Wisconsin State Natural Areas Program
Parfrey's Glen (No. 1)

Overview

Location

Within Devil's Lake State Park, Sauk County. T11N-R7E, Sections 14, 15, 22, 23. 508 acres.

Access

Parfrey's Glen is now open after being closed from significant flash flooding received last year.

From the intersection of Highways 78 and 113 in Merrimac, go north and west on 113 about 4.8 miles, then east on County DL 2.1 miles to a parking area on the north side of the highway. A trail leads north into the glen.

Visitation Guidelines: Parfrey’s Glen is open daily 6:00 a.m. - 8:00 p.m. Visitors must remain on the trail. Pets, food, and beverage are not allowed in the natural area. A State Park sticker is required.

Description

Description

Parfrey's Glen, Wisconsin's first State Natural Area, is a spectacular gorge deeply incised into the sandstone conglomerate of the south flank of the Baraboo Hills. The exposed Cambrian strata provide excellent opportunities for geological interpretation. The walls of the glen - a Scottish word for a narrow, rocky ravine - are sandstone with embedded pebbles and boulders of quartzite. The moss-covered walls are moist from seepage, cool and shaded. As a result, they support a flora more typical of northern Wisconsin with yellow birch, mountain maple, and red elder and several rare plant species, including the federally threatened northern monkshood (Aconitum noveboracense) and state-threatened round stemmed false foxglove (Agalinus gattingeri). Other rare species are cliff goldenrod (Solidago sciaphila), and two state-threatened birds, the cerulean warbler (Dendroica cerulea) and Acadian flycatcher (Empidonax virescens). Parfrey's Glen Creek, a fast, cold, hardwater stream flows through the gorge and harbors a very diverse insect fauna including a rare species of diving beetle (Agabus confusus) and a rare caddisfly (Limnephilus rossi). Parfrey's Glen is owned by the DNR and was designated a State Natural Area in 1952.

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.

• Guidebook Map [PDF, 43 KB]
• Detailed Map [PDF, 471 KB]

Management

Site Objectives

Manage the site as a reserve for southern dry-mesic forest and cliff communities, as a rare plant protection site, as a significant geological and archaeological site, and as an ecological reference area. Natural processes will primarily determine the structure of the forest and cliff communities. Provide opportunities for research and education on the highest quality native southern dry-mesic forests and cliff communities.

Management Approach

The native dominant tree species (primarily yellow birch and oak), are managed passively, and will convert over time to a more mesic forest condition. Passive canopy management will determine the ecological characteristics of the site. The old field areas at the base of the hill will be allowed to succeed naturally to a forested condition. Augmentation of the ground layer in the old field will only add species that historically would have been found on the site, using seeds or plugs from local genetic material species; this usually occurs in the early stages of restoration. Other allowable activities include control of invasive plants and animals, maintenance of existing facilities, and access to suppress wildfires.

Site-Specific Considerations

• Although removal of hazardous trees from over and near state-approved trails and field roads is an allowed activity, manipulation/removal of vegetation and soil disturbance must be minimized, and must have no impact on the rare species found at the site
• Roadside easement areas may be managed sporadically by the designated local, county or state managers

Recreation

Recreational opportunities vary among State Natural Areas. Please contact the landowner for details.

Allowable Activities

DNR-owned Lands

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

Hiking Cross country skiing Wildlife Viewing Scientific research (a permit is required) Hunting and Trapping

Fishing Outdoor education Wild edibles (what does this include?) Pets (rules)

Non-DNR Lands

Contact the landowner for details. See the "Additional Resources links" at the top of the 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 animals, non-edible fungi, rocks, minerals, fossils, archaeological artifacts, soil, downed wood, or any other natural material, alive or dead. Collecting for scientific research requires a permit issued by the DNR. Collecting of plants including seeds, roots or other non-edible parts of herbaceous plants such as wildflowers or grasses. Camping and campfires Geocaching

For more details see the "Visitation Guidelines". For the rules governing state-owned SNAs and other state lands, please consult Wisconsin's Administrative Code Chapter NR 45 (exit DNR)