Erickson Conservation Area

Located next to Argyle High School with access from the Argyle Legion Park, Erickson Conservation Area provides a true community asset. The preserve is open to the public year-round for non-motorized uses including hiking, skiing, nature observation, and fishing. Visitors will enjoy a variety of trails, scenic vistas, and habitat types, plus abundant wildlife!

Quick Facts

Argyle, WI
220 acres
Approximately 2.5 miles of flat, easy trails
Wetlands, river frontage, oak savanna, prairie
Fishing access
Hunting and trapping permitted in most of preserve

Getting Here

The main entrance to the property is from the Argyle Legion Community Park. From the parking lot, walk west across the mowed area to the kiosk. Follow the boardwalk and start exploring the trails!

Parking

Parking is available at the Argyle Legion Community Park.

Trails and Other Features

Details coming soon!

Accessibility

Parking is available at the Argyle Legion Community Park. The park also provides a picnic shelter.

Volunteer!

Volunteer workdays are the first and third Wednesday of each month, from 10am-2pm. Anyone interested in volunteering should contact our Land Management Specialist Zach Pacana (zachary@driftlessconservancy.org).

What Will You Find Here?

Erickson Conservation Area houses an amazing variety of wetland habitats, including river floodplain, inland ponds, sedge meadow, and even groundwater influenced fens! With the variety of habitats comes a variety of wildlife utilizing their individual niches. This ranges from the charismatic Blanding’s turtle to the nondescript sedges. Visits during the spring migration season reveal waterfowl of all sorts, including an ever-increasing population of American White Pelican.

Preserve Rules

Preserve hours are dawn to dusk. Camping and building campfires are not allowed.
Foot traffic only. The trails are designed for hiking and snowshoeing. Horseback riding, bicycles, and motorized equipment are not permitted on the preserve.
Stay on the trails. Hiking off-trail disturbs vegetation and wildlife, and increases your chances of encountering natural hazards or trespassing outside of preserve boundaries.
Keep dogs on a leash at all times. Off-leash dogs can stress, injure, or kill wildlife, and may create an unpleasant experience for other visitors.
Leave no trace. Carry out everything that you carry in, including garbage and pet waste. Garbage cans are available at Legion Community Park.
Hunters must observe all state and local regulations. In particular, please note that firearms are not permitted in Argyle Legion Community Park or within 1000 feet of the school (map). We suggest hunters contact our Land Management Specialist Zach Pacana at zachary@driftlessconservancy.org or (608) 930-3252 for recommended access points. DALC does not require permits for hunting or trapping at Erickson Conservation Area.

DALC’s first ambassador property, Erickson Conservation Area was acquired in 2012 when Alex and Mary Erickson sold this property to us in a bargain sale. They wanted to make sure their extraordinary piece of land would become a community treasure, something for people from all walks of life, especially children, to enjoy. “Seeing this land protected so that it will inspire kids and the Argyle community has always been a dream of Alex’s,” Mary notes.

Protecting land starts with passion and vision. This community resource would not have been possible without the generosity of Alex and Mary Erickson and the hard work of the Argyle community. It is sustained by the stewardship of our many active volunteers for whom we are endlessly thankful. We also gratefully acknowledge support from the Knowles-Nelson Stewardship Fund, the Paul E. Stry Foundation, the James E. Dutton Foundation, the Community Foundation of Southern WI, and Americorps NCCC.

Mary and Alex Erickson on site at their beautiful property.