Wisconsin State Natural Areas Program
St. Croix Ash Swamp (No. 148)

Overview

Location

Within Governor Knowles State Forest and along the St. Croix National Scenic Riverway, Burnett County. T37N-R20W, Section 3. T38N-R20W, Sections 34, 35. 283 acres.

Access

From the intersection of State Highway 48 and 70 in Grantsburg, go west on 70 four miles, then south on River Road 2.3 miles, then west and south on River Road 2.4 miles to an unmarked parking area at the southeast corner of the site.

Description

Description

St. Croix Ash Swamp features a range of forest types from mesic uplands adjacent to the St. Croix River through extensive low swamp to droughty uplands on the sandy plain above the river valley. The hardwood swamp is composed of basswood, black ash, American elm, yellow birch, white oak, and red maple with scattered white cedar, balsam fir, and white pine. On the forest floor are small pockets of standing water between the mossy hummocks. The flat sandy uplands are wooded with young oaks. The river valley contains very steep sides that rise nearly 100 feet above the swamp. Small spring fed streams and seepages have eroded small pockets and tributary valleys providing diverse microhabitats. The primary soils are Omega sand, Cathro muck, Rifle mucky peat, and Emmett loamy sand. Common nesting birds include winter wren, scarlet tanager, veery, ovenbird, red eyed vireo, and cerulean warbler, the latter here at its northern most range limit. St. Croix Ash Swamp is owned by the DNR and National Park Service. It was designated a State Natural Area in 1979 and later expanded to include the St. Croix National Scenic Riverway.

Maps

The WDNR's State Natural Areas Program is comprised of lands owned by the state, private conservation organizations, municipalities, other governmental agencies, educational institutions, and private individuals. Therefore, while the majority of SNAs are open to the public, access may vary accordingly. Public use restrictions may apply due to public safety, or to protect endangered or threatened species or unique natural features. Lands may be temporarily closed due to specific management activities. Users are encouraged to contact the land owner for more specific details.

The data shown on these maps have been obtained from various sources, and are of varying age, reliability, and resolution. The data may contain errors or omissions and should not be interpreted as a legal representation of legal ownership boundaries.

• Detailed Map [PDF, 160 KB]

Activities

Please come prepared for your visit. Amenities vary from site to site with most SNAs being primitive and without facilities. See Guidelines for Visitation for details.

Allowable Activities

Most DNR-owned SNAs allow:

• Hiking
• Hunting
• Fishing
• Trapping
• Skiing

Some exceptions apply. Properties closed to the public or closed to specific use, such as hunting, will be posted.

***For non-DNR-owned SNAs: Additional use guidelines may apply. Please verify any use restrictions with the landowner or contact the SNA Program. Landowners may require additional permits or restrict the number of hunters at a given SNA to provide a quality hunting experience. SNA landowners can be found at the bottom of each SNA description page.

Prohibited Activities

• Horseback riding
• Rock climbing
• Vehicles, including bicycles, ATVs, aircraft, and snowmobiles except on trails and roadways designated for their use
• Collecting of plants (including fruits, nuts, or edible plant parts), animals, fungi, rocks, minerals, fossils, archaeological artifacts, soil, downed wood, or any other natural material, alive or dead

Please note that a permit is required for scientific collection and research on State Natural Areas. For more information, contact Thomas Meyer, State Natural Areas Program Specialist.

For more information on rules governing state-owned SNAs and other state lands, please consult Wisconsin's Administrative Code Chapter NR 45 (exit DNR)