Blackjack Springs is part of Blackjack Springs Wilderness, which in turn, is part of the Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest. Complicated, eh? My visit here was with my mother, precluding much off-trail exploration. There is a large parking area off of FR2178 (gravel) and a trail that starts west of the road and skirts the northern edge of the SNA. This area of the SNA could also be named Fern Gully for the abundance of ferns throughout. Other areas were hummocky with a carpet of spongy sphagnum moss. Whisper Lake is a picturesque lake north of the trail and technically not within the SNA’s boundaries. There is a campsite and fire ring here, which falls under the purview of the US Forest Service. We ran into a couple of surprised campers and their dog during the visit here. Clearly, I want to revisit this site and work my way toward the namesake springs and explore a bit more of the fairy-like moss-scape.
More of my photos from Blackjack Springs can be viewed here.
Additional Information
| SNA # | 308 |
| County | Vilas |
| Parking | Parking area (gravel) |
| Trails | Yes, along periphery |
| Easy to Find | Yes |
| Best Seen By | Foot |
| Marked Boundaries | No |
| Ownership | US Forest Service; More info: Wisconsin DNR |
| Located Within | Chequamegon-Nciolet National Forest |
| Dates Visited | 7.18.09 / 7.2.11 |
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State Natural Areas of Wisconsin 