Columbia County
Where the Outdoors Comes Alive!

Discover a huge variety of great year-round outdoor recreational experiences when you visit Columbia County. Located in southwestern Wisconsin, the beauty of Wisconsin's northwoods is conveniently nearby. Columbia County boasts 11,000 acres of lakes, 16,000 acres of public hunting land and wildlife areas, 49 miles of trout streams, 27 boat landings and 3,000 campsites. In Columbia County you'll also find charming communities with a rich heritage, friendly residents and lots of fun activities. The communities of Arlington, Cambria,  Columbus, Fall River, Friesland, Leeds,  Lodi, Okee, Pardeeville, Portage,  Poynette, Randolph and Rio, Wyocena and  Wisconsin Dells feature great dining, accommodations, shopping and attractions for every member of the family.

Outdoor Attractions

In Columbia County, you are close to great outdoor recreational activities. Winter recreation includes downhill skiing, snowboarding and tubing at Cascade Mountain, one of Wisconsin's top ski resorts. Snowmobiling enthusiasts will enjoy 181 miles of snowmobile trails. During the warmer months,  the  many lakes and rivers in Columbia County are ideal  for fishing, boating, sailing, water-skiing and swimming. Lake Wisconsin and the Wisconsin River provide countless water recreation as well as great fishing for  sturgeon, panfish, bass, northern, walleye and muskie. The walking/biking trail along the Wisconsin River Levee and the Ice Age Trail are great ways to enjoy the area's scenery all year round. In addition, the MacKenzie Center offers 280 acres of nature-based experiences, including hiking themed nature trails, museums, and outdoor exhibits. Several restored prairie and native plant nurseries are spectacular during the spring and summer months. Columbia County has 16 state-owned wildlife areas and a federal waterfowl production area, many of which are open to the public for wildlife observation as well as for hunting and fishing. 

Recreational Activities

Columbia County offers unique and exciting attractions and activities. Famous as the playground of the Midwest, Wisconsin Dells provides fun for the entire family with gigantic, indoor and outdoor water parks, adventure parks, amusement rides, fantastic miniature golf courses,  and go-cart tracks. You'll also enjoy curio shops, museums, riding stables, petting zoos, helicopter tours, country music theater, and a professional water-ski and thrill show. For golf enthusiasts, Columbia County offers five beautiful public golf courses.

History comes alive in Columbia County. Learn about our American Indian roots and our fur trading heritage at historical sites like the Portage Canal, Surgeon's Quarters and Indian Agency House. In Portage you'll find homes dating back to the 1870's in the Society Hill area, a downtown historic retail district and many other historic attractions. Portage is Wisconsin's third oldest settlement and celebrates its 150th anniversary in 2004.

Shopping, Dining & Lodging

If you are a shopping enthusiast, you've come to the right place. Columbia County features a great shopping experience for everyone. There are specialty shops, boutiques, gift stores, and craft shops featuring custom made Amish furniture, fashion, jewelry, home accessories, antiques and much more. In fact, you'll find Wisconsin's largest antique mall in Columbia County. The Columbus Antique Mall and Museum has over 72,000 square feet of antiques, collectibles, books, and furniture and features the largest collection of glassware in the USA. The Columbus Antique Mall features over 180 of Wisconsin's finest dealers. 

You certainly won't go hungry in Columbia County. From casual family restaurants, cafes and grills to supper clubs, steak houses and specialty cuisine there is plenty of good food to enjoy. Visitors to Columbia County enjoy a broad selection of accommodations, including beautiful full-service resorts, intimate bed and breakfast inns, primitive campsites and rustic woodland cottages.

Columbia County

Visit the Columbia County Business Directory for Portage, Columbus, Lodi, Pacific, Poynette, Dekorra, Wisconsin Dells, Pardeeville, West Point, Wyocena, Caledonia, Lewiston, Fall River, Marcellon, Lowville, Rio and neighboring Wisconsin communities

Attractions, Parks, Museums and Things to Do in Columbia County

Area Attractions

• MacKenzie Environmental Center

• Wildlife Areas Columbia County

  • Columbus Wetland

  • Dekorra Wetland

  • Duck Creek Wetland

  • French Creek Wildlife Area

  • Grassy Lake Wildlife Area

  • Hampden Wetland

  • Jennings Creek Wildlife Area

  • Lodi Marsh Area

  • Mud Lake Wildlife Area

  • Paradise Marsh Wildlife Area

  • Pine Island Wildlife Area

  • Springville Wildlife Area

  • Swan Lake Wildlife Area

  • Hinkson Creek Fishery

  • Rowan Creek Fishery

  • Rocky Run Creek Fishery

  • Federal Waterfowl Production Areas

• Lake Wisconsin

• Wisconsin River

• Pauquette Park

• National Scenic Ice Age Trail

• Cascade Mountain

• Wisconsin Dells

• Historic Sites

  • Indian Agency House

  • Portage Canal

  • Surgeon's Quarters at Ft. Winnebago

  • Historic Downtown Portage

  • Society Hill - Portage

  • Church Hill District - Portage

  • Industrial Waterfront District