Great Wisconsin Birding& NatureTrail Lake Superior Northwoods Region Welcome Welcome to Wisconsin where a wonderful world of wildlife watching awaits you. Environmental tourism has become an important part of our diverse mix of outdoor recreation. Extensive wetlands, millions of acres of wild places, a broad range of natural habitat, and a commitment to environmental stewardship have made Wisconsin an out- standing regional birding opportunity. More Contents than any other state in the Great Lakes basin, Introduction ______2 Wisconsin is positioned to promote and enjoy Using the Guide______3 this popular activity. Code of Ethics ______3 To that end, we have launched the Great Northwoods Region Map ______4-5 Wisconsin Birding and Nature Trail. This proj- Waypoint Index ______6-7 County Profiles ect divides the state into five wildlife-viewing Ashland County ______8-10 regions. Driving trails, linking important Barron County______11-13 wildlife sites within each region, are being Bayfield County ______14-19 developed. Over five years, the program will Burnett County ______20-23 Douglas County ______24-28 produce a series of birding guides to these Florence County ______29-31 regions – one each year. This is the first, a Forest County ______32-34 guide to the Lake Superior/Northwoods Iron County ______35-38 Region. Langlade County______39-41 We hope you enjoy it. Lincoln County ______42-44 Oneida County ______45-47 Polk County ______48-50 Price County ______51-53 Rusk County ______54-55 Jim Doyle, Governor Sawyer County ______56-58 Taylor County ______59-63 Vilas County ______63-66 Washburn County ______67-69 More Sources of Tourism Information______72
1 Wing your way Using the Guide Information for this guide was gathered locally from through Wild Wisconsin Wisconsin DNR and federal Forest Service personnel, from nat- uralists, birders, and a range of wildlife enthusiasts. Each site The Great Wisconsin Birding Guide and was nominated locally and evaluated as part of the regional Nature Trail is your invitation to observe the project. Site information includes a contact phone number, fascinating and diverse world of wildlife that driving directions, a small locator map, a description of the exists in every corner of the state. project, common and rare birds and wildlife, and a Web site if Over the next four years, available. Except as noted, admission to these properties is the Wisconsin DNR Endangered free. Hours are included, even though most properties are Resource Program will develop open 24/7. a series of five highway-based As you would expect, most of these waypoints are viewing guides, each remote, wild locations. While every effort has been made to provide accurate driving instructions, we recommend that you highlighting unique regional bring a county map or gazetteer to help in finding these sites. ecosystems of Wisconsin. Each Other prudent equipment would include a compass, flashlight, will link a set of waypoints, water, a granola bar, insect repellant, and a good pair of walk- refuges and wild places that ing/hiking shoes. offer the best birding and wildlife watching opportunities. This is the first of those five guides; the Lake Superior/Northwoods Birding and Nature Code of Ethics Trail. It covers Wisconsin’s eighteen northern The Great Wisconsin Birding and Nature Trail is your gateway counties. Opened in 2004, it includes 88 to the natural world of Wisconsin. The Code of Ethics serves to guide you as you seek your favorite waypoint sites across the waypoints from the twenty-one pristine Apostle state. Islands to the one million acres of the ● Treat birds and other animals with respect, never disturbing Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest. or collecting anything in their habitat. In 2005, the Mississippi/Chippewa Rivers Birding and Nature Trail will debut followed in ● Trails, roads and paths found at the sites provide good access to the property. Avoid leaving them unless you are in successive years by the Lake Michigan, Central a wilderness area. Sands Prairie and Southern ● Savanna Trails. Wisconsin has strict trespass laws. Private property does not have to be posted or fenced in Wisconsin. Ask permission if Waypoints on each trail will you want to enter private land. Know where you are – pay be marked with the program’s attention to posted property boundary signs. distinctive Sandhill Crane ● Dogs must be leashed on all state lands during the bird-nest- logo. As you travel, watch for ing season from April 15 through July 31. these signs – they are your ● Lead by example. Leave the property litter-free and in good invitation to the fascinating condition for the next traveler. world of Wisconsin wildlife. ● Give nature a voice. Thank the property owner, manager or staff person for the opportunity to enjoy nature at their site.
Top photo, Clay colored sparrow by Mike McDowell. Bottom, waypoint marker.
2 3 Great Wisconsin Birding& NatureTrail Lake Superior Northwoods Region
Bayfield r County Apostle erio 2 61 Pgs. 14-19 Islands up 13 ke S 53 Red Cliff La Port Wing Bayfield 12 Duluth Superior 11 16 10 La Pointe Ashland 30 County 27 Washburn Pgs. 8-10 Iron Poplar Odanah County MINNESOTA 25 Pgs. 35-38 29 14 15 45 Brule Ashland 40 Iron 2 3 53 River 2 M I C H I G A N Douglas BAYFIELD Hurley 35 DOUGLAS Ironwood County 27 Montreal 43 Pgs. 24-28 24 Solon 13 1 Vilas 26 Springs County Drummond 4 Mellen Pgs. 63-66 Gordon 27 45 2 ASHLAND IRON 41 28 Cable 17 79 Burnett Glidden Mercer Manitowish Clam Waters 2 Florence County 23 72 Lake 42 Land O' Lakes Minong 63 13 84 Lac County Pgs. 20-23 Manitowish 83 Boulder Jct. Vieux 19 77 Sawyer Turtle Flambeau 44 51 Desert Pgs. 29-31 77 Hayward Flowage 80 81 County VILAS Conover Danbury WASHBURN er Pgs. 56-58 63 Lac du 82 34 iv Trego 73 Chippewa 70 Flambeau 31 R BURNETT Flowage Woodruff 70 ix 21 87 Park Falls 139 o 22 70 Eagle 36 Florence r Webster Stone Lake SAWYER River 32 33 C Spooner St.Germain Hertel Fifield 65 Arbor . 20 Couderay Minocqua FLORENCE t 18 85 Winter r Vitae S 88 e 57 37 Oneida 70 v 64 PRICE Siren Ojibwa 71 i 55 Grantsburg 86 Radisson R Price Three County Niagara Shell 58 Lakes 61 Lake 53 County ONEIDA 32 Pgs. 45-47 35 Washburn Phillips Pembine Polk Pgs. 51-53 Rhinelander 8 63 5 6 County P County Luck FOREST es Pgs. 67-69 Rusk Heafford 8 Crandon ht Goodman Pgs. 48-50 54 igo Cumberland Flambeau Jct. Monico 35 9 County Laona POLK RUSK r 39 Forest 141 Rice Lake Pgs. 54-55 Prentice e 56 St. Croix Bruce 8 53 iv BARRON R 35 County Falls 59 7 67 51 Tomahawk Wabeno MARINETTE Barron Cameron 68 Ladysmith 66 Elcho Pgs. 32-34 8 38 LINCOLN 60 62 Amery Turtle Lake 69 Summit Lake 55 32 65 Taylor in 49 R 27 s 47 Townsend iv 77 75 n Lincoln e County o r Osceola 8 c 48 46 s 78 Pgs. 59-62 i 52 County Lakewood 76 13 51 Wo Barron W New Holcombe Pgs. 42-44 LANGLADE Crivitz County Merrill lf Richmond TAYLOR 74 Antigo Mountain Pgs. 11-13 Gilman 64 50 Polar R 64 Cornell i Medford 46 v e 64 Somerset ST. CROIX Bloomer r CHIPPEWA 45 Pound 63 39 MARATHON Langlage OCONTO Hudson DUNN Chippewa MENOMINEE Withee Wausau Aniwa County Knapp Falls Cadott Owen Abbotsford 141 St. Paul 94 29 Pgs. 39-41 Schofield Gillett River Menomonie MARATHON Birnamwood 61 Oconto Falls Eau Claire Unity Mosinee Rothschild Wittenberg 10 Prescott Elmwood Downsville Shawano Falls wa Ell h ippe Eld
4 5 Waypoint Index Page Page Ashland County Langlade County 1. Copper Falls State Park, Mellen______8 46. Ackley State Wildlife Area, Merrill ______39 2. Day Lake, Clam Lake ______9 47. Bogus Swamp State Natural Area, Summit Lake ______40 3. Fish Creek Slough, Ashland ______9 48. Peters Marsh State Wildlife Area, Antigo______40 4. Mineral Lake, Mellen ______10 49. Veterans County Park/Jack Lake, Summit Lake ______41 Barron County Lincoln County 5. Bear Lake Sedge Meadow State Natural Area, Haugen ______11 50. Council Grounds State Park, Merrill ______42 6. Hemlock Creek Segment – Ice Age Trail, Birchwood ______12 51. Hiawatha State Trail, Tomahawk (also Oneida Co.) ______43 7. Loon Lake State Wildife Area, Turtle Lake______12 52. New Wood State Wildlife Area, Merrill______43 8. New Auburn State Wildlife Area, New Auburn ______13 53. Treehaven Environmental Learning Center, Tomahawk ______44 9. Yellow River State Fishery Area, Cumberland ______13 Oneida County Bayfield County 54. Almon Bog Trails at Almon Park /Buck Lake, Rhinelander______45 10. Apostle Islands National Lakeshore, Bayfield ______15 55. Bearskin State Trail, Woodruff______46 11. Bark Bay Slough State Natural Area, Herbster ______16 56. Plum Creek Forest Resources Trail, Monico ______46 12. Big Bay State Park, La Pointe, Madeline Island ______16 57. Thunder Lake State Wildife Area, Three Lakes ______47 13. Marengo Overlook, Grand View/Clam Lake______17 58. Willow Flowage, Hazelhurst______47 14. Moquah Barrens Wildlife Area, Iron River ______17 Polk County 15. Northern Great Lakes Visitor Center, Ashland______18 59. D.D. Kennedy County Park, Balsam Lake ______48 16. Port Wing Boreal Forest State Natural Area, Port Wing______19 60. Interstate State Park, St. Croix Falls ______49 17. Rock Lake Trail, Cable/Clam Lake ______19 61. McKenzie Creek State Wildife Area, Clam Falls ______50 Burnett County 62. York Park, Amery ______50 18. Amsterdam Slough State Wildlife Area, Siren______20 Price County 19. Big Island Park, Danbury ______21 63. Blockhouse Lake/Flambeau Trails/Hay Creek, Park Falls ______51 20. Crex Meadows State Wildlife Area, Grantsburg ______21 64. Kimberly Clark State Wildlife Area, Fifield______52 21. Governor Knowles State Forest/Brant Brook Pines State Natural Area, 65. Popple Creek / Wilson Flowage & Riley Lake State Wildlife Area, Fifield 52 Grantsburg ______22 66. Timm’s Hill County Park, Westboro ______53 22. Kiezer State Wildilfe Area, Webster______22 23. Namekagon Barrens State Wildlife Area, Danbury ______23 Rusk County 67. Blue Hills/Moose Ear Creek, Weyerhauser ______54 Douglas County 67. Flambeau Mine Trail, Ladysmith ______55 24. Belden Swamp State Natural Area, Moose Junction ______24 69. Potato Creek State Wildlife Area, Weyerhauser ______55 25. Brule River State Forest, Brule ______25 26. Douglas County State Wildlife Area, Gordon & Solon Springs ______26 Sawyer County 27. Dwight’s Point & Pokegama Wetlands State Natural Area, Superior ____ 26 70. Chippewa Flowage, Hayward ______56 28. Gordon Dam Park, Gordon______27 71. Flambeau River State Forest______57 29. Pattison State Park, Superior ______27 72. Lynch Creek State Wildlife Area, Clam Lake ______57 30. Wisconsin Point, Superior ______28 73. Totagatic Lake State Wildlife Area, Sawyer ______58 Florence County Taylor County 31. Fox Maple Woods State Natural Area, Florence ______29 74. Chequamegon Waters Flowage, Medford ______59 32. Lost Lake Wilderness Area, Florence ______30 75. Kidrick Swamp, Westboro______60 33. Spread Eagle Barrens State Natural Area, Florence ______31 76. Mondeau Dam Recreation Area, Medford______60 34. Whisker Lake Wilderness Area (Fox Maple Woods SNA), Florence ______31 77. Pershing State Wildlife Area, Gilman ______61 78. Yellow River Ice-walled Lake Plain, Perkinstown ______62 Forest County 35. Ed’s Lake National Recreation Trail, Wabeno ______32 Vilas County 36. Franklin and Butternut Lakes Area, Eagle River ______33 79. Catherine Wolter Wilderness Area, Presque Isle______63 37. Giant White Pine Grove State Natural Area, Three Lakes ______33 80. Fallison Lake Nature Trail, Boulder Junction ______64 38. Knowles Creek Impoundment and Interpretive Trail, Wabeno______34 81. Lumberjack Trail/Escanabe Trail, Boulder Junction______64 39. Wabikon & Riley Lakes, Laona______34 82. Northern Highland-American Legion State Forest, Boulder Junction ____ 65 83. North Lakeland Discovery Center, Manitowish Waters ______66 Iron County 84. Powell Marsh State Wildlife Area, Manitowish Waters ______66 40. Carpenter Creek and Saxon Harbor, Hurley ______35 41. Lake Evelyn State Natural Area, Mercer ______36 Washburn County 42. Little Turtle Flowage, Mercer______36 85. Beaver Brook State Wildife Area, Spooner ______67 43. Penokee Iron Range/Gile Flowage, Hurley ______37 86. Hunt Hill Audubon Nature Center & Sanctuary, Sarona ______68 44. Turtle Flambeau Flowage Scenic Waters Area, Mercer ______37 87. Namekagon Visitor Center, Trego______69 45. Underwood Wildlife Area, Mercer ______38 88. Sawyer Creek State Fishery Area, Spooner______69
6 7 Ashland County 2 Day Lake Phone: 715/264-2511 This 100-acre US Forest Service camp- With just over 16 people per square mile, Ashland (US Forest Service) ground area flanks 625-acre Day Lake. County is one of the least-populated counties in Web site: www.fs.fed.us/r9/cnnf/ A variety of habitats, including floating northern Wisconsin. More than half of its 1,043 Rarities: Bald Eagle, Osprey. sphagnum-tamarack bogs, attract sea- square miles is either in the Chequamegon-Nicolet Admission Fee: Yes. sonal waterfowl, raptors, and National Forest, or the Bad River Indian Hours: 24/7. Northwoods’ mammals. Barrier-free Reservation. Accessibility: Yes. viewing platforms, two nesting struc- Signature Species: Waterfowl, The county seat, Ashland (population 8,695) is tures and shoreline hiking trails provide warblers. great opportunities to watch osprey the home of Timeless Timber (888/653-5647, Seasonality: Best in spring, www.timelesstimber.com), a uniquely Wisconsin summer & fall. and bald eagle. company that salvages, saws and sells 100-year-old logs from Nearest food & lodging: In Directions: From Clam Lake take Cty. Clam Lake, .5-miles southwest. the bottom of Lake Superior. Nearby, the South Shore M west .33 miles, past Cty. GG. Follow signs to the boat landing and day use Brewery (715/682-9199, www.southshorebrewery.com) offers area. Park in the paved lot near the pic- fun tours; call for times. Just west of town, the Northern Great Day GG nic area. Lakes Visitors Center (715/685-9983, www.northerngreat- Lake Amenities: Restrooms, drinking foun- lakescenter.org) was made for travelers offering trip planning, tain, gravel trails, viewing platform, hik- Day Lake an observation tower, video presentations, and cultural and his- M ing trails, picnicking, camping (66 sites), toric exhibits. boat landing, fishing, swimming beach. M Twelve miles west of Mellen you can visit Morgan Falls. Clam Notes: Bring your fishing gear; Day The falls drop 80-100 feet in an elegant cascade, diagonally tra- Lake Lake is loaded with small-to-medium 77 versing a dramatic 70 foot granite face. 77 T d o M Musky. r a elle w n y GG a H
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1 Copper Falls State Park 3 Fish Creek Slough Phone: 715/274-5123 This 2,700-acre state park is famous for (Wisconsin DNR) its 40-foot waterfall on the Bad River. Phone: 715/682-7071 A 700-acre slough close to Lake Web site: www.wiparks.net The park is mostly forested with north- (City of Ashland) Superior. Habitat includes marsh, Admission fee: State Park vehicle ern hardwoods, aspen and spruce/fir. Its Web site: www.visitashland.com admission sticker required. lagoon, edge areas, second growth river valleys, canyons, waterfalls, small Signature Species: Ducks, Hours: Park open 6am-11pm hardwood forest, and boreal forest that lakes and bogs attract seasonal water- twenty species of warblers, daily, all year. Office opens at 8am attract seasonal waterfowl, songbirds, shorebirds, wading birds, Tundra in the spring, summer and fall. fowl, songbirds, and raptors. Swan, Horned Grebe, Hudsonian and raptors. Accessibility: Partial, with one Directions: Two miles north of Mellen Godwit, Red-necked Phalarope, Directions: rustic cabin for use by disabled via Hwy. 169. Black Tern, and Yellow-headed Access the persons, some trail sections are Blackbird. accessible, beach is partially Amenities: 55 campsites, 13 with elec- slough from Rarities: Snowy Egret, Tricolored accessible, shower building is MIKE MCDOWELL tric hookup; restrooms, drinking foun- Heron, Little Gull, Bonaparte’s Prentice Park accessible. tain, showers, gravel trails, boardwalks, Gull. located on the Parking: Paved parking lots. concessions, swimming beach, hiking, Hours: 24/7. city’s west side Nearest food & lodging: In mountain biking & X-C ski trails. Accessibility: Fully accessible. Mellen, two miles south. via Hwy. 2. Notes: Early May is a great time to see Parking: Paved Parking lot. Amenities: numerous wildflowers in bloom. It is Camping (nine possible to hear howling wolf packs in n RV sites with r u Copper Falls b h T s o A State Park the wee morning hours. An elk herd a Lake Superior electric Bonaparte’s Gull. sh W la o nd has been established 20 miles SE of the T hookup, seven 13 Northern y 13 le park. The park includes several ur 16 9 Great Lakes H tent sites), restrooms, drinking foun- To CCC/WPA log structures, bridges and Visitor Center 2 tain, gravel trails, viewing platform, A shelters. Its trails were laid out and built 2 Bayview Beach, fishing pier, and stock- r 13 o 2 ri e by the veterans of WWI. p u Ashland ade. S o To Hurley T 137 Fish Creek Notes: The fenced deer yard is worth- Mellen 13 77 Slough
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8 9 Ashland County
4 Mineral Lake Barron County
Phone: 715/264-2511 (US Forest This 1,000-acre US Forest Service camp- Service) ground area flanks 225-acre Mineral The Dakota and Chippewa Indians valued the land Web site: Lake. Use a canoe to access several that is now Barron County for its clear shallow www.fs.fed.us/r9/cnnf/ small bays, where you can get up close lakes ringed with wild rice beds. European settlers Rarities: Bald Eagle, Loon, Wood to prime wildlife habitat. The water valued it for its timber resources. Turtle, Timber Wolf, Elk, Canada from Mineral Lake (the Brunsweiler Yew. Rice Lake (population 7,998) straddles the Admission fee: A parking River) spills over a falls, and then tum- beautiful Red Cedar River. It is the southern trail- permit is required at the boat bles through a very steep gorge with head of the Wild Rivers State Trail (715/635- landing: $3/daily or $10/annually. exposed cliff faces. Forest surrounding 4490, www.wiparks.net), a limestone-surfaced Hours: 24/7. and clinging to the rock faces is hem- railbed trail running north 40 miles to Solon Springs. Rice Lake is Parking: There is parking at the lock and northern white cedar. The rest also the home of the J.C. Bearpaw Co. (715/236-7300, boat landing for about 12 cars. of the uplands around this lake are Nearest food & lodging: mature hemlock/hardwood forest. Birds www.thebearpawcompany.com), a retail sporting goods store Mellen 8 miles east, or Clam with a truly fascinating collection of bird, fish and mammal Lake 13 miles south. found here include many interior forest birds such as the Black-throated Blue mounts from around the world. The Red Barn Theater Warbler, Winter Wren, Veery, Pileated (888/688-3770) presents a summer season of professional the- ater. 8 Woodpecker, Oven Bird, Hermit Thrush, 8 English 1
R F Lake Creat-Crested Flycatcher, N. Parula Just south of town, the Pioneer Village Museum MINERAL LAKE RD en Warbler and woodland raptors. To Mell (715/458-2841) is a recreation of a logging era town displaying
7 8 1 Directions: From Mellen, 8 miles west more than 400 items of historic interest. R GG Mineral F Lake on Cty. GG to Forest Road 187 (Mineral In Chetek, visit Time & Again Antique Mall (715-924- GG Lake Rd.). Turn right (north) on 187, 4000, www.wisconsinantiques.com/timeandagain) or surround F Mineral Lake R
1 8 then .2 miles to the boat landing. 4 yourself with luxury at Canoe Bay Resort (715-924-4594, e k a L Launch canoe or boat to access wild m www.canoebay.com). a l C
o and natural areas. T Amenities: Camping (12 sites), rest- rooms, drinking fountain, boat landing, fishing. Notes: A great place to see almost all species of northern Wisconsin 5 Bear Lake Sedge Meadow ferns, including rare ones. The gorge at the outlet is dramatic. Fish for musky in Mineral Lake and trout in the Brunsweiler River. A great State Natural Area place for spring wildflowers (May-early June): trout lily, dutchman’s This 250-acre sedge meadow wraps a breeches, trillium, and spring beauty. The Penokee Overlook between Phone: 608/266-7012 Mellen and Mineral Lake on Cty GG offers a spectacular view of this (Wisconsin DNR) large bay on the southern shore of Bear portion of the Gogebic range. Web site: www.dnr.state.wi.us/ Lake. The meadow is open with scat- org/land/er/ sna tered islands of bog birch, alder, black Signature Species: Swamp and spruce and Song Sparrow, Yellow Warbler, tamarack close Sora Rail, and Sedge Wren. Rarities: American Bittern, to the lake. LeConte’s Sparrow, Yellow Rail. Much of the MIKE MCDOWELL MOLLY ROSE TEUKE MOLLY Hours: 24/7. meadow is Nearest food & lodging: In dominated by Haugen, 1 mile east. marsh cinque- foil, cotton-
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n Bear e Lake r Dragon’s mouth Sora Rail. orchid, leather-leaf, bog-laurel, bog-
VV V rosemary and Labrador-tea are scat- Bear Lake Haugen tered throughout. Sedge Meadow V SNA Directions: From the intersection of 53 Cty. SS and V in Haugen, go west on V
T o R i 0.3 miles, then north and west on Cty. c e L a V k e VV 1.6 miles to a parking area south of the road.
Whitetail deer. 10 11 Barron County
6 Hemlock Creek Segment, Ice Age Trail 8 New Auburn State Wildlife Area This segment of the Ice Age Trail cross- This 1,176-acre site offers marsh and Phone: 715/537-6295 (Ice Age Phone: 715/537-5046 Park and Trail Foundation) es Pigeon Creek and passes through a (Wisconsin DNR) forest uplands that Web site: www.iceagetrail.org small stand of even-age aspen and Web site: are great for ducks, Signature Species: Great Blue birch before reaching a prairie, which www.dnr.state.wi.us/org/ deer, Ruffed Grouse, land/wildlife Heron, and Osprey. gives way to a stand of old-growth American Woodcock MIKE MCDOWELL Hours: 24/7; but closed during mixed hardwoods. The climax viewing and Sandhill Cranes. deer hunting season. T area is at a large beaver pond with an o New Auburn Directions: Located C h Nearest food & lodging: At e te Wildlife Area Osprey nest and Great Blue Heron rook- k Birchwood, 4 miles north. two miles north of
ery consisting of more than 75 nests. New Auburn on
T S The site offers some boardwalks.
H Hwy. SS - parking is
T 9 Directions: From Birchwood travel west 53 2 available on north on Hwy. 48 one mile, turn left on Loch and southeast parts Balsam Birchwood SS Lake Lomand Blvd. 2.5 miles to Finohorn of property. Killdeer.
48 MM T Road (note large Ice Age Trail sign) and continue for 100 yards. Park on the T New o B lo shoulder of the road. o Auburn m M e Notes: This site includes several signifi- r
48 cant glacial geological formations as Cedar well as a large beaver colony with
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La Segment,
k e Ice Age Trail 9 Yellow River State Fishery Area
Phone: 715/537-5046 This 708-acre site is a great place to (Wisconsin DNR) hike and enjoy berry picking, bird Web site: www.dnr.state.wi.us/ watching, 7 Loon Lake State Wildlife Area org/land/wildlife and trout Signature Species: American fishing. This 2,752-acre site is a good place for Bittern, Virginia Rail and Phone: 715/537-5046 Forested MIKE MCDOWELL numerous sparrow species. (Wisconsin DNR) the novice birder. A variety of habitat Rarities: The Snowy Owl visits upland, Web site: www.dnr.state.wi.us/ including occasionally in winter. swamp and org/land/wildlife forest, wet- creek bot- lands and toms make
r MIKE MCDOWELL Loon Lake e n this great
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T area attrac- deer, rab- 63 R i tive to v Virginia Rail. e Beaver Dam r bits, and Ruffed Lake Cumberland Ruffed Grouse. To Rice Lake Crystal Grouse, 48 Lake To Turtle Lake Directions: Located 5 miles east of American Cumberland via Hwy. 48. Parking is Loon Lake Woodcock, Loon d Wildlife Area Grasshopper Sparrow. Yellow River available on Hwy. 48, on 20th Avenue Lake Sandhill Fishery Area on the south end of the property, and To Cumberlan Cranes and Bald Eagles. on the access road at the end of 13th Amenities: Hiking trails. 63 Street. Echo Directions: Located 5.5 miles north of Lake Turtle Lake via Hwy. 63, turn left (west) ke a L
e l on 2-3/4 & 3-3/4 Streets. Follow this t r Upper
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12 13 Bayfield County 10 Apostle Islands National Lakeshore
Bayfield County is the kind of place travelers Phone: 715/779-3397 (National Scattered over 750 square miles of Lake dream about, from the picturesque Apostle Islands Park Service) Superior coastal waters, the National to the solitude of the Chequamegon-Nicolet Web site: www.nps.gov/apis Lakeshore includes 21 of the 22 National Forest. Signature Species: Piping Apostle Islands, (69,372 acres), plus a The City of Bayfield is the gateway to the Plover. 12-mile stretch of mainland shoreline Rarities: Sub-arctic plants like Apostle Islands National Lakeshore (715/779- on Lake Superior’s south shore. Habitat butterwort and bird’s-eye is northern hemlock/hardwood forest, 3397, www.nps.gov/apis). The largest of the primrose. boreal forest, beaches, dunes, bogs, islands, Madeline Island, is the home of Big Bay Hours: The headquarters visitor center is open May-Oct, 8am- lagoons, and sandstone cliffs of Lake State Park (715/747-6425, www.wiparks.net) and 5pm daily; Nov-Apr, 8am-4:30pm Superior. The islands provide nesting the Madeline Island Historical Museum (866/944-7483, Mon-Fri. The Little Sand Bay habitat for more than 150 bird species www.wisconsinhistory.org/sites/madisle). The Madeline Island visitor center is open daily June- Sep. and serve as a rest stop for more than Ferry (715/747-2051, www.madferry.com) services the big Seasonality: Spring, summer & 250 bird species during spring and fall island. The Apostle Islands Cruise Service (800/323-7619, fall. The islands are only migrations. www.apostleisland.com) offers excursions to many of the islands accessible by boat. Excursions Directions: The Headquarters visitor operate from Bayfield May-Oct. and their lighthouses. Public docks are found on 13 of center is located one block north of You can also visit the Bayfield Maritime Museum the islands. Boat & Kayak launch State Highway 13 in Bayfield at 415 (715/779-9919, www.bayfield.org), Hauser’s Bayfield Winery facilities in Bayfield and Little Washington Ave. The Little Sand Bay Sand Bay. visitor center is located in the park’s (717/779-5404, www.bayfieldwine.com), or enjoy a summer Accessibility: Mainland visitor performance at Big Top Chautauqua (888/244-8368, centers are fully accessible. mainland unit 13 miles north of Bayfield, off Cty. K. www.bigtop.org). Nearest food & lodging: In In southern Bayfield County, the Cable area welcomes visi- Bayfield. Amenities: Primitive camping on the tors with the Cable Natural History Museum (715/798-3890, islands.
www.cablemuseum.org). If you like biking, the CAMBA Bike Devil's North Island Twin Trails (800/533-7454, www.cambatrails.org) map 300 miles of Lake Island Superior mountain and road bike trails in the area. South Outer Rocky Twin Island Island Island Cat Bear Island Island
Otter Ironwood York Island Island Island Raspberry Sand Island Apostle Islands National Lakeshore Island Little Sand Bay Manitou Island Visitor Center TOURISM PHOTO FILE Oak Stockton Island Island
K K erior Michigan To Sup Hermit Island Island 13 Basswood Apostle Islands Island National Lakeshore Headquarters
Bayfield Madeline
F Island E R R Y Big Bay State Park T
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Notes: The islands have six historic light stations, (guided tours avail- able June-Sep). The headquarters visitor center is located in the old Bayfield County Courthouse, a National Register building. Stockton Island supports one of the densest populations of black bears in the country. The islands’ sea caves are spectacular in any season. Restrictions: Colonial nesting areas on Eagle, Gull, and Otter islands are closed seasonally. Bald Eagle nesting areas are also closed season- Apostle Islands National Lakeshore. ally.
14 15 Bayfield County
11 Bark Bay Slough State Natural Area 13 Marengo Overlook
Phone: 608/266-7012 A 552-acre shore fen and open bog Phone: 715/634-4821 This 4-mile section of the North (Wisconsin DNR) with sand spit, lagoon, springs and (US Forest Service) Country Trail winds through the Web site: www.dnr.state.wi.us/ wetlands along a bay between two Web site: www.fs.fed.us/r9/cnnf Marengo Semi-Primitive, Non-motor- org/land/er/sna/ rocky headlands of the Lake Superior Hours: 24/7. ized Area (2,400 acres). The trail has Signature Species: Bald Eagle, coast. Nearest food & lodging: At difficult sections with some steep Northern Harrier, Yellow Rail, and Directions: From Herbster go east 3.5 Clam Lake, 10 miles southeast. slopes. This northern mesic hardwood American Bittern. The US Forest Service operates Hours: 24/7. miles on Hwy. 13, then north on Bark small campgrounds nearby at forest is home to thrushes, vireos, war- Nearest food & lodging: In Bay Road 0.5 miles to a boat landing Beaver Lake (10 sites, 3 miles blers, woodpeckers, flycatchers, and Herbster, 3 miles west. and parking lot on the east side of the away) and Lake Three (8 sites, 6 woodland raptors. road. The best access to the sand spit miles away). Directions: From Grand View travel and bog is by canoe. south on Cty. D 3 miles to Forest Road Bark Bay 377, turn east (left) on 377 and travel 4 Lake Slough SNA Notes: The small village of Cornucopia Superior should be a stop as you travel the area. miles to Forest Road 202, turn south S BARK BAY L O U D G Check the shoreline for interesting (right) on 202, the trailhead is 1.5 miles R H T R IN D on the left with a graveled parking lot O birds. Stop where the Siskiwit River P T FR 377 K o R G A T r for 3-4 cars. o B a B ayfield empties into Lake Superior to look for n
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v
i e Marengo
FR 202 13 Red-Throated Loons. A small park on w Notes: A rock outcrop along the trail, Overlook Herbster Hwy 13 offers free spring water from a provides a spectacular view of the To Superior well tap to the public - bring your own Marengo River Gorge (1,000 feet jug. deep). There is excellent trout fishing in D the Marengo River.
12 Big Bay State Park 14 Moquah Barrens Wildlife Area Phone: 715-779-3346 Located on Madeline Island, the largest (Wisconsin DNR) of 22 Apostle Islands, this 2,418-acre The area is a former barrens that is Web site: www.wiparks.net park sports rugged wooded cliffs with Phone: 715/373-2667 (US Forest Service) now forested. The vegetation is a mix Signature Species: Common dramatic views of Lake Superior. It con- of open, upland jack pine barrens, red Loon, Merlin, Broad-Winged Web site: www.fs.fed.us/r9/cnnf tains a State Signature Species: Sharp-tailed pine savanna, and mixed pine/oak for- Hawk, Pileated Woodpecker. Natural Area Rarities: Peregrine Falcon. Grouse (the spring dancing est. There are several sandy-bottomed that is open for season is tops). Admission fee: State Park vehicle lakes at the southwest edge of the Rarities: The site is well known entry fee. use by the pub- ANDY KRAUSHAAR area. The area, well known for its blue- for its open grassland bird Hours: 6am-11pm. lic. Habitats berries, is managed with prescribed fire, include bogs, species. Seasonality: Spring, summer & Hours: 24/7. and has a superb late summer wild- fall. barrier beach, Nearest food & lodging: In Iron flower bloom. Accessibility: Fully accessible boreal forest River, 5 miles southwest. The Directions: This 5,000-acre refuge is campsites and picnic areas, and old growth Forest Service operates 3 area boardwalks. located 16 miles west of Ashland in the hemlock. campgrounds: Wanoka Lake (5 Nearest food & lodging: In La miles), Birch Grove (7 miles) and Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest. Pointe, 4 miles west. Directions: walk-in only Bladder Lake (1 From Ashland, travel 13 miles west on Take car ferry mile). Hwy. 2 to the junction of Forest Road from Bayfield to 236 in the small town of Ino. Turn right La Pointe on (north) on FR 236 and travel about 5 Madeline Moquah miles north to the junction of FR 242. Barrens Lake F Island. Follow R Wildlife Area This is the southeast corner of the 2 Basswood Superior Big Bay State Park. 2 3 24 6 signs 4 miles to R Island F wildlife area. Another mile north on FR 19 FR 238 the park. Paved parking lot. 4 13 FR 236 brings you to the south edge of Amenities: Flush toilets, drinking foun- the Moquah Natural Area, the nation’s Madeline Bayfield Island H tain, boardwalks, viewing platform, visi- first Research Natural Area (marked
F E tors center, gift shop, 60 campsites. with a sign). Numerous roads through R R 37 Y 2 FR F Activities: Camping, swimming, bik- R the barrens, can be traveled by car. 2 3 H 6 La Pointe Big Bay ing, naturalist program, canoeing, fish- G Notes: The site has a wolf pack and State Park ing, X-C skiing. T o Ino black bears. Sup To Ashland er 2 ior
16 17 Bayfield County
15 Northern Great Lakes Visitor Center 16 Port Wing Boreal Forest State Natural Area
Phone: 715/685-9983 A 37,000 sq. ft, $7 million facility with Phone: 608/266-7012 This natural area features two units of (US Forest Service) an observation tower, viewing platform, (Wisconsin DNR) northern dry-mesic forest on sand spits Web site: www.northerngreat 100-seat theater, interpretive and his- Web site: www.dnr.state.wi.us/ inland from the Lake Superior shoreline. lakescenter.org toric exhibits, and regional visitor infor- org/land/er/sna/ The forest has large white and red Signature Species: Migratory mation & trip planning for Wisconsin, Signature Species: Loons and pines that form a super-canopy over raptors, Bald Eagle, and spring Bald Eagles. Minnesota & Michigan’s UP. The warblers. Center staff can Rarities: Black meadowhawk white spruce, balsam fir, red maple, recommend other area birding Center’s dragonfly and bog copper white birch, mountain maple, yellow spots. 180-acre site butterfly. birch and white cedar. The ground layer Hours: 9am-5pm daily. is comprised Hours: 24/7. contains blueberries, large-leaved aster, Accessibility: Center is fully of lowland Nearest food & lodging: In Port and several club-mosses. Between the accessible, as is the 2/3-mile TOURISM PHOTO FILE Wing one mile east or west. boardwalk trail system. cedar and forested sand spit and beach to the Nearest food & lodging: In black ash, north is a sedge meadow, shrub Ashland, 3 miles east. open fields, swamp, and bog. The wetland area is upland an extension of the estuary of the Flag aspen, pine, River, which separates the two units. Northern Great Lakes Visitor Center. Lake n spruce and r u Superior Directions: For the eastern unit, from b h s a Lake Superior balsam. An accessible 2/3-mile board- W Port Wing Port Wing travel east 1.6 miles on Hwy. o ld T ie Boreal Forest f Port Wing y walk trail system with two loops winds a SNA East B 13, turn west 0.2 miles on Lakeview Boreal Forest o Northern y T 13 le ur through the cedar and tamarack wet- SNA West BIG PETE RD 13 Great Lakes H To Road, then north on Big Pete Road Visitor Center 2 lands. The Center property is adjacent about 0.5 mile to Lake Superior. For the Y RD R LAKEVIEW A R 2 to the Whittlesey Creek National A r 13 U western unit, from Port Wing travel o Q 2 ri e p u Ashland Wildlife Refuge. S north 0.6 miles on Washington Ave, o T 13 137 Directions: Located 3 miles west of To Superior Port Wing 13 turn west 1 mile on Quarry Road, then Ashland on Hwy. 2. T A north on Point Road 0.25 miles to the
o 112 M
e
ll Amenities: Restrooms, drinking foun- parking area.
e n tain, gift shop, boardwalks.
17 Rock Lake Trail & Non-motorized Area DALE THOMAS Phone: 715/634-4821 Rock Lake Trail is a hilly hiking and (US Forest Service) mountain biking trail that winds Web site: www.fs.fed.us/r9/cnnf through 2,000 acres of mature north- Rarities: Large, round-leaved ern mesic and orchid. dry mesic for- Signature Species: Loons on est with some isolated lakes. MIKE MCDOWELL Admission fee: Parking fee for large white the lot on Cty M is $3/day or pine. Portions $10/year. Golden Age Passport of the trail applies. skirt several Hours: 24/7. small remote Nearest food & lodging: In lakes. Birds Cable, 7 miles west. found in these habitats include: Scarlet Tanager. Namekagon Scarlet
D Lake
R Tanager, Pileated Woodpecker,
M
A D Twin Common Raven, Eastern Wood Lakes Peewee, Black-throated Green Warbler, M To Cable and Pine Warbler.
To Cla Hidden m Lake Directions: Located 7 miles east of Lake Cable on Cty. M. Parking for 25 cars in D R Rock Lake Rock E K Trail a graveled lot. Lake A L LAND Boardwalk trail system at Northern Great Lakes Visitor Center. T Amenities: Restrooms. LOS
18 19 Burnett County 19 Big Island Park
Burnett County is a wonderful study in recreational Signature Species: Osprey, Bald This park is one square mile and diversity. Glacial lakes pock the eastern half of the Eagle, Common Mergansers, includes forest, wetlands, streams and county near Webb Lake; prime vacation area with Canada Geese and owls. rivers. Hours: Daylight hours. Directions: fishing and water sports for everyone. Nearest food & lodging: In Highway 35 bisects the county from Siren in the Danbury, six miles southwest. Located six South to Danbury in the north. The Gandy Seasonality: Best in sping, miles north- summer and fall. east of Dancer State Trail (800/788-3164, www.bur- TOURISM PHOTO FILE nettcounty.com), a 98-mile railbed trail from St. Danbury
where Hwy
r o
Croix Falls to Superior, parallels the highway. A i r
e 35 meets the
p
u S
highlight is the 520-foot bridge over the scenic St. Croix River o
T St. Croix River. just north of Danbury. On the Yellow River five miles south of Big Island Park Paved parking Danbury, you can visit Forts Folle Avoine (715/866-8890, lot. R www.theforts.org), an historic reconstruction of an 1800’s fur iver Amenities: trading outpost and Indian village. The complex includes an St. Croix Restrooms, indoor museum and interpretive center. SPRINGBROOK TR drinking foun-
ury 35 Canada Geese. Prairie landscapes and picturesque wetlands distinguish the nb tain, foot Da western half of the county. North of Grantsburg, the 30,000- To trails. acre Crex Meadows Wildlife Area (715/463-2739, Restrictions: Pets must be on a leash. www.crexmeadows.org) is the state’s largest remnant of the Northern Wisconsin Pine Barrens. The western edge of the county is defined by the scenic St. Croix River. The 20,000-acre Governor Knowles State Forest (715/463-2898, 20 Crex Meadows State Wildlife Area www.wiparks.net) flanks the river in a narrow band only a mile wide, but about 50 miles long. Phone: 715/463-2896 A 30,000-acre wildlife area featuring (Wisconsin DNR) restored wetlands and upland brush Web site: www.dnr.state.wi.us/ prairie habitats with oak/jack pine org/land/wildlife forests interspersed. The property Signature Species: Sharp-tailed includes 6,000 acres of open water. Grouse, Trumpeter Swans, Osprey 18 Amsterdam Sloughs State Wildlife Area and Bald Eagles. 270 species of birds use the property Rarities: Tricolored Heron and along with every mammal found in Phone: 715/349-2151 (Wisconsin Amsterdam Slough is a beautiful 6,138- White Ibis. Wisconsin and a good variety of rep- DNR) acre property with marsh, flowages, Hours: The visitors’ center is open tiles, amphibians and invertebrates. The Web site: www.dnr.state.wi.us/ swamp, and forested upland. Bird daily 10am-4pm (except major property supports breeding populations org/land/wildlife watching is good at Black Brook holidays). The property is open of Osprey, Bald Eagles, Trumpeter Signature Species: Herons and 24/7/365. Flowage where Accessibility: Handicapped- Swans, Karner blue butterflies and Ospreys. you can see Blanding’s turtles. In the fall migration, Nearest food & lodging: In accessible wildflower trail and Siren, five miles southeast. Great Blue duck blinds. The visitors’ center as many as 50 Bald Eagles, 7,000 Herons, Osprey MIKE MCDOWELL and grounds are also accessible. Sandhill Cranes and 12,000 Canada and Bald Eagles. Nearest food & lodging: In and Snow Geese fly into the area. Grantsburg, a mile south of the Directions: visitors’ center. Directions: The Crex Meadows Visitors D From Siren, Center is located at the corner of coun- drive north on ty roads D and F just north of To Danbury To Hwy. 35 two Grantsburg. The property spreads north Amsterdam Sloughs 35 State Wildlife Area miles to Cty. D F and east, covering 30,000 acres. A turn left on D Crex Meadows paved parking lot is located at the visi- Fish 70 To S Green Heron. Lake 70 pooner three miles – tors center, with grass parking areas D 35 the sloughs are on your left (south). scattered throughout the property. Big Doctor Crooked Notes: This large complex of habitats is Amenities: Restrooms, drinking foun- Lake Lake a good place to see American Grantsburg tain, gravel trails, boardwalks, viewing g ur Siren innesota sb Woodcocks in the spring, and furbear- To M To Siren platform, visitors center and gift shop. nt 70 ra 70 70 G o lls
T a
ers such as bear, mink and coyotes. F Restrictions: Dogs must be leashed
ix o r 48
t. C t. during nesting season. A 2,400-acre
S o T refuge is off-limits to entry at all times.
20 21 Burnett County
21 Governor Knowles State Forest/ 23 Namekagon Barrens State Wildlife Area
Brant Brook Pines State Natural Area Phone: 715/635-2101 One of the largest pine barrens in the (Wisconsin DNR) state (5,200 acres) with some prairie A 190-acre stand of old growth red Phone: 715/463-2898 Web site: www.dnr.state.wi.us/ and savanna, a few pockets of wet- (Wisconsin DNR) pines along the St. Croix River estimat- org/land/wildlife lands and a small Web site: www.dnr.state.wi.us/ ed to have originated in the mid-1890s. Signature Species: Sharp-tailed lake. Among the org/land/er/sna/ The area includes many fine trout grouse. scattered pines Rarities: Black and White Warbler, streams as well as the St. Croix National Rarities: Upland Sandpipers and and Yellow-throated Vireo. are long stretches MIKE MCDOWELL Scenic Riverway. Brewer’s Blackbird. Hours: 24/7. Seasonality: Spring, summer and of prairie. The Nearest food & lodging: In Directions: Brant Brook Pines State fall, with fewer viewing property is known Grantsburg, 6 miles southeast. Natural Area is located within Gov. opportunities in winter. for Sharp-tailed Knowles State Forest. From Grantsburg, Nearest food & lodging: In Grouse, Upland Danbury, 10 miles southwest. go north on Cty. F 3.7 miles, then west Sandpipers, on Bloom Road 2 miles, then north on American Kestrels, Gile Road 0.75 mile to the Brant Brook Eastern Bluebirds Eastern Bluebird. Pines Ski Trail parking area at the right- and Bald Eagles. angle corner. Follow the trail northwest Directions: The Namekagon Barrens lie
into the site. r
o Namekagon Barrens in two lobes. To get to the southern
i r
e Wildlife Area
Activities: Camping, swimming, bik- p
u S
Northern Unit unit, drive north 5 miles from Danbury o ing, hiking and fishing in Governor T Brant Brook Pines ST. CROIX TR on Hwy 35, then east 4.5 miles on SNA Knowles State Forest.
iver Spring Brook Tr. To get to the northern
D R
R
MINNESOTA E Notes: The St. Croix River, which forms 35
L
I lobe unit from the southern unit, head BLOOM RD x River on G i ag Cro amek roix part of the Wisconsin/Minnesota bor- St. N River C F north 2 miles on Namekagon Tr., then 1 St. der, is a National Scenic Riverway; an mile east on St. Croix Tr. You can park SPRINGBROOK TR ury area of lush vegetation and moving nb Da at a small lookout site or off side of the
g To
r u
b water that represents a diversity of Namekagon Barrens s
t roads. This property is leased from
n Wildlife Area a r habitat stretching 252 river miles Southern Unit
G Burnett County.
o T through a narrow corridor of wild land. Amenities: Lookout post.
22 Kiezer State Wildlife Area DAVID HERRICK DAVID Phone: 715/685-2101 Kiezer is 1,352 acres of water, marsh Web site: www.dnr.state.wi.us/ and forested uplands with waterfowl, org/land/wildlife Ruffed Grouse, deer, American Signature Species: Bald Eagles Woodcock, snowshoe hares, Bald and Great Blue Herons. Eagles and Seasonality: Best in spring and Osprey. You can fall. Nearest food & lodging: In also fish Banach Webster, 4 miles west. Lake and Big MIKE MCDOWELL Lake. Directions: Located 6 miles
Johnson east of Webster
y r
u Lake Kiezer b
n on Cty. Rd. A, 4
a Wildlife D
o Area T miles east of Hwy. 35. You’ll Devil's 35 find a parking Lake Red-winged Blackbird. A area as well as logging roads throughout the property. Nearby attractions: Forts Folle Avoine Webster Historical Park is 7 miles west on Cty. U.
X
n e
ir Fall color along the Namekagon River.
S
o T
22 23 Douglas County 25 Brule River State Forest
Douglas County’s unspoiled landscape beckons Phone: 715/372-8539 At 50,000 acres, this state forest is with 431 lakes and the state tallest waterfall, 165- (Wisconsin DNR) used by more species of birds and foot Big Manitou Falls in Pattison Sate Park Web site: www.dnr.state.wi.us/ mammals than any other northern org/land Wisconsin acreage (715/399-3111, www.wiparks.net), only a 12-mile GPS: 46.5372N 91.5928W drive south of Superior. of similar size. Its Signature Species: The area has habitat includes Superior is the county’s largest city (population consistently produced northern 27,134) and the county seat. With its sister city raptors and Saw-whet Owls, high-quality stream, MIKE MCDOWELL northern songbirds such as the a mixture of boreal Duluth, it is Lake Superior’s busiest port. You can Cape May Warbler, Canada and plantation cruise the harbor aboard Vista Fleet Harbor Warbler, and Connecticut Warbler, as well as Black-backed forests, and some Cruises (218/722-6218, www.vistafleet.com). On Barker’s Woodpeckers. pine barrens on the Island, you can tour the S.S. Meteor Museum (715/394-5712, Seasonality: Good for migrants south end of the www.superiorpublicmuseums.org), the last remaining whale- in spring and fall, breeding birds property. This var- Cape May Warbler. back freighter on the Great Lakes. Built in 1891 for local lumber in summer, and finches and ied landscape supports deer, Ruffed songbirds in winter, but viewing baron Martin Pattison, Fairlawn Mansion (715/394-5712, opportunities may be limited. Grouse, geese, Bald Eagles, Osprey and www.superiorpublicmuseums.org) is a 42-room Victorian jewel Nearest food & lodging: In songbirds. It also offers wonderful that today is the city’s museum. On Harborview Parkway, visit Brule, two miles north. camping, canoeing and trout fishing. the Richard I. Bong World War II Heritage Center (888/816- Directions: From Brule, drive west 0.5 9944, www.bongheritagecentere.org). It honors WWII “Ace of mile on Hwy. 2 to South Ranger Road. To S upe rior r M Turn south 2 miles to state forest head- Aces” and Medal of Honor recipient Maj. Richard Bong of near- e iv 2 R Brule quarters at 6250 S. Ranger Rd. You’ll by Poplar, Wisconsin. erior To Sup find a parking area at the ranger sta- In eastern Douglas County, the Brule River State Forest 2 Brule River tion and at entry points to the river. (715/372-5678, www.wiparks.net) is famous for its canoeing, State Forest kayaking and trout fishing. Caution: Roads may be hazardous e l after spring melt or heavy snows. u 27 r B Activities: Camping, swimming, fish- ing, kayaking, canoeing, hiking. s oi B Amenities: Restrooms and drinking B fountain are located at the ranger sta- 24 27 Belden Swamp State Natural Area tion. Phone: 608/266-7012 (Wisconsin Belden Swamp is a 1,862-acre wetland DNR) complex owned by Douglas County. It Web site: www.dnr.state.wi.us/ is located between two major water- org/land/er/sna/ sheds. This land mass forms the head-
Signature Species: LeConte’s PHILIP OLSON Sparrow, Yellow-bellied Flycatcher, waters of the Spruce River which flows and Northern Harrier. south to the Rarities: A Timber Wolf pack. Mississippi, and Hours: 24/7. the Black River. Seasonality: Best in spring, The area fea- MIKE MCDOWELL summer & fall. tures the largest remain-
T ing undisturbed o S u p e Belden r open bog in io Swamp r SNA Wisconsin. A large area of muskeg gives Yellow-bellied Flycatcher. 35 this area it’s distinctive northern feel and the conifer swamp add to the beauty of this large wetland. Moose Directions: From the intersection of Junction To US 53 M Hwy 35 & M in Moose Junction, drive MOOSE RD north 5 miles on Hwy. 35 to a parking area west of the road.
Canoeing the Bois Brule River.
24 25 Douglas County
26 Douglas County State Wildlife Area 28 Gordon Dam Park Phone: 715/378-2219 The park is 80 acres. The Gordon Dam Phone: 715/395-6912 This 4,000-acre property is managed (National Park Service) marks the entrance to the pristine St. Web site: www.dnr.state.wi.us/ for Sharp-tailed Grouse. It is a pine bar- Web site: www.nps.gov Croix National Scenic Riverway. Its org/land/wildlife rens habitat with several small, shallow Signature Species: Trumpeter flowage and Signature species: Sharp-tailed lakes and wetlands. Swan, Osprey, Bald Eagle, rails, marshes provide Grouse. Directions: From grebes, vireos, and Common excellent habitat for Hours: 24/7. Loons. Solon Springs, trav- aquatic and terres- MIKE MCDOWELL Seasonality: Best in spring, Rarities: Trumpeter Swans. summer & fall. el south 4 miles on Hours: 24/7. trial Northwoods’ Accessibility: The Club House Hwy. 53; then turn RJ & LINDA MILLER Seasonality: Spring, summer & wildlife including and rest rooms are handicap west on Cty. M. fall. Hwy. Y may be impassable in white-tailed deer, accessible. The site begins winter. bear, bobcat, snow- Nearest food & lodging: In immediately west Nearest food & lodging: In shoe hare, coyote, Solon Springs, 5 miles north. of highway 53, and Solon Springs, 10 miles northeast. red fox, timber is both north and wolf, fisher, mink, south of County M. otter and beaver. Tundra Swan. Parking is available T Directions: From Gordon travel west 7 o
r S o M u i Sharp-tailed grouse. r at the Club House. p e e miles on Cty. Y. The park and dam are p r i u Solon o S Gordon Dam r A o T Springs Amenities: Clubhouse (can be rented) Park on the west end of the St. Croix with restrooms, and gravel trails. 53 Flowage. There is a gravel and paved St. Croix 53 Flowage parking area. Notes: The U.S. Chicken Championship Gordon St. Croix dog trials are held here each year – one Y Amenities: Restrooms, drinking foun- of the oldest dog trials in North tain, gravel trails, viewing platform, and River America. The clubhouse was built for 53 visitors center. Douglas County
T
T that event. There are horseback riding o
State Wildlife Area o Activities: Camping, swimming, bik-
S
p G Barden
o
o
o r Lake
d trails on the property. The North
n
o ing, and hiking.
e
n r M County Scenic Trail will soon pass Restrictions: Pets must be on leash. through the property.
27 Dwight’s Point & Pokegama Wetlands 29 Pattison State Park
State Natural Area Phone: 715/399-3111 The park encompasses 1,476 acres of (Wisconsin DNR) forested land – mostly balsam fir, birch, Phone: 608/266-7012 This 3,153-acre wetland lies at the con- Web site: www.wiparks.net (Wisconsin DNR) fluence of the Pokegama & St. Louis aspen and spruce – wetlands, a lake Admission: Vehicle admission Web site: www.dnr.state.wi.us/ and rivers. It’s features include: Rivers on the west side of Superior. It sticker required. org/land/er/sna Wisconsin’s highest waterfall, Big includes boreal forest, emergent marsh, Hours: Park is open daily 6am- Signature Species: Bald Eagle. and wet clay flats supporting shrub 11pm, year round. Manitou Falls, at 165 feet, a 300-foot Hours: 24/7. swamp and wet meadow. The St. Louis Accessibility: The trail to Big beach on Interfalls Lake, and Little Nearest food & lodging: In estuary, with its steep-sided ridges and Manitou Falls is partly accessible; Manitou Falls, a 31-foot twin waterfall. Superior. boreal forest mix, is prime habitat for the park also has accessible picnic There are 62 campsites and 9 miles of areas, restrooms and campsites. hiking trails. Bald Eagles. Nearest food & lodging: In Directions: This site is located within Superior, 12 miles north. Directions: Located 12 miles south of Superior on Hw. 35. Paved parking lots 35 the Superior Municipal Forest. From the Duluth 535
61 r
o in the main park area, at Big Manitou i
intersection of Hwys. 2 & 35 in r
53 e
p u
T S Falls and Little Manitou Falls. o 2 B E Superior, go south on 35 (Tower o a St. Louis Bay u la T C c la k ir Amenities: Restrooms, drinking foun- e 2 BUS Avenue) 1 mile, then west on 28th R iv 35 53 e Pattison r tain, gravel trails, boardwalks, scenic Superior Street about 1.75 miles until it becomes State Park BELNAP ST Billings Drive. Access is from any num- Big overlooks, visitors center, gift shop, To Ashland Manitou ber of points along Billings Drive; you’ll Falls equipment loans. find numerous parking areas. Several B B Activities: Camping, swimming, bik- TOWER AVE Little 28TH ST Manitou hiking, biking, and ski trails wind Falls ing, hiking, fishing and canoeing. 35 Dwight's Point & y through the site. The natural area is r u Restrictions: Pets on leash. Pokegama Wetlands b n a SNA D also accessible by water. o T
26 27 30 Wisconsin Point Florence County Phone: 715/394-0270 The largest freshwater sand spit (3.5 (City of Superior) miles) in Wisconsin, the point forms Tucked into the far northeastern corner of the state, Web site: www.uncommondays. sheltered Allouez Bay and the St. Louis Florence County is about as wild and natural as com/states/wi/places/wisconsin River Estuary on Lake Superior. It con- Wisconsin gets. With a countywide population of point.htm tains stands of old growth pine, beach just 5,088 people (just over ten per square mile), GPS: N46 41.853 W091 59.951 Rarities: In the spring and fall, dune communities and marsh open Florence County is largely unpopulated. Jaguers and rare Sabine’s and water habitats. It is an important rest Nearly half the county’s Franklin’s Gulls visit the area. stop for many migratory birds. Most natural charm is preserved in Hours: 24/7. species of shorebirds are seen during national and county forests. Seasonality: Best during the migration, as are many uncommon
spring and fall migrations. The 7,400-acre Spread Eagle TOURISM PHOTO FILE songbirds and raptors that rest on the Barrens State Natural Area is a birder’s Accessibility: A paved road runs point before continuing their journey. the length of the point. paradise. The Pine, Popple and Peshtigo Nearest food & lodging: In Directions: As you enter Superior on Rivers are gems for whitewater canoeists. Superior, 4 miles southwest. Hwy. 2/53 turn east about 1.5 miles on Moccasin Mike Road, then northwest These exceptional wilderness components Lake Superior on Wisconsin Point Road. There are a combine each autumn to produce one of Superior Wisconsin’s best fall color opportunities. Wisconsin number of parking areas in the 2.5-
T Point o The Wild Rivers Interpretive Center D W miles to the end of the point. u IS lu CO th N S IN (888/889-0049,
PO Notes: The point also harbors several IN T 2 RD uncommon dragonflies, the black www.florencewisconsin.com) tells the story 53 meadowhawk, and Boreal snaketail. of this unique corner of Wisconsin. Its dio- Allouez Franklin’s ground squirrels also live on ramas, murals and interactive exhibits tell T o E a Trillium. u C the point, but are not commonly seen. the story of the county’s natural history. la MOCCASIN MIKE RD ir e a n d The beach can yield nice specimens of Stop at the center for driving directions, birding tips and tourism A s la n d Lake superior agates. information.
31 Fox Maple Woods State Natural Area
Phone: 608/266-7012 An outstanding 41-acre northern mesic (WisconsinDNR) TOURISM PHOTO FILE forest surrounded on three sides by the Web site: www.dnr.state.wi.us/ Whisker Lake Wilderness Area. Canopy org/land/er/sna trees include old-growth sugar maple, Signature Species: Warblers and basswood, many types of northern songbirds, hawks and owls. hemlock, and Hours: 24/7. yellow birch. Seasonality: Best in spring, Herbaceous MIKE MCDOWELL summer, fall. plants are Nearest food & lodging: In very rich and Florence, ten miles east. cover the for- est in abun- dant spring k e e r ephemerals C Whisker Boot
y Lake such as
e Lake
l Black-capped Chickadee. i R spring-beauty, yellow trout-lily and Dutchman’s breeches. Exceptional in undisturbed FR 2150 Riley Camp Thirteen Lake Lake areas. Fox Maple Woods SNA W Directions: From Florence travel 10.5 a k ef ie miles west on Hwy. 70 to a parking l d 70 To Florence area north of the road, (1.1 miles west C r e ek of where Hwy. 70 crosses Wakefield Wisconsin Point Lighthouse. Creek).
28 29 Florence County
32 Lost Lake 33 Spread Eagle Barrens State Natural Area
Phone: 715/479-2827 Situated on a beautiful, clear lake and Phone: 888/889-0049 A 7,400-acre, state-owned barrens; an (US Forest Service) surrounded by old-growth forest, this (Wild Rivers Interpretive Center) area of undulating terrain with many Web site: www.fs.fed.us/r9/cnnf 1,000-acre site is ideal for the bird- Web site: small, clear lakes. Managed by fire, the Signature Species: Blue-headed watcher. Trails, including the “Assessors www.florencewisconsin.com/wric barrens are interrupted with patches of www.dnr.state.wi.us/org/land/er/ Vireo, Pine Warbler, Black and Trail” - an historic interpretive trail, lead mixed hardwood and conifer. The Pine White Warbler, and Blackburnian sna Warbler. around the lake and through majestic Signature Species: Northern River, a state-designated wild river, Rarities: Boreal Chickadee, Bald hemlock and maple/birch hardwood Harrier, Upland Sandpipers, splits the acreage. There are many dirt Eagle, Nashville Warbler, and forest. The lake edge is a good place to Warbling Vireo. roads, ample gravel parking, and good Osprey. see and hear Great Blue Heron, loons Seasonality: Best in spring, access. summer and fall; secondary roads Admission: Fee to camp; if you and ducks. Lost Lake is a Nicolet Directions: The heart of the barrens is don’t camp, parking fee is $3/day are not plowed in winter. or $10 annual. National Forest Breeding Bird Survey Nearest food & lodging: In about 8 miles southeast of Florence. Seasonality: Best in spring and site. Florence, 8 miles northwest. (For a map, stop at the Wild Rivers summer. Directions: From Florence travel west Interpretive Center in Florence at the Accessibility: Partial - one loop of 17 miles on Hwy. 70, then south on Florence corner of Hwys. 2 and 70/101.) You the interpretive trail is wheelchair Forest Road 2450 one mile, then south- can access the northern portion of the accessible. east on Chipmunk Rapids Road one barrens by traveling east of Florence on Nearest food & lodging: In Florence, 20 miles east. mile, then east and south 2 miles on 2 141 Hwys. 2/141, turn south on Condroski C To Spread Ea
O
Forest Road 2156 (Halsey Lake Road) to N Road (2 miles east of Florence), or on D gle
R
O
S Ellwood Lake Road (7 miles east of
70 Lost Lake. Access the campground on K To Florence I Cosgrove
R FR 3774. Access the Organizational N D Lake Florence). You can access the southern
FR 2450 D Camp complex on the south side of the ead portion of the barrens by traveling man CHIPMUNK lake. Gravel parking lot for 6 cars at the C south of Florence 7 miles on Cty. N, re Spread Eagle ek “Assessors Trail.” Barrens then east on Fire Lane Road. RAPIDS Amenities: 16-site campground at Lost
Lost Lake R
O Lake (open May 1-Oct 20), as well as A D cabins that can be rented mid-May thru Lost mid-October (contact the Eagle River Lake Grub Hoe office of the Forest Service). Restrooms, Lake drinking fountain, gravel trails. 34 Whisker Lake Wilderness Area (Fox Maple Woods State Natural Area)
Phone: 715/479-2827 or A 7,500-acre federally designated 715/528-4464 (US Forest Service) wilderness heavily forested with several Web site: www.fs.fed.us/r9/cnnf
CHARLES COOK streams and seven beautiful lakes. Rarities: White-winged Crossbill Some Black Spruce and alder swamp, and Pine Grosbeaks in winter, hardwoods, big White and Red Pine, Boreal Chickadees year-round. aspen, and wetland. This area is walk-in camping only; no motorized or mecha- nized vehicles are allowed. It is a place
k e e of true natural solitude. r
C Whisker
y Directions: Located 11 miles west of e Lake
Whisker Lake l i
Wilderness Area R Florence on Hwy 70, the tract borders Hwy. 70 and Forest Road 2150. Several graveled parking areas. FR 2150 Riley Camp Thirteen Lake Lake Notes: This is a true wilderness area.
W Be prepared; bring a compass. Access a ke fi via three different trails that all lead to e l d or pass lakes. To Florence 70 C r e ek Restrictions: No motorized or mecha- nized vehicles.
LaSalle Falls in Florence County.
30 31 Forest County 36 Franklin & Butternut Lakes Area
Forest County and its near neighbors are aptly Phone: 715/479-2827 A wonderful 1,000-acre site for the named, for they encompass 650,000 acres of the (US Forest Service) hiker/birder. A 13-mile loop of trail Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest. Fully 75% of Web site: www.fs.fed.us/r9/cnnf winds around a number of beautiful Signature species: Bald Eagles. and remote lakes. A one-mile interpre- the county is national forestland, home to some of Rarities: Red-shouldered Hawk. tive nature trail (brochures available on Wisconsin’s finest wilderness. With a total of Admission: Parking fee sticker site) takes you through a 400-year-old 10,024, the county population is just under ten required at the trailhead - $3/daily hemlock and pine forest. A boardwalk or $10/annually. crosses an open bog. Birds in these for- people per square mile. Hours: 24/7. Campground open The Forest County Potawatomi Museum May- Oct. est communities include: Woodpeckers, and Cultural Center (715-478-7474, www.fcpotawatomi.com) Accessibility: A short loop at the Wood Pewee, Winter Wren, in Crandon offers visitors four beginning of the nature trail is Blackburnian Warbler, Cape May accessible by wheelchair. main sections to tour: the Warbler, and Ovenbird. Waterfowl on Nearest food & lodging: In and near the lake include Loon, Great History of the Potawatomi, an Eagle River, 12 miles west. Blue Heron, Mallard, Spotted interactive language exhibit, a THOMAS ACTON JR. e Sandpiper, and Willow Flycatcher. nc re lo display of different traditional F To Directions: From Eagle River travel east elements, and a display of the Anvil 70 7.5 miles on Hwy. 70, turn south 2.5 heritage of the present day Lake miles on Forest Road 2178 (Military tribe. Just east of Crandon, at Franklin To Eagle Franklin & Lake Road), then east on Butternut Lake F M River R Butternut I Laona, you can travel back in L 2 I 1 T Road (FR 2181) to the parking area at 7 Lakes Area A 8 R time at the Lumberjack Y Upper the Franklin Nature Trail trailhead. You’ll Special Steam Train & Ninemile RD find a parking lot for about 10 cars. R D Lake E K Butternut LA Camp Five Museum UT Lake Amenities: Restrooms, drinking foun- RN Chipmunk. TTE Complex (800/774-3414, BU tain, gravel trails, boardwalks. www.camp5museum.org). This authentic 19th century logging camp, farm and store also offers fun steam train rides, pontoon & surrey rides, an animal corral and nature center. 37 Giant White Pine Grove State Natural Area
Phone: 608/266-7012 One of the best examples of mature, 35 Ed’s Lake National Recreation Trail (Wisconsin DNR) northern mesic forest in northeastern Web site: www.dnr.state.wi.us/ Wisconsin. Located in the Forest org/land/er/sna Phone: 715/674-4481 Enjoy six miles of hiking/skiing trail that Service’s Headwaters Wilderness Area, Signature species: Blackburnian (US Forest Service) the forest canopy of this 30-acre site follows several early 1900’s railroad and Black-throated Blue Warblers, Web site: www.fs.fed.us/r9/cnnf grades through a variety of forest Pileated Woodpeckers. contains large Rarities: Loons on Ed’s Lake. types. The property’s 200 acres are hilly, Rarities: Winter Wren, Evening hemlock, sugar Hours: 24/7. rolling topography through Grosbeak, porcupine, snowshoe maple, yellow Nearest food & lodging: In hemlock/hardwood forest that has hare, black bear and bobcat. birch, and bass- MIKE MCDOWELL Crandon, 8 miles west; or Hours: 24/7. wood. Huge white Wabeno, 8 miles east. some scattered super-canopy white Seasonality: Best in spring, pines, some more pine, and spruce/tamarack/heath bog. summer & fall. than 3’ in diame- Birds common to these communities Nearest food & lodging: In include: Blackburnian Warbler, Blue- Three Lakes, 12 miles west. ter, tower above headed Vireo, Ovenbird, Hermit Thrush, the forest.
T o Black-throated Green Warbler, Pileated Directions: From C r a Eds n Barred Owl. d o Woodpecker, Brown Creeper, Winter Three Lakes travel n Lake Wren, and Scarlet Tanager. Giant east 4.7 miles on Hwy. 32; then 0.6 W White Pine Lost Directions: From Crandon travel south- Grove SNA mile east on Julia Lake Road; then Lake east about 8 miles on Cty. W. Look for To Three Lakes Julia south and east 3.1 miles on Scott Lake JULIA Lake Road (FR 2183); then northeast 1.6 Ed's Lake Roberts a large sign on the north side of the Trail 32 LAKE 4 Lake 1 RD miles on Giant Pine Road (FR2414) to a road. You’ll find a graveled parking RD 24 E R N Whitefish F PI T N parking area west of the road. A hiking area for about 12 cars. Lake IA G Amenities: Adirondack-style shelter at trail loops around a wetland and Ed’s lake. through the site.
32 33 Forest County
38 Knowles Creek Impoundment Iron County & Interpretive Trail Long and narrow north-to-south, Iron County is blessed with a wealth of natural resources. From
Phone: 715/473-2602 This 170-acre wetland impoundment is 1850-1950, the northern half (US Forest Service) a favorite with wildlife viewers. Open of the county was a center of Web site: www.fs.fed.us/r9/cnnf water, marsh, old fields and forests iron ore mining; remnants of Hours: 24/7. combine to attract many species includ- those deep-tunnel mines can RJ & LINDA MILLER Accessible: Yes. ing owls, hawks, eagles, loons, and still be seen. Today the area is waterfowl. Enjoy a 0.75-mile hiking trail. perhaps best known for its waterfalls. The county’s fifteen waterfalls Otter Directions: From Wabeno travel east To Wabeno Lake about 7 miles on Cty. C, turn south on include Superior Falls, which drop 90-feet
C Knowles Creek Road (FR 2349). Watch into the Montreal River near its mouth on
D R for Knowles Creek Impoundment signs Lake Superior, and picturesque Potato River and follow them to the graveled park- K E Falls, which drops a terraced 90-feet into E
R C k ing area and trailhead. ee Cr the Potato River southwest of Gurney. For
S Knowles
E L Creek Trail a map of the county’s falls, call 715/561-
W
O s
N e l K w 2922, or visit www.ironcountywi.com. o Downy Woodpecker. n K In the southern half of the county, the attraction is the Turtle-Flambeau Flowage (715/769-3680, www.turtleflambeauflowage.com). With 19,000 acres of water and 212 miles of wilderness shoreline, the flowage is perfect for 39 Wabikon & Riley Lakes fishing, boating, canoeing and wildlife observation. The Turtle- Flambeau encompasses nine lakes, three rivers and several Phone: 715/674-4481 Search for aquatic birds and shy forest creeks, all beautifully free of pollution. There are 60 remote (US Forest Service) birds by canoe. A large peninsula on campsites accessible by water only. A map with the campsite Web site: www.fs.fed.us/r9/cnnf the west shore offers access to a nearly locations is available by contacting the Mercer Ranger Station at Signature species: Yellow-bellied pure stand of old growth hemlock. 715/476-2240. Flycatcher, Osprey. Aquatic birds include Wood Duck, Black Rarities: Nashville Warbler. tern, Loon, Osprey, and Great Blue Hours: 24/7. Heron. Birds in the hemlock forest Nearest food & lodging: In Crandon, 6 miles west. include the Nashville Warbler, Golden- crowned Kinglet, N. Parula Warbler, Oven Bird, Canada Warbler, Brown 40 Carpenter Creek/Saxon Harbor Creeper, Myrtle Warbler, and Red- This quiet road is seldom used and the breasted Grosbeak. There is a well- Phone: 715/561-2922 (Iron County) traveler has many opportunities to park developed emergent aquatic plant com- along the roadside and walk quietly munity on this shallow lake, largely of Web site: www.ironcountywi.com Hours: 24/7. looking at the woodlands, ferns and wild rice. A stream on the south end Nearest food & lodging: In wild flowers along the way. Many leads to Riley Lake, an undeveloped, Hurley, 15 miles west. species of northern birds such as shallow lake. From there you can pad- thrushes, warblers, hawks and wood- dle the Indian River on the south end peckers are numerous and easy to spot. upstream to Indian Springs, another Lake Deer and bears may be seen in the marsh community with spring ponds. Superior To Crandon Carpenter Creek/ early morning or late afternoons as Directions: This 1,000-acre site is best Saxon Harbor 8 they cross the road. At Saxon Harbor, I TR To Laona A OM 32 accessed by canoe. From Crandon trav- AT W Loons and Bald Eagles are common and TA PO el east 5.5 miles on Hwy. 8/32, turn sunsets are spectacular. Wabikon & R Wabikon D south 0.2 mile on Potowatomi Tr. to the Riley Lakes R Lake O Directions: From Saxon in northern B R boat landing on the south side of the A Little Riley H Iron County travel west 4.5 miles on Indian Lake road. You’ll find a small, graveled park- Hwy 2, then turn north on Harbor Drive Lake To As ing area. hla nd and continue to Saxon Harbor on Lake Notes: Fish for brook trout on the 2 Superior. Carpenter Creek runs along T o Hu Indian River and in the springs. 169 rle y and is crossed by Harbor Drive.
34 35 Iron County
41 Lake Evelyn State Natural Area 43 Penokee Iron Range/Gile Flowage
Phone: 608/266-7012 This 300-acre site contains Lake Evelyn, Phone: 715/456-2240 Iron county was named for the “red (Wisconsin DNR) a soft-water seepage lake surrounded (Mercer DNR) gold” iron ore that was mined in the Web site: www.dnr.state.wi.us/ by wetlands and gently rolling forested Hours: 24/7. rugged Penokee Iron Range from the org/land/er/sna uplands of white and red pine, and Nearest Food & Lodging: In 1880s until the 1960s. The most Signature species: Osprey. aspen. The 55-acre lake has an unde- Hurley, 3 miles east. famous mine in the range was the Hours: 24/7. veloped shoreline and wilderness char- Montreal Iron Mine – the deepest iron Nearest food & lodging: In ore mine in the world. Montreal is a Mercer, 12 miles south. acter perfect for birding. It forms the headwaters of Evelyn Creek, a tributary true “company town” where many of
y of the Turtle River. A floating leather- the houses mirror each other in design.
e
l
r u
W H Urban birds are found in these small
o leaf bog rings the lake on the north,
B T A S S while the southwestern portion con- towns. The Gile Flowage is a 3,384- LAKE RD 51 tains a conifer swamp. acre flowage. Waterfowl, Loons and T o A MICHIGAN sh lan Bald Eagles can be found in the Underwood Directions: From Mercer travel north 9 d State Wildlife Area Ironwood flowage where they nest, feed and rest miles on Hwy. 51 to Cty. G, then east 2
4.5 miles; then north on Bass Lake M during migration. Lake o
n
t
Evelyn r
e G Road, and immediately west on an a Directions: From Hurley travel west G Hurley l
T Pine o access lane 0.1 mile to a boat landing. about 3 miles on Hwy. 77 through Gile Penokee Iron Range/ M Lake e
r Gile Flowage c to Montreal where you turn left on e Park along the road. r 77 R iver Kokogan and then right onto Giles Falls Gile 51 Street. Proceed on street to the over-
a
u q look of the falls. A bridge crosses the c Montreal o n i
M top of the falls and can be accessed by Gile o Flowage T foot. Park in the paved lot. 42 Little Turtle Flowage
Phone: 715/476-2828 A 640-acre marshland surrounded by (Wisconsin DNR) grassland (big bluestem prairie - quite a 44 Turtle-Flambeau Flowage Web site: www.turtleflambeau rarity in the Northwoods) and edged by flowage.com forest. Scenic Waters Area Signature species: Trumpeter Directions: From Swans, Bald Eagles, Osprey, and This 14,000-acre flowage offers more Sandhill Cranes. Mercer travel Phone: 715/476-2646 (Wisconsin DNR) Seasonality: Best is spring, northwest about than 180 miles of white pine and birch
summer & fall. MIKE MCDOWELL Web site: www.turtleflambeau shoreline, as well as hundreds of small one mile on Hwy. flowage.com Nearest food & lodging: In 51, turn south on islands. A truly wild area of forest, wet- Mercer, about 3 miles away. Signature species: Common land and river. Cty. FF about 1 Loon, Bald Eagle, Merlin, Double- mile, then south crested Cormorant, whitetail deer Directions: To H url and beaver. ey again on Popko From Mercer Circle Rd. about 1 Rarities: Black Tern, Merlin travel 1.3 miles 51 Mercer (nests), timber wolves. FF mile to Joe’s Shack north on Hwy. MIKE MCDOWELL D To Hours: 24/7. M inocqua Road. Take this 51, then one CLE R Nearest food & lodging: In CIR mile south on O road to the parking Mercer, 5 miles northwest, which
PK
PO lot (bear right at prides itself as the “Loon Capital.” Cty. FF, then Turtle e ttl one mile to Li Little Turtle the fork just before Sandhill Crane. Flowage Little Turtle Flowage the lot); you’ll find Popko Circle.
To Hu Drive 1.4 miles gravel parking for about 30 cars. rley River to Joe’s Shack 51 T Black Tern (immature). o M er cer Road, branch- Turtle FF ing left for 0.8 miles to the Little Turtle Flowage Wildlife Area. FF Turtle Flambeau Flowage/Scenic Amenities: Restrooms, drinking foun- Waters Area tain, and gravel trails. Turtle
e tl it L
36 37 Iron County
45 Underwood State Wildlife Area Langlade County
Phone: 715/456-2240 A 1,602-acre site with forested uplands Langlade County is a near perfect mix of woods (Wisconsin DNR) and cedar swamp. The northern border and water. Laced with more than 700 wilderness Web site: www.dnr.state.wi.us/ of this property is the State of lakes, 400miles of Class I trout streams, and the org/land/wildlife Michigan. fabulous whitewater of the Wolf River, it’s a place Signature species: Ruffed Directions: Grouse, Bald Eagles. for kayaks and fly rods. From Mercer Rarities: Snowshoe hares. Antigo is the county seat and the home of Nearest food & lodging: In travel north 9 JEFF MILLLER Mercer, 16 miles south. miles on Hwy. Mepps fishing lures; tours of the plant and a dis- 51; turn east play of all 4,000 Mepps models are offered at 3.7 miles on
y Sheldon’s, Inc. (715/623-2382, www.mepps.com).
e
l
r u W
H Cty. G. then
o On the eastern side of the county, the pristine Wolf River
B T A S S north 3 miles LAKE RD traverses the county north-to-south. The river is a powerful 51 on Bass Lake Road. Park magnet that annually draws thousands of whitewater rafters, Underwood canoeists and kayakers. Several outfitters in the White Lake area State Wildlife Area along the roadway. rent all the gear necessary for a day of adventure on the river. Lake Evelyn Just east of White Lake, Bear Paw Outdoor Adventure G G
T Pine o Resort (715/882-3502, www.bearpawoutdoors.com) offers a
M Lake e
r c e Red-winged Blackbird. unique mix of sport shop, equipment rental, instruction, accom- r modations and restaurant. You can mix canoeing, kayaking, mountain biking, X-C skiing, snowshoeing, trout fishing and outdoor skills workshops in a variety of seasonal getaways.
RJ & LINDA MILLER 46 Ackley State Wildlife Area
Phone: 715/536-4502 This 1,158-acre state-owned site is (Wisconsin DNR) located next to 20,000 acres of county Web site: land. The property is managed with fire www.dnr.wi.us/org/land/wildlife so it’s mainly grasslands with scattered Hours: 24/7. ponds. This property is managed for Nearest food & lodging: In Sharp-tailed Grouse. It is also a good Antigo, 11 miles west. place to see grassland birds including Clay-colored and Henslow’s Sparrows. Yellow-headed Blackbirds use the cattail marshes for nesting and there are numerous species of ducks nesting there.
To Merrill To Antigo Directions: From Antigo, travel west 64 11 miles on Hwy. 64. The property is on both sides of the highway. You’ll find Ackley State Wildlife Area parking lots throughout the property.
Potato River Falls.
38 39 Langlade County
47 Bogus Swamp State Natural Area 49 Veterans County Park & Jack Lake
Phone: 608/266-7012 This 870-acre site owned by Langlade Phone: 715/623-6214 A county park on Jack Lake. Waterfowl (Wisconsin DNR) County is a combination of open wet- Web site: www.co.langlade.wi.us/ can be found on the lake in the spring, Web site: www.dnr.state.wi.us/ land types. The major feature is the Hours: Open daily; camping from summer and fall. The pine and hard- org/land/er/sna broad muskeg of stunted tamarack and May 1-Dec 1. wood forests are excellent places to Signature species: Palm Warbler, black spruce over a ground cover of Accessibility: One campsite is find northern birds like Golden- Lincoln’s Sparrow, Northern accessible, as are the fishing pier crowned Kinglets, Northern Harrier, American Bittern. sphagnum mosses, sedges, and bog and beach. Rarities: Rare plants include livid shrubs. Along Nearest Food and Lodging: In Waterthrushes and Winter Wrens. sedge, hair-like sedge, and the northern Antigo, 15 miles south. Coyotes, red foxes, beaver and porcu- northern bog sedge. boundary flows pine are often seen in the area.
Hours: 24/7. an intermittent, MIKE MCDOWELL Directions: From Antigo travel 13 miles Nearest food & lodging: In mineral-rich Summit Lake, 4 miles north. north on Hwy. 45, turn east on Cty. J stream lined ICE AGE about 2 miles and follow the signs to with emergent the park entrance. Paved parking area. aquatic plants SCENIC TRAIL Amenities: The park offers 41 camp- and sedge J Jack Lake sites (31 electrical & 10 non-electrical), Summit Summit meadow. South 45 Lake Lake picnic tables, a swimming beach, fish- of this zone is 47 Veterans County Park ing, mountain biking trails, cross coun-
D an unusual Jack Lake A 45 try skiing and hiking. There is an
O
R Palm Warbler. o
47 g “patterned i t Greater Bass n arboretum with a well-marked, self-
A
o
Lake bog”, one of only two well-developed T T guided trail and a section of the Ice o
Deep Wood A n examples of this type in Wisconsin. t i Lake g Age National Scenic Trail. Bogus Swamp o SNA Directions: From Summit Lake travel
T
S
E R southwest 4 miles on Forest Road to O F Bogus Swamp the western boundary of the site. Park along the road and walk east to the wetland. JAMES CHURCHILL
48 Peters Marsh State Wildlife Area
Phone: 715/536-4502 (Wisconsin This 1,700-acre tract contains small DNR) ponds, marshland, grasslands and Web site: www.dnr.state.wi.us/ upland hardwood forest. It is an inter- org/land/wildlife esting mix of habitats that are attractive Hours: 24/7. to many mammals and birds. This is an Nearest Food & Lodging: In Antigo, 8 miles southwest. excellent place to find American Woodcock in the early spring. Sandhill Cranes nest here and congregate in the E E IC AG fall. Hawks and a variety of owls can be found here, including the Northern
A Peters Marsh Saw-whet Owl. State Wildlife Area Directions: From Antigo travel north about 3 miles on Hwy 45 to its junction
S CE with Cty. A. Follow Cty. A northeast NI Peters C Lake TRA about 3 miles to a parking area. There IL are three parking areas on the property.
o ig t n A o T
Bobcat in winter.
40 41 Lincoln County 51 Hiawatha State Trail
The Wisconsin River flows through Lincoln County, Phone: 715/453-5334 A state-owned, crushed-stone nearly bisecting it into equal halves. Abundant (Tomahawk Chamber of hiking/biking trail built on a former rail- water resources web the northern half of the Commerce) road bed. The trail runs north six miles county with Lake Nokomis, Lake Mohawksin, and Web site: to the Lincoln/Oneida County line on www.gototomahawk.com the south side the Spirit River Flowage all contributing to the Hours: 24/7. Wisconsin River system. The city of Tomahawk of Lake Nearest food & lodging: In Nakomis. The anchors the area – a natural vacation destination Tomahawk. trail is a scenic MIKE MCDOWELL for boaters and anglers. On display at the local
a walk, offering Lake u Nokom q is c chamber of commerce office is a world record-set- o
in much wildlife.
M
o
ting Black Bear and Muskellunge. Nearby, the Tomahawk Area T 8 Directions: The Historical Center (715/453-2056, www.gototomahawk.com) 8 trail begins at
displays local history in a log cabin museum and 1880’s school- A SARA Park in house. Hiawatha Tomahawk; State Trail To the south, Merrill straddles the scenic Wisconsin River. 51 parking is avail- Rose-breasted Grosbeak. Enjoy a walking tour of the city’s historic home district. The A able.
T Lincoln County Courthouse displays many local historical o Amenities: Gravel trails, boardwalks,
M
e n r si r R on i i viewing platform, wildlife viewing. exhibits, as does the nearby Merrill Historical Museum sc l v Tomahawk W i l er (715/536-5652, www.ci.merrill.wi.us). West of town, Council Grounds State Park (715/536-8773, www.wiparks.net), tucked into a sweeping curve of the Wisconsin River, is a favorite of water enthusiasts. 52 New Wood State Wildlife Area
Phone: 715/536-4502 This 1,600-acre cedar swamp and (Wisconsin DNR) forested upland holds deer, Ruffed 50 Council Grounds State Park Web site: www.dnr.state.wi.us/ Grouse, snowshoe hare, and timber org/land/wildlife wolves. The area is ideal for hiking and Hours: 24/7. bird watching. Hawks, Bald Eagles and Phone: 715/536-8773 A 508-acre park adjacent to the Wisconsin River. The park offers 55 Amenities: A section of the Ice a variety of thrushes and warblers can (Wisconsin DNR) Age Trail runs through this state- Web site: www.wiparks.net camp sites, a nature center, restrooms, owned property. be found here. The New Wood River Rarities: An occasional bear can showers, swim- runs through the northeastern side of be seen in the park as well as ming, a boat the property. This attracts a variety of white-tailed deer and red fox. launch, fishing, JEFF PETERS wildlife from furbearers to many species Admission: A daily or annual biking and hik- of birds. Look for Le Conte’s Sparrows, state park vehicle admission sticker is required. ing. Sedge Wrens, Alder Flycatchers, and Hours: 6am-11pm. Directions: Sandhill Cranes. Accessibility: Accessible Located two To Hwy 107 Directions: From Merrill travel north 11 campsite, shelter buildings and miles west of Wood miles on Hwy. 107, turn west 5.5 miles restrooms. New Merrill on Hwy. er E and then south 2 miles on Cty E, turn Nearest food & lodging: In Riv Merrill, 2 miles east. 107, turn west on Conservation Avenue 3 miles south on to the center of the property. You’ll find
Council CONSERVATION AVE graveled parking areas. Hwy 107 fol-
107 Grounds Dr. to lows the Wisconsin River and there are the park at New Wood several dams with impoundments on State Wildlife Area N1895 Council Black bear cub. this stretch of the road that make for
107 Grounds Dr. interesting stops to look for birds. W i sc Park entrance is well signed with sever- on s Merrill in 64 al parking areas. 107 64 River Amenities: Restrooms, drinking foun- K tain, gravel trails.
u
Council Grounds a s Restrictions: From Nov-April, cars and
u
State Park a
W
o trucks are barred from the majority of
T the park. Pets must be on a leash.
42 43 Lincoln County
53 Treehaven Environmental Oneida County Learning Center When you look at a map of Oneida County, you’ll swear there’s more water than land. With 1,100 A 1,400-acre forest reserve operated by Phone: 715/453-4106 lakes, it’s easy to understand why Oneida County UW-Stevens Point. It is an excellent (UW-Stevens Point) has been one of Wisconsin’s top vacation destina- Web site: www.uwsp.edu/ example of northern Wisconsin wood- cnr/treehaven land with aspen, birch, pine, hardwood tions for more than 100 years. GPS: 45 29.967N; 89 32.989W and fir. Two cold-water streams and In the northwestern part of the county, the Signature species: Northern two beaver ponds, with several old greater Minocqua area is synonymous with family warblers, nesting Osprey, hawks, fun. Tour the beautiful Willow Flowage aboard a and Sandhill Cranes bogs and swamps, are accessible via Rarities: The Northern Shrike in ten miles of maintained grass trails. sightseeing or dinner excursion offered by winter. Treehaven’s public facilities include Wilderness Cruises (800/472-1516, Nearest food & lodging: Food classroom/meeting space, dining and www.wildernesscuises.com). Take the kids to Peck’s Wildwood service is available at Treehaven lodging, snowshoe rental, and viewing Wildlife Park & Nature Center (715/356-5588, www.peck- year-round; lodging is offered windows for bird watchers. from mid-August to mid-May. swildwood.com) where they can pet a porcupine, feed a deer, Off-property food and Directions: From Tomahawk, travel and see hundreds of other woodland creatures. Sheer’s accommodations in Tomahawk, 7 east 7 miles on Cty. A to Pickerel Creek miles west. Lumberjack Shows (715/634-6923, www.sheerslumberjack- Road, then south to Treehaven at show.com) features exciting competition in log rolling, chop- W2540 Pickerel Creek Road. ping, sawing and climbing. In the evening, enjoy a performance Amenities: Restrooms, food service, at the Northern Lights Playhouse (715/356-7173, drinking fountain, viewing platform, www.northernlightsplayhouse.com). visitors center, gift shop, equipment loans. In the southeast, Rhinelander preserves its timber history at River the Logging museum Complex (715/369-5004, Activities: Camping, swimming and A www.rhinelanderchamber.com), a full-scale reproduction of a onsin biking. The College of Natural Wisc 19th century logging camp with a narrow-gauge railroad. In Pickerel Resources undergraduate program is Lake held at Treehaven from mid-May to the northeast, you can enjoy tours and tastings at the Three Lakes Winery (800/944-5434, www.fruitwine.com). Treehaven mid-August. Visitors are welcome.
A PICKEREL CREEK Environmental Learning Center Educational courses and public pro- grams are offered throughout the year. H Restrictions: No pets, trails may be 54 closed due to special programs or Almon Bog Trails at Almon Park/Buck Lake events. Phone: 715/369-6140 This 80-acre county park offers wood- (Oneida County) land trails through old age mixed hard- GPS: 45.58 N Lat. 89.41 W Long. woods, Signature species: Common northern Loon and Pileated Woodpecker. YNN ROGERS
L bog with a Rarities: Warbler and kinglet boardwalk, MIKE MCDOWELL opportunities. Ringed neck snake. and Seasonality: Best in spring, summer & fall. lakeshore Accessibility: Paved but steep trail. Paved path to lakeshore. parking Nearest food & lodging: In areas with Rhinelander, 5 miles north. an adjacent picnic area, Rhinelander restrooms 47 BUS Chestnut-sided Warbler. 8 C and swim-
8 ming beach. 17 Directions: From Rhinelander, travel 8 G 47 south about 3 miles on Cty. G to Lassig Rd., south on Lassig to Hixon Lake Rd., Almon Bog then west on Hixon to the park. Trails Buck
Lake Amenities: Restrooms, picnic area, D
HIXON R boardwalks. LAKE RD G
G
I
S
S
Red Squirrel in winter. A L
44 45 Oneida County
55 Bearskin State Trail 57 Thunder Lake State Wildlife Area
Phone: 715 /356-5211 This 18-mile railbed trail offers a Phone: 715/356-5211 2,700 acres of sedge meadow, barrens, (Wisconsin DNR) packed granite gravel surface for hik- (Wisconsin DNR) bog lakes and tamarack forest. This Web site: www.wiparks.net ing/biking in the warmer weather, and Web site: www.dnr.state.wi.us/ area is large, wild and filled with inter- GPS: 45.88 N Lat. 89. 70 W. snowmobiling in the winter. Excellent org/land/wildlife esting birds. Long. for the northern trailhead; birding as the GPS: 45.8136 N 89.1989 W. Known as a 45.64 N 89.69 W. for the trail transects Rarities: Northern Hawk Owl, hotspot for southern trailhead.
Yellow Rail, Short-eared Owl, MIKE MCDOWELL Admission: A daily or annual varied habitats – LeConte’s Sparrow. birds, one can state trail pass is required. northern hard- MIKE MCDOWELL Seasonality: Limited access in find Hermit Hours: Daylight hours. woods, bogs, winter and early spring. and Seasonality: Best in spring, old-field, marsh Nearest food & lodging: In Swainson’s summer and fall; heavy and springs, and Three Lakes, 3 miles southeast. Thrushes, and snowmobile traffic makes it trout stream. Northern Saw-
unsuitable in winter.
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r e Nearest food & lodging: In Columbus Minocqua, Hazelhurst or of the trail is Lake 45 Over 20 Rhinelander. especially pro- 32 Medicine species of Northern Hawk Owl. Northern Cardinal. Lake ductive. R Warblers nest ICE LAKE RD Three Minocqua Numerous trestles and boardwalks pro- Lakes in the area and in the winter, flocks of vide viewing stops. Fascinating interpre- Spirit 32 grosbeaks, crossbills, Common Thunder Lake 47 tive signage. Lake Redpolls, and Pine Siskins can be seen. 45 Directions: The north trailhead is locat- A Directions: From Three Lakes travel
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ed behind the post office in Minocqua; M Big north 1 mile on Hwy. 32, turn west on Thunder Lake onico Bearskin Lake State Trail the south trailhead is about two miles State Wildlife Area Rice Lake Road – the property begins 51 southwest of Harshaw on Cty. K. You’ll 0.5 mile from Hwy. 32. find paved parking at both trailheads. Harshaw Amenities: Restrooms and drinking
K fountain at the Minocqua trailhead, and at the halfway point at Blue Lake. 58 Willow Flowage
Phone: 715/356-5211. This area is known for attracting large concentrations of waterfowl during 56 Plum Creek Forest Resources Trail Web site: www.dnr.state.wi.us Signature species: Bald Eagles, spring and fall migrations. Shorebirds Osprey, Loons, Sharp-tailed can be seen Plum Creek is the second largest private Phone: 715/453-7952 Grouse, shorebirds and owls. along mud flats. (Plum Creek Timber Company) timberland owner in the Unites States Great Gray owls are occasionally Great Horned, Signature species: Connecticut with 548,000 acres in Wisconsin. This seen in winter.
Eastern Screech RJ & LINDA MILLER Warbler, nuthatches, vireos, 9-mile auto trail is well marked and has Nearest food & lodging: In Winter Wrens, Clay-colored Hazelhurst, 14 miles northeast. Owls, Northern a full color guidebook that is available Saw-whet Owls Sparrow and Ruffed Grouse. at the site. This logging road takes you Hours: 24/7– may be impassable and Barred Owls in winter. past creeks, marshes, spruce forest, are found here. aspen stands, hardwoods, and old Nearest Food & Lodging: In Directions: Rhinelander, 13 miles east. growth pine. Boreal species like Boreal Chickadee, Gray Jay, and Yellow-bellied From Hazelhurst Flycatcher can be seen. Many species of travel south C E D about 3 miles C A warblers can be found here including R F
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L Tour a Canada. Clear-cut areas attract flocks k e WILLOW DAM RD s of warblers, thrushes and sparrows. south about 6.5 Y miles on Cty. Y, Mammals include wolves, fishers, deer W Creek 45 i To US Hwy 51 l w lo Willow Flowage then west about ymeado w Ha and bear. W F ILL Bald Eagle. lo OW 2 miles on w D Y a AM Directions: From Monico travel west 4 g e RD Willow Dam Road to the parking lot of miles on Hwy. 8/47 to Tower Road, turn Neptune Wilderness Cruises. Lake northeast and trace Tower Road 9 miles Notes: The flowage offers exceptional To Rhi nelander 8 47 Monico to Cty. C. You can park along the road- 8 way. fishing.
46 47 Polk County 60 Interstate State Park
Wisconsin’s first state park, Interstate State Park Phone: 715/483-3747 Wisconsin’s oldest state park with 85 (715/483-3747, www.wiparks.net), is located just (Wisconsin DNR) campsites, showers, a nature center, a south of St. Croix Falls in western Polk County. Web site: www.wiparks.net swimming area, a boat launch, and The park is famous for its stunning bluff-top views Admission: A daily or annual awesome views of the St. Croix River state park vehicle sticker is gorge. Three state natural areas are of the St. Croix River and its unusual glacial forma- required. contained within the park’s 1,400 acres tions. Hours: The park is open daily St. Croix Falls is also the headquarters of the 6am-11pm year-round. The protecting unique glacial features and neighboring Ice Age Interpretive plant communities. Habitat types St. Croix National Scenic Riverway (715/483- Center is open daily 8:30am- include 3284, www.nps.gov/sacn). The riverway traces the 4:30pm year-round, (the park is upland and St. Croix and Namekagon Rivers for more than 250 miles. Staff the western terminus of the Ice Age National Scenic Trail). lowland
at the riverway’s new multi-million dollar interpretive center will Accessibility: The park offers forest, and MIKE MCDOWELL help you plan an exciting canoe adventure on the river. The St. accessible campsites, restrooms, bedrock Croix Festival Theatre (888/887-6002, shelter and picnic areas, and an glade. The accessible fishing pier. The Ice Age www.festivaltheatre.org) offers a professional, seven-show Interpretive Center is accessible, as park con- repertoire. are two of the park’s nine miles of tains Just a few miles south in Osceola you can visit Cascade hiking trails. numerous Falls, a small but very picturesque waterfall located just a block Nearest food & lodging: In St wetland Croix Falls, one mile north; or in areas and Great Blue Heron. off Main Street. You can also enjoy a ride along the sandstone Dresser, one mile south. bluffs of the St. Croix River aboard a steam or diesel-powered encircles Lake O’ the Dalles. A Bald Eagle nest and Great Blue Heron rook- g
r train operated by the Osceola & St. Croix Valley Railway u b
s 87 t ery are within the park boundaries. n
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(800/711-2591, www.trainride.org). R G
o 95 T Directions: From St. Croix Falls travel south one-half mile on Hwy. 35 to the St. Croix Taylors Falls park entrance on the west side of the Falls road. There are several paved parking 8 35 areas within the park. 59 To Turtle Lake
D.D. Kennedy County Park MINNESOTA 8 Interstate Activities: Camping, swimming, bik- 35 roix State Park 95 C
A 106-acre preserve along the Balsam la ing, fishing and hiking. o
Phone: 715/485-9294 St. e
S sc O Branch that flows through central Polk
(Polk County) o T Web site: County. A prairie restoration area fea- www.polkcountytourism.com tures native Signature species: Black- grasses and throated Green and Canada wildflowers. Warblers, Blue-headed Vireos, Yellow-bellied Flycatchers, The park MIKE MCDOWELL
Wilson’s Snipe and American includes a dam, JOHN EIDSMOE Woodcock. millpond, and well-maintained
trails. It pro-
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of habitat for a o T good mix of 46 Wilson’s Snipe. birds. To St. Croix Falls To Turtle Lake 8 8 46 Directions: From St. Croix Falls travel
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Interstate State Park.
48 49 Polk County
61 McKenzie Creek State Wildlife Area Price County
Phone: 715/537-5046 This 5,497-acre wildlife area has 4.6 With 300,000 acres of unspoiled public land, Price (Wisconsin DNR) miles of hiking trails. There are exten- County holds many attractions for visitors. Web site: www.dnr.state.wi.us/ sive hardwood forests on the property Park Falls in northern Price County is one of org/land/wildlife along with bogs and McKenzie Lake. two headquarters for the 1.5-million acre Common species include American Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest Woodcock, waterfowl, Ruffed Grouse, I (715/762-2461, www.fs.fed.us/r9/cnnf). Clam Bald Eagles and Osprey. The area Just to the south, Fifield’s logging history is Clam Falls Falls includes six lakes and McKenzie Creek, Flowage preserved at the Old Town Hall Museum S CENI T a fine trout stream. C R A k C IL e l (800/269-4505, www.pricecountywi.net). Just e a
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C Directions: Located in the northeast O south of town, the Smith Rapids Covered Bridge on the E corner of Polk County, 8 miles east of G R A iv e McKenzie Creek South Fork of the Flambeau River is a popular recreation of the r Wildlife Area Frederic on Cty. W. Parking lots on ie E z C town lattice design. I n north, south, and central part of prop- e K c M erty and at McKenzie Lake. At Phillips in the center of the county, a fascinating collec- W Activities: Hiking, berry picking, and tion of folk art can be found at the Wisconsin Concrete Park O trout fishing. (800/269-4505, www.pricecountywi.net); whimsical concrete creations festooned with stones, shells and bits of broken glass. In the southeastern corner of the county, near Ogema, stands Timm’s Hill. At 1,951.5 feet above sea level, it is the highest point in the state. The view from the observation tower 62 York Park is particularly stunning in autumn.
Phone: 715/268-7486 The park offers 40 acres of urban, (City of Amery) mixed hardwood forest on a hilly site, Web site: boggy wetland, and one-quarter mile www.polkcountytoursm.com of undeveloped lakeshore. Enjoy three 63 Blockhouse Lake/ Flambeau Trails/ Signature species: Spring miles of graveled trails and a viewing migratory warblers, and loons on Hay Creek the lake. platform. Birds in the forest include Golden-winged, Northern Parula, Hours: Open 6am-10pm daily. Upland forest, conifers, streams, wet- Magnolia, Phone: 715/762-3204 Seasonality: Best in spring, (Wisconsin DNR) lands and Blockhouse Lake combine to summer & fall. Blackburnian Web site: www.dnr.state.wi.us/ create abundant habitat for many birds Accessibility: One trail is paved, and org/land/wildlife railed fishing pier. and mammals. Good concentrations of Mourning MIKE MCDOWELL Signature species: Trumpeter waterfowl are attracted to Blockhouse Nearest food & lodging: In Warblers, Swans, Black-backed Amery. Lake during migrations. Mammals Evening Woodpeckers, Gray Jays, Bald Eagle, Common Raven, Boreal include fishers, timber wolf and bob- Grosbeaks, Chickadee and Sharp-tailed cats. 46 Red-eyed and Grouse. r e iv Hours: 24/7. Directions: From Park Falls travel 6 R Blue-headed le p miles east on Hwy. 182, turn north on p Pike A York Park Vireos, and Blackburnian Warbler. Nearest food & lodging: In Park Lake Brown Falls, 8 miles southwest. Hoffman Road to a parking lot at the Creepers. On the lake, one can find intersection with Blockhouse Lake N. Twin Road. This area is a matrix of DNR and Lake Amery Common Loons, Bald Eagles, Osprey Blockhouse Lake/ F Flambeau Trails/ US Forest Service lands. The Flambeau F and a variety of ducks and herons. Hay Creek trail radiates from the Blockhouse Lake Directions: The park is located on the parking area. Hay Creek is a 13,424- 46 northern edge of Amery, on the west Blockhouse King Lake acre state-owned wildlife area north of Lake side of Hwy. 46. Paved parking and
HOFFMAN RD Blockhouse Lake just across the Iron well-maintained trails. 182 County line. The Hay Creek Wildlife To Park Falls Area can be accessed by traveling east of Park Falls 8 miles on Hwy 182, then north on Forest Road 153. You’ll find ample parking throughout the area.
50 51 Price County
64 Kimberly Clark State Wildlife Area 66 Timm’s Hill County Park
Phone: 715/762-3204 This area is managed with fire for Phone: 715/339-6371 This 220-acre county park encompasses (Wisconsin DNR) Sharp-tailed Grouse that can be found (Price County) Timm’s Hill, the highest point in Web site: www.dnr.wi.gov/org/ most mornings eating gravel along the Web site: www.pricecountywi.net Wisconsin. Hike the Timm’s Hill section land/wildlife roads. Three small flowages have been Hours: Open daily 7:30am- of the Ice Age Trail to the observation Hours: 24/7. constructed with associated bogs and 9:30pm, May-Oct. tower. The park’s hardwood forest and Nearest food & lodging: In marshes. Deer, bears and fishers are Nearest food & lodging: In Phillips, 16 miles east. the surrounding countryside is spectac- Fifield or Phillips – both about 12 often observed along with Sandhill miles east. ular in fall. Enjoy good looks at war- Cranes and a nice variety of waterfowl. blers during spring and fall, woodpeck- Loons, Osprey and Bald Eagles also use ers, thrushes, deer and Ruffed Grouse. this area. C Directions: From Ogema travel 5 miles 0 7 y w Directions: From Fifield travel west 9 H east on Hwy 86, then south about 0.5
o T 86 T Bass miles on Hwy 70, turn south on Price o T mile on Co. C, then east on Rustic To Ogema omahawk Lake RD Lake Road for 3.5 miles. Price Lake Road 62 for 0.5 mile to the park Road forms the northwestern boundary Price entrance. You’ll find a paved parking LAKE Lake of the property with three access roads Timms Hill lot in the park. tracking east across the property. You’ll County Park Amenities: Park shelter, restrooms, find ample on-road parking. There are C PRICE swimming, hiking trails, biking, and a Kimberly Clark State Wildlife Area good walk-in roads along Cty. W at pair of boat launches. four gated entrances. W
65 Popple Creek/Wilson Flowage & Riley Lake MIKE MCDOWELL State Wildlife Area
Phone: 715/762-2461 Popple Creek Trail leads wildlife watch- (US Forest Service) ers along a 266-acre glacial ridge to an Web site: www.fs.fed.us/r9/cnnt expansive vista of Wilson Flowage Signature species: Ring-necked where waterfowl and wetland wildlife Duck, Wood Duck, Hooded abound. At Riley Lake you can see Merganser, Osprey, Tundra Swan, Snow Goose, and the Common Sharp-tailed Grouse in courtship dis- Loon. plays in early spring. Schedule the use Rarities: Osprey nest here. of blinds to observe the birds by con- Hours: 24/7. tacting the Forest Service. Nearest food & lodging: In Directions: These are two sites sepa- Fifield, 16 miles west. rated by about three miles; both lie in the Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest about 12 miles east of Fifield. Popple Creek/Wilson Flowage: From Fifield drive east 12 miles on Hwy. 70, turn south for 6 miles on Riley Lake FR Riley 536 0 7 Road (FR 137), turn west on Gates Lake y Lake FR 137 w
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o T Road (FR136) for 0.02 mile to the park- ing lot. Riley Lake State Wildlife Area: Riley Lake D R State Wildlife From Fifield drive east 14.5 miles on Area FR 505 E K LA Hwy. 70, turn south for 3 miles on
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52 53 Rusk County 68 Flambeau Mine Trails
Rusk County’s wealth of natural resources, ecolog- Phone: 800/535-7875 This 181-acre site was an open-pit, ical diversity and abundant wildlife have made the (Rusk County) copper and gold mine from 1991-1999. area a top destination for outdoors enthusiasts Web site: It is a good example of mine reclama- and nature buffs. www.miningmatters.org tion. Four miles of well-maintained The picturesque Blue Fee: Suggested donations. trails along mostly flat terrain provide Hours: Daylight hours. for good views of grassland birds such Hills in northwestern Nearest food and lodging: In Rusk County provide as Meadowlarks, Song Sparrows, and Ladysmith, 2 miles north. Common RJ & LINDA MILLER recreational opportuni- Yellow-throat- ties year-round, includ- ed Warblers.
ing the 27-mile Blue Hills section of The marshes MIKE MCDOWELL the Ice Age Trail. are home to The county’s rivers – the Canada Geese, River Chippewa, Flambeau, Thornapple and 27 Great Blue Jump – offer varied canoeing chal- 8 Herons, and lenges, great for both the pro and the Ladysmith Marsh Wrens. novice. Many of the crystal-clear 8 Interpretive Yellow Warbler. beau signs educate and inform visitors about streams that feed these rivers are lam ideal trout habitat. F the reclamation of the mine and the At Ladysmith, the county seat, the restoration of native habitat. Flambeau Mine Trail Directions: Located 1.7 miles south of Rusk County Visitors Center is housed 27 in the city’s old railway depot – com- Ladysmith on Hwy 27. You’ll find a large, paved parking lot. plete with a static display of a diesel Whitetail fawn. locomotive and several historic passenger and freight cars. The Rusk County Historical Society Museum (800/535-7875) includes eleven buildings with a little red schoolhouse and an 69 old wooden jail. Potato Creek State Wildlife Area
Phone: 715/532-3911 This 984-acre property includes marsh- (Wisconsin DNR) es and streams, flowages and small Web site: www.dnr.state.wi.us/ pothole ponds surrounded by grass- 67 Blue Hills/Moose Ear Creek org/land/wildlife lands and upland forests. Four miles of Signature species: Ruffed hiking trails give the bird watcher good The Blue Hills are ancient mountains Grouse, Barred Owl, and Pileated Phone: 715/532-3911 Woodpecker. access to the property. Ruffed Grouse, (Wisconsin DNR) that were ground down to hills by the Hours: 24/7. Barred Owl and Pileated Woodpeckers Signature species: Red- last glacier that retreated from are found in the forested part of the shouldered Hawks, Whip-Poor- Nearest food & lodging: In Wisconsin more than 10,000 years ago. Bruce, 8 miles northeast. property. Will, Golden-winged Warbler, The rugged landscape is covered by and Louisiana Waterthrush. Grassland birds lush vegetation. Moose Ear Creek is Hours: 24/7. including part of a watershed and is traversed by
Nearest food and lodging: In meadowlarks MIKE MCDOWELL Weyerhaeuser, 3 miles east. the Ice Age Trail. Very few people visit and a variety of this area even though it is very rich in sparrows are bird-life. F found in the W Directions: From Weyerhaeuser, take meadows. IC E A Old 14 Road west for 2.5 miles to the G Eagles and E Creek Potato Creek k Blue Hills/ Ice Age Trail entrance on the north side to Osprey hunt oose ee F State Wildlife ota M Ear Cr Moose Ear Creek P Area 40 S of the road. Park along the road and for fish in the Eastern Meadowlark. C E OLD 14 RD N I
C walk north into the property. Or, con- D flowages.
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L Lake Directions: From Bruce travel 8 miles OLD 14 RD boat ramp area on the south side of southwest on Hwy. 40, turn west 1.5 To Weyerhauser D Island Lake W the road to find a parking lot and walk miles on Cty. D to Dziemela Road and back to the Ice Age Trail. the property. Three parking lots are 8 located around the property.
54 55 Sawyer County 71 Flambeau River State Forest
Sawyer County is dominated by the water Phone: 715-332-5271 Important goals guide the management resources in its northwestern quadrant, including Web site: www.dnr.state.wi.us of this 90,000 - acre property located the 15,000-acre Chippewa Flowage and 5,000- Admission fee: Campground along the Flambeau River. The princi- acre Lac Courte Oreilles. fees where applicable. ples of sustainable forestry are used to Hayward, the county Hours: 24/7 assure that the forest can and will con- Parking: Parking throughout the tinue to provide a full range of benefits seat, is perhaps best property known as the home of to the people and visitors of Wisconsin. Nearest food & lodging: In Northern hardwood forests of sugar the National Fresh MIKE MCDOWELL Winter, 13 miles to the west or in Phillips, 18 miles to the east. and red maples, yellow birch and white Water Fishing Hall of ash create a beautiful color display in Fame (715/634-4440, www.freshwa- fall. North and south forks of the ter-fishing.org). With lots of farm ani- Flambeau River offer 75 miles of white mals, Northwood’s animals, deer, a water canoeing and there are numer-
cougar, a Siberian Tiger and more, Flambeau River ous lakes to fish in. Northern birds are Wilderness Walk Zoo & Recreation State Forest found in good numbers throughout the r e v property along with Bald Eagles and Park (715/634-2893, www.hayward- To i W R American Elk. int er Common Loons. lakes.com/wildernesswalk.htm) is Lake another great family idea. of the Directions: 13 miles east of Winter via Pines Bring your clubs; Hayward fancies itself the “Golf Capital of Highway W, where the North Fork of the Flambeau River crosses Hwy W Wisconsin” with eighteen courses within an hour’s drive of the u W ea b Amenities: Campsites are available for city. To the east, Winter is the headquarters of the Flambeau m la River State Forest (715/332-5271, www.wiparks.net), 90,000 F M a fee and picturesque remote campsites acres of wilderness with ATV and biking trails, boating, fishing, along river are offered at no cost on a hiking and 60 campsites. first come, first serve basis.
72 Lynch Creek State Wildlife Area 70 Chippewa Flowage Phone: 715/748-4875 This 100-acre site begins with a short, Phone: 715/634-6513, 634-4821, The “Chip” is a 15,300-acre flowage (US Forest Service) 1/4-mile trail that leads to a viewing 865-2329 (Wisconsin DNR) with 233 miles of rugged pine and Web site: www.fs.fed.us/r9/cnnf platform overlooking Lynch Creek Web site: www.dnr.state.wi.us aspen shoreline cut by numerous bays, Rarities: Elk were introduced near impoundment. Another trail to the Signature species: Bald Eagles, channels, and float- here – you may be lucky enough south leads to a grass/forb/shrub penin- Common Loons, Osprey, Warblers, ing bogs. The waters to see one. sula on Lynch Creek. The habitat is Waterfowl. Hours: 24/7. are dotted with hun- mainly cattail marsh, shrubby, bog wet- Hours: 24/7. Nearest food & lodging: There Nearest food & lodging: Several dreds of forested MIKE MCDOWELL are many area resorts and land, and stream with some Red pine dozen resorts on the flowage offer islands. Travel by restaurants. Hayward, 25 miles forest. Common avian species include good food and accommodations. boat or canoe to west, offers all services the Belted Kingfisher, snipe, flycatchers, fully appreciate the swallows, warblers, rail, Great Blue abundant wildlife Heron, bitterns, Sandpipers, and many throughout the ducks. This is a site for a moonlit walk, 28 warm months. Least Bittern. FR 3 since the trail is easy to follow and T o H a y w many of the wetland birds are most a Directions: From Hayward travel east r 2 d 62 R k F e 12 miles on Cty. B, turn south on Cty. e active at night. Lake r C Chippewa CC which cuts through the middle of h Lynch Creek Directions: From Hayward travel east nc Ly Wildlife Viewing the flowage 5 miles to Herman’s Area 20 miles on Hwy. 77, turn north for 5 Landing. Stop for maps and informa- miles on FR 203, turn west for 1 mile CC Chippewa Flowage Ghost tion. There are several public boat Lake on FR 328, turn south for 1/4-mile on 3 0 launches and picnic areas on the 2 FR 622. You’ll find parking for 3-4 cars Teal R Lake F D R flowage with gravel parking. Many on the west side of the road; the trail E G A W ard 77 CC LO resorts on the “Chip” will rent you a To Hayw to the viewing platform is on the east F boat or canoe. side.
56 57 Sawyer County
73 Totagatic Lake State Wildlife Area Taylor County
Phone: 715/634-2688 This 2,719-acre state owned property The Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest covers Wisconsin DNR) includes the Totagatic Flowage, created more than one-third of Taylor County, providing Web site: www.dnr.state.wi.us/ by a dam on Nelson Lake. The dam is unlimited opportunities for hiking, camping, bird org/land/wildlife located across the highway from the Hours: 24/7. and wildlife watching, fishing and hunting. The parking area. At the dam, there is a county’s 100 lakes, including the Mondeaux Nearest food & Lodging: In wildlife viewing overlook adjacent to Hayward, 7 miles southeast. Flowage, add another dimension of water recre- the highway. Birders can find Red- ation. breasted Nuthatch, warblers, Blue- headed Grosbeak and other uncom- In Medford, the county seat, you can visit the mon species here. The lake is surround- Taylor County Historical Museum (715/748- ed by marsh, northern mesic and wet- 3808, www.medfordwis.com) featuring local history, including mesic forest including the Totagatic logging and the military history of the 724th engineering battal- Highlands Hemlocks, a stand of old- ion. The city is also the southern trailhead for the Pine Line growth hemlock on the area’s western Recreation Trail (800/269-4505, www.medfordwis.com), a 26- edge. Canoe or kayak the flowage for mile railbed trail that runs north to Prentice in Price County. good looks at a variety of waterfowl, In Gilman City Park you can cross the Yellow River on a Totagatic 27 Flowage eagles and herons. swinging bridge, the only surviving swinging bridge in the state. Directions: Property is located 7 miles West of Rib Lake, visit the Gerstberger Pines for a look at a true northwest of Hayward on Hwy. 27. You remnant of old growth forest. The county also boasts sixty miles can access a paved parking lot from of the Ice Age Trail, the trail’s longest unbroken stretch. Totagatic Lake Nelson Hwy. 27. State Wildlife Area Lake Amenities: Restrooms at parking lot. T
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Phone: 715/748-4875 Easy roadside viewing of Northwoods’ (US Forest Service) wildlife at this 2,714-acre flowage sur- Web site: www.fs.fed.us/r9/cnnf rounded by northern hardwood forest. Signature Species: Osprey, Drive, hike or canoe the area. Double-crested Cormorant, and Belted Kingfisher. Directions: Admission: A parking fee may be From Gilman TOURISM PHOTO FILE charged at various sites around travel east 0.5
the flowage. mile on Hwy. MIKE MCDOWELL Hours: 24/7. 64, north 1.5 Seasonality: Tundra swans, miles on Hwy. Canada and Snow Geese in spring. 73, east 3 Accessibility: Viewing platforms miles on Cty. and trails within the area are G to Forest accessible. Road 121, Nearest food & lodging: In then east on Medford, 20 miles east; or in FR 121 one Cornell, 20 miles west. mile to the Belted Kingfisher. Bayview To Gilman To Watchable Wildlife Site. You’ll find a M graveled parking area. Amenities: Restrooms, gravel trails, and a viewing platform.
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75 Kidrick Swamp 77 Pershing State Wildlife Area
Phone: 715/748-4875 A 4,000-acre wetland with black spruce Phone: 715/532-3737 or 668- Established in 1953, the Pershing (US Forest Service) and tamarack swamp forest, largely 5644 (Wisconsin DNR) Wildlife Area consists of two large and Web site: www.fs.fed.us/r9/cnnf open heath, with alder wetland shrub Web site: www.dnr.state.wi.us/ separate tracts, encompassing approxi- Rarities: Yellow-bellied Flycatcher. edges and smaller “islands” and penin- org/land/wildlife mately 7,400 acres, which are inten- Hours: 24/7. sulas of second-growth mixed upland GPS: 45degree 15’ / 90 degree sively managed for the production of 50’ Nearest food & lodging: In forest. Birds common to these habitats Sharp-tailed Grouse and waterfowl. The Medford, 25 miles southeast. Signature species: Sharp-tailed include the Lincoln Sparrow, Golden- Grouse. Fisher River crowned Kinglet, White-throated Seasonality: April mornings just and associated Sparrow, Golden-winged Warbler, before sunrise to mid-morning are tributaries, best to observe Sharp-tailed Sedge Wren, Alder Flycatcher, Black which support RJ & LINDA MILLER Grouse dancing on their display and White Warbler, Chestnut-sided grounds, known as “leks.” Blinds several rare, To Jump River Warbler, and Mourning Warbler. threatened and D are available for reservation; blinds are very necessary to prevent endangered FR 112 Directions: This site is within the
3 1 disturbing Sharp-tails during their 1 species, runs R Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest. F courtship performances. From Jump River travel east 7 miles on through the Kidrick Nearest food & lodging: In Swamp Cty. D, then south on FR 113 two miles Gilman, 7 miles southeast. area. The prop- – the swamp is on the east side of the Restrictions: Pets on leash during erty contains
14 spring and summer. 1 road; or, from Jump River travel east 10 15 flowages FR miles on Cty. D, then south 2 miles on and gravel FR 112, then southwest 2 miles on FR trails, as well 114 – the swamp in on the west side as an osprey, of the road. Park along the road. cormorant and 73 heron rookery. Directions: Pershing State From Hannibal Whitetail Deer. 76 Mondeau Dam Recreation Area Wildlife Area in western Taylor County, travel two miles west on Hannibal Phone: 715/748-4875 The Mondeaux Dam and Flowage were M Cty. M – the two lobes of the wildlife (US Forest Service) built in the 1930s. In succeeding years, area lie north and south of Cty. M. Web site: www.fs.fed.us/r9/cnnf the 400-acre Signature species: Cerulean recreation area Warbler, and Bald Eagle. developed in Hours: 24/7. the surrounding MIKE MCDOWELL Seasonality: Best in spring, northern hard-
summer & fall. DOUG ALFT Nearest food & lodging: wood forest. It Mondeaux Dam Lodge is a quickly became privately operated concession one of the best stand on the flowage. birding oppor- tunities in the
region. Plenty Lincoln Sparrow. of easy access. To Medford Directions: From Medford travel north D 15.5 miles on Hwy. 13, west on Cty. D FR 104 6.5 miles, then south 1 mile on FR 104 (Mondeaux Dr.) to the entrance of the recreation area. Park in the paved park- M Mondeaux Dam on d Recreation Area ing lot. E ea u x Amenities: Restrooms, gravel trails, TRAIL A F CENIC viewing platform, visitors center, gift GE l S ICE o w a g shop. e Restrictions: Pets on a leash only.
Autumn birdwatching.
60 61 Taylor County 78 Yellow River Ice-walled Lake Plain Vilas County
Phone: 715/762-2461 This 200-acre site is unique as an “Ice- Vilas County spreads across the top of Wisconsin (US Forest Services) walled lake plain”, a glacial feature like a blue and green patterned-carpet. With more Web site: www.fs.fed.us/r9/cnnf with a flat, rich, fertile plateau. The than 1,300 lakes, 73 rivers and streams, and a half Rarities: Cerulean Warbler and area is a rich, mesic hardwood forest million acres of forestland, the county is the heart Swainson’s Thrush. Rare spring ephemeral plants include with mature stands of Sugar of Wisconsin’s famous Lakeland Vacationland. dutchman’s breeches, squirrel maple/basswood and hemlock/yellow In Manitowish Waters, the North Lakeland corn, trillium, trout lily, spring birch, as well as Tamarack/black spruce beauty, toothwort, hepatica, Discovery Center (877/543-2085, www.discov- swamp forest. Steep erosion ravines cut erycenter.net) offers skill programs and 20 kilome- bulblet and goldies fern. through the plain, where many fern Seasonality: Spring is best for bird ters of trails for hiking, biking, X-C skiing, snow- species abound (including some rare watching and seeing a shoeing and wildlife watching. The 200,000-acre Northern stupendous spring wildflower ones). Bird species here include the display (best during last two Barred Owl, Pileated Woodpecker, Highland/American Legion State Forest (715/385-2727, weeks of May). Hermit Thrush, Wood Thrush, Wood www.wiparks.net) is headquartered in Boulder Junction. The Nearest food & lodging: In Vilas County Historical Society Museum (715/542-3388, Medford, 20 miles southeast. Peewee, Yellow-throated Vireo, Black and White Warbler, Black-throated Blue www.northern-wisconsin.com/museum/index.html) in Sayner Warbler, Magnolia Warbler, American displays the world’s first snowmobile. Redstart, and Yellow-bellied Flycatcher. In Eagle River, bring the kids to the Northwoods Children’s Directions: From Perkinstown, which is Museum (715/479-4623, west of Medford, go north on Cty. M www.northwoodschildrensmuseum.com) for family fun in their to its junction with FR 112. Continue min-log cabin and fishing pond. See chainsaw sculptures and north on FR 112 about 1 mile to its more at Carl’s Wood Art Adventure (715/479-1883, junction with FR 575. Go west on FR www.carlswoodart.com). Or visit the International Yellow River 575 about 1.5 miles to its junction with Ice-walled Lake Plain IC Snowmobile Racing Hall of Fame and Museum (715/542- E FR 1547. FR 1547 is a gated road; park FR 575 4488, www.snowmobilehalloffame.com) in St. Germain. A and walk past the gate, down the road. G E The site is on both sides of the road for
FR 112
S LAKE RD C
E about 1 mile.
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I C C sh ree Note: There are no established trails; ru k 79 Catherine Wolter Wilderness Area B M but the woods are fairly open and easy TR AIL to hike (bring a map and compass). Phone: 715/682-5789 This 2,189-acre Nature Conservancy There is a heron rookery one mile (The Nature Conservancy) state natural area includes 15 lakes and Kathryn M south; it’s remotely located with no Lake Web site: ponds. Common avian species include Perkinstown easy access, but worth the hike. www.tnc.org/northamerica/states/ neotropical migrant songbirds Otter, wisconsin/preserves/art5844.html fisher, black bear and timber wolves are Signature species: Black- throated Green and Black- known to frequent the preserve. throated Blue Warblers, American Directions: From Boulder Junction trav- Redstarts, Golden-winged el north 5 miles Warblers, Magnolia Warblers and
TOURISM PHOTO FILE Mourning Warblers, Common on Cty. M, turn Loons, Osprey northwest for 7
Rarities: Bald Eagle. miles on Cty. B, MIKE MCDOWELL Hours: Daylight hours. turn northeast Nearest food & lodging: In for 0.5 mile on Presque Isle, 3 miles west. East Bay Road. The trailhead is M I C H I G located on the A N Oxbo Lake east side of the D R Catherine Wolter road. There is a Y A Wilderness Area American Redstart. B B small parking
ST area (10-15 cars) at the trailhead. EA
Annabelle Lake B
Lynx To Bo Crab Lake uld er J Lake unc Along the National Ice Age Trail. tion
62 63 Vilas County
80 Fallison Lake Nature Trail 82 Northern Highland - American Legion
Phone: 715/385-2727 This 2.5-mile loop trail rolls through a State Forest (US Forest Service) mixed coniferous/deciduous forest of Web site: www.fs.fed.us/r9/cnnf balsam fir, hemlock, red pine, white Phone: 715/385-2727 At 223,283 acres, the Northern Signature species: Bald Eagle pine, sugar maple, white birch, and (Wisconsin DNR) Highland/American Legion State Forest and Common Loon. large-toothed Web site: www.wiparks.net is Wisconsin’s largest property. It offers Rarities: Osprey. and trembling Signature species: Alder many campgrounds totaling 871 camp- Hours: 24/7. Flycatchers, Vesper Sparrow, and aspen. The Yellow-bellied Sapsucker. sites; most offering water, showers, Seasonality: Best in spring, MIKE MCDOWELL restrooms, swimming, fishing and a summer and fall. trail crosses Rarities: Gray Jay, Nelson’s Sharp- tailed & LeConte’s Sparrows, Bald boat launch. The forest contains a Restrictions: No pets. bogs and a hemlock Eagle, Osprey, and timber wolf. diversity of northern timber types inter- Nearest food & lodging: In Hours: The headquarters is open Woodruff, 10 miles southwest. glade. The spersed with Mon-Fri 7:45am-4:30pm. The grasslands, longest loop property is open 24/7. of the trail marshes, and Accessibility: The forest offers MIKE MCDOWELL goes all the accessible campsites and picnic more than Trout Big Muskellunge areas. Lake Lake way around 900 lakes. It Nearest food & lodging: This is is home to Little John 50-acre Young Great Horned Owls. Lake prime Wisconsin vacation country N Fallison Lake. one of the – you’ll find many resorts and largest Bald N Directions: From Woodruff travel north restaurants. 51 Eagle nesting M Mann 4 miles on Hwy. 51, turn northeast for Lake concentra-
Fallison 2.5 miles on Cty. M, turn east for 3.5 on tions in the LeConte’s Sparrow. Lake miles on Cty. N to the trailhead parking K Fallison Lake r Juncti world. Vandercook Nature Trail uff lot on the south side of the road. Lake Boulde
oodr To Directions: Forest headquarters are W Amenities: Boardwalks and a rustic To M located on Trout Lake about 4.5 miles nature center nearby. Trout Lake south of Boulder Junction on Cty. M. Northern Highland American Legion Stop for maps and information. State Forest
Allequash 81 Lumberjack/Escanaba Trails Lake
Phone: 715/385-2400 An 11-mile trail system around White (US Forest Service) Sand and Escanaba Lakes. Habitat types Web site: www.fs.fed.us/r9/cnnf include forest, wetlands, lakes and a Signature species: Ruffed river. Grouse, Woodcock, and Bald Eagles. Directions: There are two trailheads on Admission: A state vehicle the Lumberjack Trail. West Trailhead: parking sticker is required for From Boulder Junction travel southeast RJ & LINDA MILLER parking. one mile on Old K Road, then east on Hours: 24/7. Concora Road to the trailhead. East Nearest food & lodging: In Trailhead: From Boulder Junction travel Boulder Junction, 2-5 miles northwest. south 2 miles on Cty. M, then east 4 miles on Cty. K to the trailhead just past Nixon Lake Road. There are grav- Boulder eled/grass parking areas at both trail- Junction K Lumberjack Trail/ O RD heads. L D Escanaba Trail E K K C R O N A D C L Amenities: Gravel trails and board- M OR A RD N walks.
O
X I
White Sand N Lake Restrictions: Pets on leashes. K Lost Canoe Lake Pallette Lake Escanaba Lake
Canada Geese in flight.
64 65 Vilas County 83 North Lakeland Discovery Center Washburn County
Phone: 715/543-2085 (North A community-oriented educational cen- Some 900 lakes sparkle within the borders of Lakeland Discovery Center) ter dedicated to exploring, preserving, Washburn County in northwestern Wisconsin. Web site: and enhancing the area’s natural, cul- In Spooner, you can ride in elegant, refur- www.discoverycenter.net tural, and historic resources. The Center bished railroad cars dating from 1910-30 on the Rarities: Osprey and Rose- is a former YCC camp with main lodge, Wisconsin Great Northern Railroad (715/635- breasted Grosbeaks. kitchen, men’s and women’s dorms, Hours: Daylight hours. 3200, www.spoonertrainride.com). Spooner is eleven rustic bunkhouses, beach and Seasonality: Best in spring, also the home of the Railroad Memories sauna. It offers a year-round program summer & fall. Museum (715/635-3325, www.spoonerwi.com), Nearest food & lodging: The of environmental education, including Center offers both bird watching. The Center encompasses displaying railway accommodations and food service. 66 acres including 25-acre Statehouse artifacts, photos, videos, equipment Otherwise, Manitowish Waters, and model trains in the former 1.5 miles south offers all services. Lake and 20 miles of hiking trails. DOUG STAMM Common species include Semipalmated C&NW depot. You can tour the Plovers, Savannah Sparrows, Sandhill largest musky-rearing hatchery in W Cranes, Yellow Warblers, Dunlins, the world; the Governor Tommy White-rumped Sandpipers, Lesser North Lakeland G. Thompson State Fish Discovery Center K Yellowlegs, and Least Sandpipers. Hatchery (715/635-4147, Rest Lake Directions: From Manitowish Waters www.spoonerwi.com). travel northeast on Cty. Hwy W 1.25 In Shell Lake, just south of miles to the Center. Address is W215 Spooner, the Museum of Manitowish 51 Cty. Hwy. W. Paved parking. To Wo Woodcarving (715/468-7100, Waters odr uff Little Star Amenities: Restrooms, drinking foun- www.washburncounty.com) dis- Lake tain, gravel trails. plays 100 life-sized carvings depict- ing the life of Christ, including “The Last Supper.” In Trego, just north of Spooner, arrange to canoe or “tube” down the scenic 84 Powell Marsh State Wildlife Area Namekagon River. Wild Turkey.
Phone: 715/ 358-9207 The marsh, developed in 1955, is a (Wisconsin DNR) 4,303-acre wetland complex of peat- Web site: www.dnr.state.wi.us/ land, open water lakes and flowages, 85 org/land/wildlife northern sedge meadows, and grassy Beaver Brook State Wildlife Area Signature species: Yellow Rail, upland islands. It supports a variety of LeConte’s Sparrow, and Nelson’s Phone: 715/373-6165 1,323 acres of stream, marsh and forest Sharp-tailed Sparrow. waterfowl, water birds, migrant shore- (Wisconsin DNR) that includes about 2 miles of Beaver Rarities: Yellow Rail, Short-eared birds, open-area birds, mammals, Web site: www.dnr.state.wi.us/ Brook. The property blends woods and Owl, Northern Harrier, American amphibians and reptiles. Some species org/land/wildlife marsh with tag alder thickets found Bittern, and Merlin. of special concern found at Powell Seasonality: Best in spring, along the brook. Ruffed Grouse, include the Bald Eagle, Common Loon American Woodcock, waterfowl, summer and fall. and Sharp-tailed Grouse. Nearest food & lodging: In 63 eagles, American osprey, and furbearers Manitowish Waters, 3 miles north. Directions: From Manitowish Waters 53 call this place home. travel 1.5 miles southeast on Hwy. 51, Spooner r ive Directions: From Spooner travel south turn south for 0.75 miles on Powell 70 R W Yellow about 1.5 miles on Hwy. 63, turn east Road to Marsh Road with transects the 70 Manitowish Beaver Brook on Wildlife Road one mile to the center Waters marsh. There are three graveled parking Wildlife Area of the property. B
e Spider lots. a 51 v e T r Amenities: 15 miles of hiking/ski trails, Lake o R Restrictions: 1,800-acre no-entry ic Little Star 63 e L trout fishing To Woodruff a k Lake 253 e wildlife refuge from Sep 1-Dec 31. B r o o ALDE k D R R L AK L E EL W RD PO
D R H Powell Marsh S Alder R A Wildlife Area Lake M
66 67 Washburn County
86 Hunt Hill Audubon Nature Center 87 Namekagon Visitor Center
& Sanctuary Phone: 715/635-8346 The Center is a good place to get infor- (National Park Service) mation on the wild and scenic Phone: 715/635-6543 (Hunt Hill Hunt Hill is a year-round environmental Web site: www.nps.gov/sacn Namekagon/St. Croix River system – Audubon Nature Center) education center with 500 acres of Hours: Open seasonally Memorial 252 miles of river corridor to canoe or Web site: www.audubon.org/ mature northern forest (oak, birch, Day through Labor Day, Thur- kayak. The river is perfect for the expe- local/sanctuary/hunthill aspen, white pine, ash), five glacial Mon, 9am-4pm, (closed Tues & rienced paddler, Rarities: Pileated Woodpeckers, lakes, bogs, prairie/oak savanna, and Wed). Osprey, Red-shouldered Hawks, Accessibility: Building is passing wooded warblers, and Harris’s Sparrows. marshy shorelines. The property accessible. bluffs and small
Admission fee: Voluntary entry includes two designated state natural Nearest food & lodging: In towns. Wildlife seen MIKE MCDOWELL fee for day use; established fees areas and ten miles of hiking trails. Trego, 0.1 mile south. along the corridor for course offerings and programs. Common species include Bald Eagles, includes Bald Sandhill Cranes, Loons, Green Herons, Eagles, Osprey, por- Great Blue Herons, many warblers, cupine, wolves and songbirds, raptors, Ruffed Grouse, wild many species of turkey, deer, otters, fisher, and songbirds including bear. Self-guided hikes are encouraged, 53 warblers, thrushes, or optional. Namekagon Visitor Center and vireos. The N Directions: From Sarona travel east 0.5 am Center includes a ek mile on Cty. D, turn north 0.5 mile on ag on 63 logging and fur- Cty. P, turn east on Audubon Road trading museum, River Fox Sparrow. (watch for small, white sanctuary direc- E Trego restrooms and B tional sign) 2 miles to Hunt Hill Road drinking fountains. 53 which is the gravel driveway into the 53 Directions: The Center is located on P 253 sanctuary (watch for entrance sign on 63 Hwy. 63 in Trego just north of the junc- north side of road). tion of Hwy. 63 and Hwy. 53. Amenities: Hunt Hill offers a variety of
AUDUBON RD programs and course offerings year- Sarona D Hunt Hill round. Paid, naturalist-guided hikes can Nature Center & Sanctuary be scheduled. The Center’s dining facili- T
o
R
i c 88 e ties and dormitories can accommodate Sawyer Creek State Fisheries Area
L D a
k e groups up to 75. Other amenities include a library, campfire rings, water- Phone: 715/373-6165 Flycatchers, many species of warblers, front/swimming beach and canoes. (Wisconsin DNR) Winter Wrens and thrushes are found Web site: www.dnr.state.wi.us/ here in good numbers. This property is org/land/wildlife divided into two units and both areas are good places to go to for wildlife viewing. There are lakes, trout streams,
RJ & LINDA MILLER pine forest and mixed hardwood and Spooner pine forests. Directions: From Spooner travel west 3 70 miles on Hwy. 70, turn south 2 miles on Greenfield Road to the property. Notes: Trout fishing on Sawyer Creek. er 253
GREENFIELD RD iv R Sawyer Creek Yellow Fishery Area 63
Male Wood Ducks with male Hooded Merganser.
68 69 More Sources of Tourism Information Top Ten Things Birders might want to bring on County Contacts 715/365-7466, 800/236-3006 These contacts, in each of the eight- www.oneidacountywi.com their next Wisconsin foray een counties in the Lake Polk County Information Center Superior/Northwoods region, are 715/483-1410, 800/222-7655 ready to help you plan you outdoor www.polkcountytourism.com adventure. They can suggest 10. Your clubs – Wisconsin has accommodations and restaurants, as Price County Tourism Department more than 400 golf courses available well as attractions and other histori- 715/339-4505, 800/269-4505 cal, cultural and environmental www.pricecountywi.net for public play. Can you say “Tee opportunities. Rusk County Visitors Center time?” 715/532-2642, 800/535-7875 10 Ashland Area Chamber of Commerce www.ruskcounty.org 9. Your Creel – To put the trout in 715/623-4134, 888/526-4523 Sawyer County/Hayward Lakes VCB www.visitashland.com 715/634-8662, 800/724-2992 you’re gonna catch on any of Bayfield County Tourism & www.haywardlakes.com Wisconsin’s 2,444 cold water Recreation Taylor County Tourism 9 streams. 715/779-3335, 800/447-4094 715/748-4729, 888/682-9567 www.bayfield.org www.medfordwis.com 8. Your Camping Gear – You’ll Barron County Clerk’s Office Vilas County Advertising & Publicity 715/537-6200 Dept. need it at any of the 5,535 campsites www.co.barron.wi.us/tourism.htm 715/479-3649, 800/236-3649 8 in Wisconsin’s 60 state parks and www.vilas.org Burnett County Department of forests. Tourism & Information Washburn County/Spooner Area 715/349-7411, 800/788-3164 Tourism www.burnettcounty.com 715/635-9696, 800/367-3306 7. Your Swimming Suit – There’s a Superior-Douglas County CVB www.washburncounty.org 7 million acres of water in Wisconsin. 715/392-2773, 800/942-5313 If that’s not enough, you may stay at www.visitsuperior.com State & National Contacts Florence County Visitor Center Wisconsin Department of Tourism a hotel with a pool. And if you’ve 715/528-5377, 888/889-0049 800/432-8747 www.travelwisconsin.com brought the kids/grandkids… can www.florencewisconsin.com you say “Waterpark?” Wisconsin Department of Natural 6 Forest County Advertising Committee Resources 715/478-2212, 800/334-3387 608/266-2621 6. Your canoe – The better to be www.forestcountywi.com www.dnr.state.wi.us silent on any of Wisconsin’s 15,000 Iron County Development Zone Wisconsin Indian Head Country lakes. Council Tourism 5 715/924-2970, 800/826-6966 715/561-2922 5. Your Bike – More than 1,000 www.ironcountywi.com www.wisconsinindianhead.org Langlade County/Antigo Area Chequamegon-Nicolet National miles of surfaced bike trails through- Chamber of Commerce Forest out Wisconsin. 715/623-4134, 888/526-4523 715/362-1371 www.antigochamber.com www.fs.fed.us/r9/cnnf 4 4. Your Antiquing Guide – Whoa, National Audubon Society Lincoln County/Merrill Area better bring the credit card too. Chamber of Commerce 800/542-2748 715/536-9474, 877/907-2757 www.audubon.org/states/wi/ www.merrillchamber.com 3. Your Camera – It’s gonna be gor- or 3 geous out there. Lincoln County/Tomahawk Regional Chamber of Commerce 715/453-5334, 800/569-2160 2. Your Appetite – For a cuppa Joe, www.gototomahawk.com a slice of pie and a little ala mode at Oneida County Visitor’s Bureau 2 a home-cookin’ café. 1. Your Gazetteer and Compass – Two things John Muir never forget. 70 1 71 We’ve got our ducks in a row.
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