wisconsin area, join us on a paddle.
Rock Aqua Jays - Our mission is to perform entertaining water ski shows and use them as a platform for teaching safe boating and water skiing techniques to members and the general public. In doing so, we provide our members with physical fitness, personal growth, leadership opportunities, and lifelong friendships. For information call (608) 754-5879 or info@rockaquajays.com

OUTDOOR PHOTOGRAPHY AND ART
Outdoor Photographer - Outdoor Photographer is the premier magazine about outdoor photography. Our photography technique articles are geared to helping you capture the best wildlife, travel and outdoor sports photography. Review photography tips and keep up with digital photography as applied to nature photography; stay current with the latest in photography equipment. You can also explore our readers' favorite places that offer the best in photography locations.
Learn Outdoor Photography: How to Get Started - This blog includes What’s Photography All About? and Equipment
Janesville Camera Club - Learn to take better pictures, join the fun of photographic fieldtrips, enter your pictures in competitions, listen to guest speakers and presentations, and enjoy the company of others who share your interest.https://www.facebook.com/janesvillecameraclub
Wisconsin Area Camera Clubs Organization - The Wisconsin Area Camera Clubs Organization promotes the art and science of photography and its various branches through study and entertainment.
Painting on Location - Includes tips for watercolor painting.

ASTRONOMY
Wisconsin Astronomy - Our own state of Wisconsin is home to world-class astronomy and space research institutions, state-of-the-art planetaria, world-renowned observatories and dozens of amateur astronomy clubs. Want to explore space? Chances are, you can do it from a location very close to home!
Northern Cross Science Foundation - The Foundation exists to promote astronomy and related sciences, and to foster public education in these fields. You don't need a telescope to look at the sky...all you need are your own eyes and a willingness to look up! Find out more about the night sky, and how you can observe it live here in Southeastern Wisconsin.

ORIENTEERING and GEOCACHING
Badger Orienteering Club - The Badger Orienteering Club is the main organization in Wisconsin for orienteering — a racing sport where competitors navigate through a landscape using a map and compass.
Orienteering USA
Geocaching / Groundspeak - International listing of geocaching sites, blog, forum, shopping, tips, videos, and more.

FORAGING WILD EDIBLES
Prodigal Garden: Medicinal Herbs and Wild FoodsThis website is dedicated to educating the public about the Safe and Wise Use of Medicinal Herbs and Wild Foods through direct experience, connection to the Earth and what is provided for us in abundance by Nature. Rose's articles, instructions, recipes and links support people in their efforts to learn how to do things for themselves.

EVENTS
Rock Roll ‘n’ Run (triathelon)
Turkey Trot Run (First Congregational Church)
Jingle Bell Run for Arthritis
Pie Ride (Janesville Morning Rotary Club)
Walk to End Alzheimer’s – Rock County (Alzheimer’s Association)
The Rock River Thresheree

‘Great Outdoors’ - The Outdoors at Home

Audubon At Home - Website includes such topics as Healthy Yards, Healthy Birds and Neighborhood Conservation
USGS: Northern Prairie Wildlife Research Center - Includes lists of seasonal foods for attracting wildlife
National Wildlife Federation - Tips on creating a certified wildlife habitat.
Wisconsin Woodland Owners Association - The Wisconsin Woodland Owners Association (WWOA) welcomes owners of Wisconsin's private woodlands and those interested in the sustainable management of Wisconsin's forests.
The Indiana Woodlot Owner Series - There are thirteen separate articles (in .pdf format) in this informational series.