In theory, one could start from the Swan Lake Wet-Mesic Prairie parking area on Ontario St., but that would make for quite the wet slog to this SNA. The DNR map also shows a second parking area on CTH P, east of the first one, but you would need to walk back towards the first parking area anyway, making this one not particularly useful for SNA exploration purposes. For the quickest access to the interior reaches of the SNA, walk east from the western parking area to a DNR gate and access road leading directly north.

If you would like to see an degraded dry prairie, start from the western parking area on CTH P. For a random bit of natural area trivia, the sandy hillside surrounding this parking area formerly served as a shooting range. I believe, though do not quote me, it used to be sanctioned by the DNR. At some point years ago, they decommissioned it as such, but people would still use it. I recall pulling in for my first visit here years ago and then frantically scurrying off to the east, unsure exactly what I had happened upon.

On my most recent visit, I noted that a footpath wound its way through the sand and up the hill before dead-ending at a thick tree line. I meandered east and slightly south to get to the degraded prairie. If you would prefer a quicker route to the bulk of the SNA, park in the same area, walk east along CTH P and then directly north past the access gate. The access lane proceeds north and the NNW on the uplands until ending approximately 250 feet short of the Fox River. One could also put in a kayak or canoe on Swan Lake and take the Fox to the northern edge of the SNA (and southern edge of Swan Lake Tamaracks SNA).

Angling northeast across the prairie will take you to an access road. This is the same road that lies behind the alternative access gate. This path will take you deeper into the SNA as it traces an upland route from the gate, skirting private lands, all the way to the northeastern reaches of the SNA, where a large “island” dominates. Surrounding the “island’ is a vast sedge meadow. I found rubber boots to be suitable for exploring these wetter areas, but it does mean walking quite a ways in suboptimal footwear. Along the way, you may note oddly shaped oak openings, some of which are former homesteads. The stark dichotomies between the sedge meadow and the uplands and also between the SNA lands and the adjacent neighborhood were interesting to observe. That such natural lands can coexist near homes is a blessing.

As with the last two posts on Swan Lake SNAs, my visits to this one were too early and too late. Flowering species were fairly minimal aside from Solidago and Bidens species. The rusty brown tones of the sedge meadow certainly made up for it visually as the eponymous plants gently waved in the wind. I think early June / mid-August may work better in terms of capturing more flowering species. There’s always next year!

Wooded “islands” provided brief resting spots as I meandered through the relatively small site (approximately 50 acres; nearly 600th in size). Many areas were dominated by cattails towering over my somewhat tall frame. While incongruent with wide open panoramic photography, these microenvironments lend a feeling of true embeddedness within nature….truly making me feel small within the large natural community.

Though small in size, I would still plan a return visit, perhaps early June or late August, trying to catch a few more species in bloom. Additionally, I would like to explore the more open areas on the eastern side of the SNA, as most of my time has been spent on the western portion.

Taking the poor route I did from the west, I was more tired than I should have been. Floral life was minimal in the northern reaches of the tamaracks, though the tamaracks themselves were beautiful to behold as always. I think a late August trip that meanders further south into the more open areas of the SNA would be a worthwhile adventure in the coming years. Late spring may be quite nice as well. Long-term, it may be a fun adventure to paddle to the southern boundary for a deeper exploration of the more open areas of the site.

Additional photos can be found on Flickr.

SNA #	665
County	Columbia
Natural Communities / Geology	Oak Barrens, Savanna, Dry Prairie, Oak Opening, Sedge Meadow
Size (Acres)	698
Parking	Parking Area
Trails	Yes
Easy to Find	Yes
Best Seen By	Foot
Recommended Footwear	Rubber boots
Marked Boundaries	No
Ownership	Wisconsin DNR
Located Within	Swan Lake State Wildlife Area
# Visits (at time of posting)	2