Wisconsin State Natural Areas Program
St. Croix Seeps (No. 387)

Overview

Location

Within the St. Croix National Scenic Riverway, Burnett County. T37N-R20W, Sections 8, 17, 20, 29, 30. 350 acres.

Access

From the intersection of County O and Highway 48 in Trade Lake, go west on O 13.7 miles to a parking area north of the road. The Sunrise Ferry hiking trail provides access to the site.

Description

Description

St. Croix Seeps contains a four-mile stretch of river and is one of the most diverse places along the St. Croix National Scenic Riverway for rare species. Here the terrace is very near the river and numerous seeps and spring runs emanate from the lower slopes of the steep, west facing bluff. This area supports a high quality black ash seepage swamp with yellow birch and red maple. Dominant groundlayer species include skunk cabbage, broom-like sedge, jewelweed, ostrich fern, eastern willow-herb, fowl manna grass, marsh bluegrass, and swamp aster. The southwest flank of the river bluff is forested with red pine and old-growth red oak and white pine. Below is a large flowing seepage run with a shady overstory of old-growth sugar maple and eastern hop-hornbeam. Understory species include American golden saxifrage, lady fern, and Pennsylvania sedge. These small, specialized habitats support large populations of very rare plant species such as the state threatened bog bluegrass (Poa paludigena) and drooping sedge (Carex prasina). Other common trees within the area include basswood, green ash, bitternut hickory, and hackberry. Associate herbaceous species are Virginia water-leaf, cut-leaved coneflower, rosy sedge, wild geranium, black snakeroot, and Jack-in-the-pulpit. This area of the St. Croix is also important habitat for numerous rare dragonfly and fish species including river redhorse (Moxostoma carinatum), gilt darter (Percina evides), and lake sturgeon (Acipenser fluvescens). St. Croix Seeps 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, 173 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)