Pine Island Savanna (244/679)

Pine Island Savanna encompasses one the largest floodplain savanna in the state. Located along the Wisconsin River and spanning the Columbia-Sauk Counties border, portions of the site are accessible from land, while the highest quality savanna is located on an island.  A boat launch and parking area are both found along Levee Road between CTH…

Van Loon Floodplain Savanna (234/679)

Van Loon Floodplain Savanna is, as its siter site Van Loon Floodplain Forest, found within the Van Loon Wildlife Area along the Black River in La Crosse County.  The access directions as described on the DNR site, are not recommended to put it mildly.  They describe walking 1 mile along the Seven Bridges trail and then north…

Hogback Prairie (208/675)

The focus of Hogback Prairie is a ridge with a narrow crest and steep slopes of equal gradient.  Dry prairie is found on the eastern and western slopes, while oak woods and an overgrown oak savanna are found to the south.  The natural area is composed of 5 separate parcels accessible by local roads.  Three…

Limery Ridge Savanna (205/675)

Limery Ridge Savanna features savanna and dry prairie communities on one of the last remaining undeveloped bluffs in Wisconsin along the Mississippi River.  Below the bluff is a southern mesic forest.  The site is located along STH 35, aka the Great River Road, but there is no designated parking area.  Additionally, it turns out that…

Rose Lake, SNA #538 (64/674)

Rose Lake is a shallow seepage lake in Jefferson County surrounded by rich wetlands and prairie/savanna in the process of restoration.  Rose Lake SNA overlaps with Dorothy Carnes County Park and vice versa.  The main access point is via Radloff Lane which leads to a large parking lot and picnic area.  A trailhead is also…

Swenson Wet Prairie, SNA #64 (53/674)

Swenson Wet Prairie contains a small wet-mesic prairie and sedge meadow as well as a degraded savanna and old river channels.  It is easily found at the corner of CTH T and Smith Rd with a large parking area found off of the latter.  It is part of the expansive Avon Bottoms State Wildlife Area…