Wisconsin State Natural Areas Program
Camp Five Lake (No. 495)

Overview

Location

Within the Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest. Oconto County. T32N-R16E, Sections 9, 16. 69 acres.

Access

From the intersection of County Highway F and State Highway 32 in Lakewood, go south on 32 nearly 3 miles to the First South Branch of the Oconto River. The site lies east of the highway.

Description

Description

Camp Five Lake features a diversity of natural community types including a high quality northern wet-mesic forest dominated by white cedar. Numerous wetlands associated with Camp Five Lake and the First South Branch of the Oconto River are also present. The extensive cedar swamps support rare plant species including dragon’s-mouth and Carex tenuiflora growing on a sphagnum mat. Black spruce and tamarack dominated the northern wet forest. There is an unusual riparian corridor that contains northern sedge meadows and floating mat banks. The shallow, hard, drainage lake contains emergent aquatic plant beds, and groves of dead, flooded conifers. Hemlock increases in abundance near the cedar swamps. The hallmark of this complex is its remote nature and several under-represented wetland communities. Camp Five Lake is owned by the US Forest Service and was designated a State Natural Area in 2007.

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.

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)