Paradise Valley Wildlife Area in Dousman
Bark River Unit panorama with approaching stormfront.
Four separate parcels of land in western Waukesha County make up Paradise Valley Wildlife Area. The Reagon’s Lake, School Section Lake, and Bark River Units are in the Town of Ottawa near Dousman. The Beaver Dam Lake Unit is closer to Eagle.
The DNR describes the terrain as “grasslands, oak openings, southern forest and emergent wetlands.” The DNR website lists recreational opportunities as birding, canoeing, fishing, trapping, wild edibles gathering and wildlife viewing. Hiking, cross-country skiing and snowshoeing may be done, although there are no designated trails. Hunting is allowed and the Bark River Unit has an accessible hunting blind.
The School Section Lake, Beaver Dam Lake and Bark River Units are all identified as ebird hotspots.
See maps for locations:
Story link: “Paradise Valley?” on Urban Wilderness
Gallery (click to enlarge)
-
- Tracking wildlife. Bark River Unit.
-
- Bark River Unit wetland.
-
- Evidence of controlled burn. Bark River Unit.
-
- Bark River, old channel
-
- A pair of sandhill cranes. Bark River Unit.
-
- cranes taking off
-
- cranes in flight
-
- Reagon’s Lake Unit. Photo by Phil Krejcarek.
-
- Reagon’s Lake Unit trail. Photo by Phil Krejcarek
Address
School Section Lake Dr53118, Dousman, wi, US