Peninsula Park Beech Forest is the second of two SNA’s found with Peninsula State Park (the other being Peninsula Park White Cedar Forest).  Several parking areas are found near the observation tower (which is closed indefinitely) and from there, the Sentinel trail leads across the road toward the northern edge of the SNA.  The Eagle trail offers views of the Niagara Escarpment.

As with Peninsula Park White Cedar Forest, the name of Peninsula Park Beech Forest is a bit deceiving as there is more than just a beech forest here.  On my visit, I stayed mostly in the mixed forest west of the road due to time constraints.  The forest is pleasant enough with a variety of tree species.  Patches of large-flowered trillium and forget-me-nots litter the forest floor.  Rose-breasted grosbeaks and American robins chit-chatted away in the trees.  All in all, it was a nice, calm walk in the woods.  When I return, I plan to explore the escarpment area further which sounds to be the more interesting portion of the site.

More of my photos (and full-res) from Peninsula Park Beech Forest can be viewed here.

Additional Information

SNA #	12
County	Door
Natural Communities / Geology	Mesic Forest, Dry-Mesic Forest, Bluff
Size (Acres)	82
Parking	Parking Area (paved)
Trails	Yes
Easy to Find	Yes
Best Seen By	Foot
Marked Boundaries	No
Ownership	Wisconsin DNR
Located Within	Peninsula State Park
Dates Visited	5.21.10