Wisconsin State Natural Areas Program
Big Island (No. 384)

Overview

Location

Within the St. Croix National Scenic Riverway, Burnett County. T41N-R15W, Sections 4, 5. T41N-R16W, Sections 1, 2, 11. T42N-R14W, Section 30. T42N-R15W, Sections 25, 31-36. T42N-R16W, Section 36. 1450 acres. Section 30. T42N-R15W, Sections 25, 31-36. T42N-R16W, Section 36. 1450 acres.

Access

The area is best seen by boat. For walk-in access: from Riverside, go north on 35 across the bridge 0.7 mile, then east on Big Island Road 0.3 mile to an access lane. Cross the stream and walk south onto the island.

Description

Description

Big Island contains maturing examples of northern dry and dry-mesic forest, and northern wet forest along with forest seeps and a very diverse reach of the St. Croix River containing numerous aquatic invertebrates. The island rises about 100’ above the river and is forested with second growth aspen and paper birch with old-growth white pine and basswood occurring on north-facing slopes. Shrubs include nannyberry, American fly honeysuckle, eastern leatherwood, and northern bush-honeysuckle. The groundlayer is rich in plant species diversity and contains club-mosses, blueberries, maidenhair fern, wild sarsaparilla, blue cohosh, yellow-blue-bead lily, partridgeberry, and numerous spring ephemerals. The northwest and eastern tip of the island are lower and wetter with species such as white spruce, marsh bluegrass, northern blue flag iris, and wool-grass. Numerous seeps and north-south aspects add to the site variability creating numerous microhabitats for flora and fauna. Big Island is owned by the National Park Service and was designated a State Natural Area in 2002.

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, 199 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)