In a state as beautiful as Wisconsin, we have no shortage of incredible natural wonders (or manmade "wonders," for that matter). From the dazzling Apostle Islands National Lakeshore and amazing Horicon National Wildlife Refuge to Devil's Lake State Park and everything that is Door County, you could spend a lifetime exploring the Badger State's wonders. Well, I'm here to add one more to your bucket list: Crex Meadows Wildlife Area. It's a a hidden gem natural wonder in Wisconsin, near the Minnesota border, and if you're a lover of wildlife, it should be on your must-visit list.

You'll find Crex Meadows State Wildlife Area in northwestern Wisconsin's Burnett County, just north of the charming community of Grantsburg. The area is a 30,000-acre expanse of wetlands and forests, as well as pine and oak barrens, that is further surrounded by additional protected natural areas, including the Governor Knowles State Forest, Reed Lake Meadow State Natural Area, and Norway Point Bottomlands State Natural Area.

Crex Meadows's unique combination of location and topography makes it haven for wildlife - both migratory and year-round residents. It's perhaps best known for its large flocks of sandhill cranes, which use Crex Meadows as a staging area during their spring and fall migrations, although Crex Meadows is also a key refuge for several important native habitats, such as sedge meadows and pine/oak barrens, relied on by wildlife for food and cover.

In additions to birds and plants, you'll find many species of mammals, reptiles, amphibians, and insects that make their homes at Crex Meadows.

Observing wildlife at Crex Meadows doesn't have to be a stationary endeavor. There are several miles in the area's trail system, including two miles at Hay Creek (map available on AllTrails Plus), more than three miles at Upper Phantom, and many additional miles of hunting and official trails in the refuge. In winter, the trails are perfect for snowshoeing and cross-country skiing. There's also a road system at Crex that allows for getting out and looking for wildlife when the weather's less than pleasant.

You can get a little more information about the history and geography of the area or plan your visit ahead of time at the Crex Meadows page on the Wisconsin DNR website. There's also a year-round visitor center at the wildlife area, where you'll find exhibits, a library, and an auditorium. If you're a wildlife lover, I think you'll really enjoy a visit to Crex Meadows State Wildlife Area. Do you know of any other hidden gem natural wonders in Wisconsin? Be sure to tell us about them.