Wisconsin State Natural Areas Program
Baileys Harbor Boreal Forest And Wetlands (No. 284)

Overview

Location

Door County. T30N-R28E, Sections 2, 11, 14. T31N-R28E, Section 35. 463 acres.

Access

From the intersection of State Highway 57 and County Highway Q north of Baileys Harbor, go northeast on Q 3.5 miles to Cana Island Road, then go south (right) 0.1 mile and park along the road at the T intersection where Cana Island Road splits to form a triangle. Walk south along Cana Island Road 0.3 miles, then east into the natural area. Look for SNA signs marking the site's boundary.

Description

Description

Baileys Harbor Boreal Forest and Wetlands contains a unique and diverse landscape, influenced by the local climate along the northeastern coast of the Door Peninsula. Cooler springs and summers, warmer falls and winters, and reduced evaporation rates have allowed northern species and a boreal forest to thrive here, far south of their normal range. Balsam fir and white spruce dominate the forest, which grades into northern wet-mesic forest of white cedar, white pine, paper birch, and hemlock. Many orchids and rare plants find refuge in the forest, including the federally-threatened dwarf lake iris (Iris lacustris). The natural area protects over 1.5 miles of undeveloped Lake Michigan shoreline. An extensive alkaline rockshore, or bedrock beach, is exposed during periods of low lake levels. Bird's-eye primrose (Primula mistanssinica), small fringed gentian (Gentianopsis procera), and tufted hair grass (Deschampsia cespitosa) are among the uncommon species thriving on the open dolomite flats. The forested communities support a wide variety of birds associated with boreal habitats, including yellow-bellied flycatcher, Blackburnian warbler, and merlin. Migratory shorebirds and waterfowl are attracted to the undeveloped shoreline. This area is one of the few known nesting sites in Wisconsin for the common goldeneye, a diving duck that nests in forest tree cavities. Baileys Harbor Boreal Forest and Wetlands is owned by the DNR and was designated a State Natural Area in 1995.

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, 243 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)