Outdoor Writers Association of America (OWAA) 2026 Conference

• Provided by: Destination Madison, Aly Catacutan, [email protected]  
• Minimum Participants: 6
• Maximum Participants: 6
• Meals & transportation will be covered with an optional dinner.
• Who can attend & cost - To confirm your place on this tour, a $25 reservation fee or a credit card on file is required and will be paid directly to Destination Madison. This fee will be fully refunded—or not processed—once you attend.
• • Active, Senior, and Life Members (media) - $0
  • Supporting group members (non-media, partners, speakers) - $0
  • Spouses/partners - $0

Kayak on the Sugar River from Verona to Paoli, just outside Madison, in the morning, ending at Seven Acre Dairy Co. A companion tour will also be offered at this time, with options to use the river-side sauna .The two groups will come together at lunch time for a classic Wisconsin Fish Fry before making their way back to Madison. 

(Times subject to change)

DEADLINE TO REGISTER: AUGUST 7 
(If minimum numbers have not been met by the deadline, the tour may be cancelled. You will be contacted with the option to choose another tour if this happens.) 

• Provided by: Destination Madison, Aly Catacutan, [email protected] 
  https://www.visitmadison.com/things-to-do/outdoors-and-recreation/on-the-lakes/ 
• Minimum Participants: 6
• Maximum Participants: 10
• Start Location: Starts and ends at The Edgewater hotel downtown Madison
• Meals & transportation (if needed) will be covered with an optional dinner.
• Who can attend & cost - To confirm your place on this tour, a $25 reservation fee or a credit card on file is required and will be paid directly to Destination Madison. This fee will be fully refunded—or not processed—once you attend.
  
  • Active, Senior, and Life Members (media) - $0
  • Supporting group members (non-media, partners, speakers) - $0
  • Spouses/partners - $0

Enjoy this combo pontoon and paddle tour as you explore beautiful Lake Mendota. Start the day off with a scenic and informative tour of Lake Mendota, learning about the lake’s history - from a submerged ancient Ho-Chunk village where canoes dating back thousands of years have been found, to the modern four-season use of the expansive lake. After the pontoon tour, you will embark with kayaks, single or tandem, and paddle deep into the beautiful Pheasant Branch Conservancy. This natural spring-fed marsh boasts over 1,800 gallons per minute, creating vital, clean water habitats for wildlife and aiding regional stormwater management.  A lakeside lunch will follow the kayak tour. The afternoon may include a visit the University of Wisconsin Arboretum along the shores of Lake Wingra for an overview hike or an ecological work group experience.  

(Times subject to change)

DEADLINE TO REGISTER: AUGUST 7 
(If minimum numbers have not been met by the deadline, the tour may be cancelled. You will be contacted with the option to choose another tour if this happens.) 

• Provided by: Destination Madison, Aly Catacutan, [email protected] 
  https://www.visitmadison.com/listings/ice-age-national-scenic-trail/183258/
• Minimum Participants:4
• Maximum Participants: 10
  
• Meals & transportation will be covered with an optional dinner.
• Who can attend & cost - To confirm your place on this tour, a $25 reservation fee or a credit card on file is required and will be paid directly to Destination Madison. This fee will be fully refunded—or not processed—once you attend. 
  • Active, Senior, and Life Members (media) - $0
  • Supporting group members (non-media, partners, speakers) - $0
  • Spouses/partners - $0

Embark on an exciting hiking adventure along the Ice Age National Scenic Trail! This tour features a picturesque 3-mile hike on one of the Trail's "showcase" segments, complemented by a less-than-1-mile bushwhacking experience into a recently acquired 100-acre addition to the Ice Age Trail. Starting at the Ice Age Trail Alliance headquarters, you'll gain insights into the creation and upkeep of a national scenic trail. Discover how land turns into a trail-hosting property while enjoying stunning natural beauty and a hint of urban exploration. Engage with trail builders and habitat restoration experts, making this journey a unique behind-the-scenes look at the Trail's essence. Lunch included.  

(Times subject to change)

DEADLINE TO REGISTER: AUGUST 7 
(If minimum numbers have not been met by the deadline, the tour may be cancelled. You will be contacted with the option to choose another tour if this happens.) 

A Legacy of Conservation: The Past and Present of Wisconsin’s Wild Spaces

DEADLINE TO REGISTER:  7/22/2026
Minimum Participants: 3
Maximum Participants: 5
Host: Travel Wisconsin
Primary Contact: Logan Wroge, [email protected]
Who can attend & Cost: 

• Active, Senior, and Life Members (media) - $0
• Supporting group members (non-media, partners, speakers) - Not Eligible
• Spouses/partners -Not Eligible (Exceptions for spouses/partners may be made on a case-by-case scenario. Media are welcome to inquire further.)

ITINERARY (subject to change)

Wisconsin is nearly half covered in forests, home to 15,000 inland lakes and crisscrossed with 84,000 miles of rivers and streams. The natural spaces of the state aren’t just a playground for outdoor enthusiasts. They’ve inspired pioneering minds in conservation and wilderness preservation like Aldo Leopold, John Muir and Gaylord Nelson. Join this road trip to trace the legacy and modern practices of conservation in Wisconsin while enjoying the state’s natural spaces yourself.
Note: The trip outline provides the dates of the FAM and the destinations and experiences anticipated to be included. The exact timing and activities on the FAM itinerary are subject to change. Check back for updates.


Day 1 | Tuesday, Aug. 25
The trip will start by departing Madison for the Baraboo region north of the capital city. Defined by rocky outcroppings and rugged bluffs, the natural beauty of the region has influenced the past and present of global conservation efforts. Anchor activities for this day are anticipated to include:
• Visiting the Aldo Leopold Shack and Farm for a guided tour of the family retreat of the famed author and conservationist• Learning about modern conservation practices at the International Crane Foundation • Hiking the bluffs of Devil’s Lake State Park — Wisconsin’s most visited state park

Day 2 | Wednesday, Aug. 26
The second day of this trip will explore the lush forests and running waters of the Stevens Point area. Located centrally in Wisconsin, Stevens Point is a recreational playground for outdoor enthusiasts. The local college, UW-Stevens Point, is renowned for its College of Natural Resources, which prepares future leaders in conservation, sustainability and resource management. Anchor activities for this day are anticipated to include:
• Biking the Green Circle Trail — a community-led and -funded trail circling the area for 27 miles• Paddling the Wisconsin River and sloughs of the area• Visiting Central Waters Brewing Co. to learn about one of the most environmentally sustainable breweries in the nation

Day 3 | Thursday, Aug. 27
The third day of this trip will include a visit to the Horicon Marsh — North America’s largest freshwater cattail marsh and a critical stopping ground for the migration of Canada geese and ducks. Birders have documented more than 300 bird species at the marsh. The day will end with returning back to Madison. Anchor activities for this day are anticipated to include:
• A guided sightseeing tour of Horicon Marsh• Learning about modern efforts to protect and restore the jointly managed Horicon Marsh

Day 4 | Friday, Aug. 28
This trip concludes in Madison. Attendees may book departing flights from the Dane County Regional Airport (MSN) to their next destination for any time on this day.

Angling for Adventure in Wisconsin’s Driftless Region

DEADLINE TO REGISTER:  7/22/2026
Minimum Participants: 3
Maximum Participants: 5
Host: Travel Wisconsin
Primary Contact: Logan Wroge, [email protected]
Who can attend & Cost: 

• Active, Senior, and Life Members (media) - $0
• Supporting group members (non-media, partners, speakers) - Not Eligible
• Spouses/partners -Not Eligible (Exceptions for spouses/partners may be made on a case-by-case scenario. Media are welcome to inquire further.)

ITINERARY (subject to change)

Discover a dreamy escape in Wisconsin’s Driftless region. Untouched by the glaciers, this area is defined by rolling hills and valleys, natural trout streams and winding rivers, and lush forests and dark skies. The Washington Post named the Driftless region among its top 12 crowd-free, global destinations to visit in 2026. Join this road trip to discover the untold and under-told stories of outdoor recreation in the Driftless, from fly fishing some of the country’s best trout streams to paddling placid waterways and hiking fern-covered valleys.
Note: The trip outline provides the dates of the FAM and the destinations and experiences anticipated to be included. The exact timing and activities on the FAM itinerary are subject to change. Check back for updates.

Day 1 | Tuesday, Aug. 25
The trip begins by departing Madison for the Driftless region of southwest Wisconsin. This geological oddity of the Midwest was missed by the land-shaping powers of the glaciers during the last Ice Age. The absence of sediment deposits known as “glacial drift” gave the region its name — and its unique outdoor recreation opportunities. Anchor activities for this day are anticipated to include:
• Kayaking the winding bends and sandstone cliffs of the Kickapoo River • Visiting the Kickapoo Valley Reserve, a nature preserve of forested valleys and bluffs jointly managed between the State of Wisconsin and Ho-Chunk Nation

Day 2 | Wednesday, Aug. 26
The second day of the trip will explore the Viroqua area, centrally located in the heart of the Driftless. A thriving arts community, culinary scene and outdoor playground radiates from this city. The world-class trout streams of the Driftless, covering more than 13,000 miles, draw anglers from near and far to Viroqua. Anchor activities for this day are anticipated to include:
• Guided fly-fishing excursion to the area’s trout streams• Exploring the local flavors and leading culinary culture of the area

Day 3 | Thursday, Aug. 27
The third day of the trip explores the city of La Crosse on the banks of the Mississippi River. The most populous region in southwest Wisconsin, La Crosse weaves together urban conveniences with exceptional outdoor activities, from rock climbing and hiking to biking and fishing the Mighty Mississippi. Anchor activities for this day are anticipated to include:
• Visiting Grandad Bluff, a Wonder of Wisconsin, for views from this city-owned park rising 600 feet about the river valley• Opportunities to hike, fish, paddle or bike in the broader La Crosse region

Day 4 | Friday, Aug. 28
The final day of the trip will leave La Crosse for Madison at approximately 8 a.m. Attendees should book flights departing from the Dane County Regional Airport (MSN) at 12 p.m. CT or later.