DUKW Amphibious Vehicles on Duck Trail, Wisconsin Dells

DUKW amphibious vehicles, nicknamed "Ducks," were built by General Motors during World War II to haul troops and supplies from ship to shore across beaches. Wisconsin Dells adapted the surplus military vehicles into sightseeing tours starting in 1946, using the Wisconsin River and surrounding woodland trails to combine road and water travel in a single excursion. Several tour operators still run fleets of the six-wheel-drive vehicles through the area today, following marked routes like the one posted here. The DUKW's amphibious hull and low gear ratios, originally meant for military logistics, now serve a tourism industry that has operated continuously in the Dells for nearly 80 years.

Photo taken in July 2024.