Spruce Lake Bog features a hard-water seepage bog northwest of Dundee in one of the many kettles characteristic of this region. It is one of 11 SNA’s within the Northern Unit of the Kettle Moraine State Forest. A parking area is located on Airport Road as denoted by ‘Wildlife Viewing Area’ signs. Cross the grass runway and follow the boardwalk to enter the bog.
Spruce Lake Bog contains many species characteristic of a more northerly site including black spruce, American starflower, bluebead lily, and winterberry. Areas of sedge mat, bog forest, and swamp hardwoods form distinct communities within the site. The boardwalk passes mainly through the tamaracks with abundant pitcher plants, bogbean, and marsh marigolds present and forms a loop before returning to the trailhead. Any further progress would require rubber boots at a minimum and perhaps waders. This is precisely what I intend to do when I return. Hopefully, this return visit happens in June to produce a slightly different floral palette for observation.
More of my photos (and full-res) from Spruce Lake Bog can be viewed here.
Additional Information
| SNA # | 59 |
| County | Fond du Lac |
| Natural Communities / Geology |
Lake, Bog |
| Size (Acres) | 145 |
| Parking | Parking Area (gravel) |
| Trails | Yes |
| Easy to Find | Yes |
| Best Seen By | Foot |
| Marked Boundaries | No |
| Ownership | Wisconsin DNR |
| Located Within | Kettle Moraine State Forest – Northern Unit |
| Dates Visited | 5.9.10 |
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State Natural Areas of Wisconsin 