Mink River Estuary features one of the most pristine freshwater estuaries in the country as well as associated wetland communities including marsh and conifer swamp.  Land access is availabe from two spots:  a large parking area off of CTH NP where it turns sharply north and off of Mink River Road.

This site is best explored via the water and I had no ability to do that at the time of my visit some 5 years ago.  At the time, I already had marked it as a place to revisit.  Now, with a kayak in my possession, I intend to do so.  I approached via the parking area off of CTH NP.  A trailhead there leads through a forest, wet off-trail at times and dry at others.  Large-flowered trillium and yellow forest violets were abundant here.  Of interest, were the porcupine we saw ambling through the woods and then up  a tree (first time I had ever seen one in the wild) and a good number of long-spurred violet, Viola rostrata, a species of special concern in Wisconsin.  So this site was still quite interesting despite being limited in terms of what we could cover.  The trail opens up to an area that was apparently cleared at some point and was replete with patio furniture on the grass lawn.  The best spot to put in a kayak or canoe is the Wagon Trail Resort on Rowley Bay.  They offer rentals, though I am unsure if use of the launch is free or not.

Mink River

Common Porcupine

Mink River

Long-spurred Violet

Mink River

Mink River

Ameican Toad

Large-flowered Trillium

Wet Forest

Partridgeberry

More of my photos (and full-res) from Mink River Estuary can be viewed here.

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