Holmboe Conifer Forest includes a variety of northern forest types on rolling terrain along the Pelican River in the city of Rhinelander. The directions as described by the DNR are a bit out of date and I believe they pre-date the Taylor Park nursing home that was built adjacent to the site on Boyce Drive. Enter the nursing home parking lot and slowly proceed all the way to the back as the lot bends slightly left. Park in this cul-de-sac and a trailhead will be visible. A trail loops through the site.
There are not very many natural areas that I have visited with my mother, so this visit percolates fond memories. The trail is well-maintained over the undulating topography amidst a forest of hemlock and pines with birch and other hardwood species mixed in. Burnt orange leaves crunched beneath our feet as we walked below the enduring green of the pines and hemlocks. The wetter areas of black spruce and tamarack were not heavily explored during this visit considering the company, but that can be the subject of a future visit for sure. It would be a worthy trip to see this natural area at an earlier time of year to see what the natural beauty it then beholds. If you are in the area and are looking for a relatively easy, family-friendly hike, Holmboe Conifer Forest is a great option to consider.
More of my photos (and full-res) from Holmboe Conifer Forest can be viewed here.
Additional Information
| SNA # | 79 |
| County | Oneida |
| Natural Communities / Geology | Nothern Wet Forest, Northern Wet-Mesic Forest, Northern Mesic-Forest |
| Size (Acres) | 33 |
| Parking | Cul-de-sac |
| Trails | Yes |
| Easy to Find | Yes |
| Best Seen By | Foot |
| Marked Boundaries | No |
| Ownership | Northwoods Land Trust (PDF); More info: Wisconsin DNR |
| Located Within |
n/a |
| Dates Visited | 10.29.11 |
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State Natural Areas of Wisconsin 
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