Muir Park features a variety of natural communities within the boundaries of Muir County Park in Marquette County. A parking area and boat ramp are available off of Fox River Road. The Ice Age Trail forms a loop around Ennis Lake.
The prairie was in full force during my mid-June visit. Butterfly milkweed, spiderwort, prairie coreopsis, and black-eyed susans provided beautiful splashes of color across the landscape. The Ice Age Trail provides a leisurely loop that proceeds through the prairie and forest before arriving back at the parking area. I spent most of my time enamored with the prairie and thus look forward to a return visit to explore the fen and sedge meadow areas futher. The lake was a perfect example of tranquility with lily pads floating on the surface and nary a ripple to be seen. This is certainly one of the most family-friendly natural areas with a loop trail and easy terrain. Muir Park is named, of course, in honor of John Muir, the famed naturalist who once spent his formative years here experiencing, appreciating, and loving the natural world.
More of my photos (and full-res) from Muir Park can be viewed here.
Additional Information
| SNA # | 96 |
| County | Marquette |
| Natural Communities / Geology | Lake, Stream, Sedge Meadow, Bog, Northern Wet Forest, Southern Dry Forest, Wet-Mesic Prairie, Oak Opening |
| Size (Acres) | 159 |
| Parking | Parking Area (paved) |
| Trails | Yes |
| Easy to Find | Yes |
| Best Seen By | Foot |
| Marked Boundaries | No |
| Ownership | Marquette County; Wisconsin DNR |
| Located Within | John Muir Memorial Park |
| Dates Visited | 6.20.10 |
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State Natural Areas of Wisconsin 