On the northern edge of Appleton, the Gordon Bubolz Nature Preserve protects nearly 800 acres of forests, wetlands, and meadows along the Fox River. Hiking and cross-country ski trails wind through the property, and the nature centre at the entrance has exhibits on local ecology and wildlife.
White-tailed deer, wild turkeys, and red foxes are commonly seen on the trails. In winter, when snow covers the ground and the trails are groomed for skiing, the preserve takes on a different character entirely — quiet, blanketed, and surprisingly remote-feeling for a place minutes from a city centre.