French Creek North State Natural Area is a large wetland area containing springs, marsh, tamarack swamp, fen, and sedge meadow natural communities. As with many newer SNAs, French Creek North is owned by the Wisconsin DNR as part of a larger eponymous State Wildlife Area. French Creek North is located approximately 11 miles northeast of Portage and sandwiched between French Creek Fen and Muir Park State Natural Areas. The site is easily accessed via a parking area at the corner of 13th Rd and 14th Rd. A wide mown path leads from there into the interior of the natural area. A half-dozen other parking areas dot the eastern and western sides of the SNA. Access could also be achieved from the north side of the property, though no parking areas are located there.
French Creek North is, as named, located on the north side of the French Creek Wildlife Area. It is a newer State Natural Area, having been designated by the DNR in 2012 in conjunction with 3 SNA’s to the south within the Swan Lake Wildlife Area.
On my first visit years ago, I followed the main path all the way into the depths of the marsh. As it was early May, most plant life and yet to reemerge in its green splendor and instead I was greeted by a mostly brown landscape. No worries, however, as a curious northern harrier swooped and soared around and captured most of my gaze on this lovely spring day. An egret, a bevy of white-crowned sparrows, and a posing chipmunk also added to the interesting sights.
Earlier this summer when I saw that this site was the subject of my next post, I knew I had to wait until I could visit again in the fall. That time has come. 🙂
A return visit this past week brought me to the wondrous splendor that is a fen in fall. The petite bursts of color, particularly yellows and purples, set against the dulcet tones of the browning landscape paint a picture no words can do justice to. I parked near the intersection of 13th and 14th Rds and followed the path until I could see the based of the hill to the south. Up and over and through the fields of big and little bluestem and Indiangrass provided fantastic views of the fen and creek below. Back over my shoulder, I could see the tamarack swamp to the north, beckoning me for another visit. The fen was fen-tastic. Gentians were abundant and New England Asters punctuated the atmosphere. I would venture to say that the 3-4 weeks earlier would have been quite the floral show as well. I meandered along the creek and through the fen for a while, limited only by my needed departure time for a field trip. We shall meet again, French Creek North!
Additional photos can be found on Flickr.
https://www.google.com/maps/d/u/0/edit?mid=1i1HdKfeHuekbYovMCZFpRE1u5huRX7E&usp=sharing| SNA # | 663 |
| County | Marquette |
| Natural Communities / Geology | Southern Sedge Meadow, Calcareous Fen, Tamarack Swamp, Shrub-Carr, Marsh, Springs |
| Size (Acres) | 1418 |
| Parking | Parking Areas |
| Trails | Yes |
| Easy to Find | Yes |
| Best Seen By | Foot |
| Recommended Footwear | Rubber boots |
| Marked Boundaries | No |
| Ownership | Wisconsin DNR |
| Located Within | French Creek State Wildlife Area |
| # Visits (at time of posting) | 2 |
State Natural Areas of Wisconsin 