The largest jack pine barrens in Richland County is found here at Gotham Jack Pine Barrens.  Located just south of US14, a dead-end road leads to a gated access road with room to park.  The easiest, though slightly longer access is to follow the access road southeast and then due south toward the Wisconsin River.  Alternatively, one can walk due south from the gate toward the river, though this is somewhat thick in places.  Following the access road the entire way will lead past a quarry pond and eventually to the river and former sandbars.  Also present at this site are a sedge meadow, a floodplain forest, an oxbow lake, dry sand prairie, and open sand blows.  Rare species found here includes the mall forget-me-not (Myotis laxa), poppy mallow (Callirhoe triangulata), and sycamore (Plantanus occidentalis).  Gotham Jack Pine Barrens is a much more diverse site than the name suggests and certainly warrants another visit or two.

Insect, tbd

Jack Pine Cone

Eastern Prickly Pear Cactus (Opunita humifosa)

Sand Terrace

Insect, tbd

Round-headed Bush Clover (Lespedeza capitata)

More of my photos from Gotham Jack Pine Barrens can be viewed here.

Additional Information