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In 1673 Jacques Marquette and Louis Joliet were probably the first Europeans to make the portage between the Fox and Wisconsin rivers, thus linking the Great Lakes with the Mississippi River. This junction rapidly developed into an important trade route. By 1835 the portage had become a plank road, which was replaced by a canal in the 1870s.

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SpringHill Suites by Marriott Madison

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Hyatt Place Madison/Verona

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Homewood Suites by Hilton

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Sheraton Madison Hotel

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Moxy Madison Downtown

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Marriott Madison West

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Hyatt Place Madison/Downtown

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Home2 Suites by Hilton Madison Central Alliant Energy Center

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Hilton Madison Monona Terrace

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Hilton Garden Inn Madison Downtown

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EDITOR PICK21 Best State Parks in the U.S. You Don’t Want to Miss AAA Travel Editor, Frank Swanson08/15/2024 : Discover America's hidden gems: State parks. Explore stunning landscapes and outdoor adventures. Our list features the best state parks from coast to desert.21 Best State Parks in the U.S. You Don’t Want to Miss
ARTICLEPortage In 1673 Jacques Marquette and Louis Joliet were probably the first Europeans to make the portage between the Fox and Wisconsin rivers, thus linking the Great Lakes with the Mississippi River. This junction rapidly developed into an important trade route. By 1835 the portage had become a plank road, which was replaced by a canal in the 1870s.Portage
NATIONAL PARKApostle Islands National Lakeshore The Apostle Islands lie offshore from Bayfield Peninsula in Lake Superior in northwestern Wisconsin. There are 22 Apostle Islands ranging in size from 3 acres to 14,000 acres. All but Madeline IslandApostle Islands National Lakeshore
NATIONAL PARKChequamegon Nicolet National Forest In north-central and northeastern Wisconsin, the Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest comprises 1.5 million acres in four separate regions. The Chequamegon (she-Wa-ma-gon) area covers 856,938 acres east, south and northwest of Park Falls on SRs 182 and 13; the Nicolet (nik-oh-LAY) area totals 661,200 acres east of Rhinelander and is accessible via several major highways.Chequamegon Nicolet National Forest
NATIONAL PARKEffigy Mounds National Monument Three miles north of Marquette on SR 76, Effigy Mounds National Monument extends 3 miles along the bluffs of the Mississippi River and covers 2,526 acres. The Yellow River divides the tract into two sections. The 206 mounds, some built in the shape of animals and birds, contain the remains of a Native American society that lived in this region between 1,000 and 2,500 years ago. At the visitor center a video and museum explain the history of the mounds.Effigy Mounds National Monument
NATIONAL PARKHiawatha National Forest With shorelines on lakes Huron, Michigan and Superior, the two portions of the Hiawatha National Forest embrace 893,348 acres of the Upper Peninsula and feature the only Great Lakes lighthouses in the national forest system. The broad western unit extends southward from Munising to Rapid Rivers and includes Big Bay de Noc and Little Bay de Noc. The eastern unit reaches from St. IgnaceHiawatha National Forest
NATIONAL PARKHuron Manistee National Forests Some areas require a vehicle pass. A day pass costs $5 and offers access to trailheads, boat and canoe launches, and other day-use recreation sites; passes for other lengths of time also are available. A fee is charged for camping and for watercraft permits. Contact the Huron-Manistee National Forests Headquarters, 1755 S. Mitchell St., Cadillac, MI 49601; phone (231) 775-2421 or (800) 821-6263. Huron Manistee National Forests
NATIONAL PARKIndiana Dunes National Park On the southern shore of Lake Michigan, Indiana Dunes National Park covers 15,000 acres and is traversed by a scenic stretch of Indiana Dunes National Park
NATIONAL PARKOttawa National Forest In the Upper Peninsula, the 986,518 acres of the Ottawa National Forest are intermingled with approximately 606,300 acres of state, county and privately owned land. Included are Ottawa National Forest
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