Enterprise Hemlocks State Natural Area protects a mature mesic forest, predominantly composed of hemlocks and associated ephemeral ponds and boggy areas. The site is located south of Rhinelander in the southeast portion of Oneida County. There are 3 parcels, the northernmost of which can be accessed from Zimmer Rd, west of CTH G, and two…
Tag: Oneida County
Spur Lake (324/693)
*experimenting with post format; bear with me* Spur Lake State Natural Area contains the eponymous lake as well as surrounding wetlands, including open bog, alder thicket, and a mixed swamp containing black spruce, white cedar, and tamarack. Located southeast of Three Lakes, the site can be easily accessed from Stella Lake Rd, west of USH…
Rice Lake (323/693)
*experimenting with post format; bear with me* Rice Lake State Natural Area contains the eponymous lake as well as surrounding wetland, sedge meadow, poor fen, and upland islands found within Thunder Lake State Wildlife Area in northeastern Oneida County, just south of Eagle River. The site can be easily accessed from a couple of Wildlife…
Sugar Camp Hemlocks (242/679)
Sugar Camp Hemlocks features a northern mesic forest with a dominant old-growth hemlock component. This natural area can be reached by taking Fire Lane (gravel) and parking along the road. The site abuts a house that is seemingly in the middle of nowhere so take care to avoid trespassing on private property. Despite our early…
Holmboe Conifer Forest (241/679)
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 The directions as described by the DNR are a bit out of date and I believe they pre-date the Taylor Park nursing home that was built adjacent to the site on Boyce Drive….
Tomahawk Lake Hemlocks, SNA #510 (223/675)
Tomahawk Lake Hemlocks features a northern mesic forest with hemlock and yellow birch on rolling topography betwen Tomahawk and Little Carr Lakes. Kettle depressions are found throughout the site. Park on Rainbow Road, near the intersection with Robin Road and beyond the entrance to the Macnaughton Correctional Center. Hemlock forests are one of my favorite…
Finnerud Pine Forest, SNA #31 (222/675)
Finnerud Pine Forest encompasses an old-growth red pine forest, bog, and lake shoreline. The site is owned by the University of Wisconsin System via the Board of Regents and is managed by the UW Arboretum. Visits require advanced permission. I am grateful to the UW Arboretum for allowing me to visit the several natural areas…
Pat Shay Lake, SNA #446 (72/674)
Pat Shay Lake protects stands of old-growth hemlock and other mixed forests along with a bog, sedge meadow, and the eponymous lake. Access is available from several points along Butternut Lake and Knapp Roads. The easiest access to the lake is from the latter. The Hidden Lakes Trail within the CNNF skirts the southeastern edge…
Two Lakes Pine-Oak Forest, SNA #511 (56/674)
Two Lakes Pine-Oak Forest is actually located between three lakes and a conifer swamp. The easiest access is at the end of Will Jo Road which ends in a cul-de-sac followed by a hummocky walk though the swamp to the forest. My visit here was shorter than I would have liked due to the dwindling…
State Natural Areas of Wisconsin 