Wisconsin State Natural Areas Program
Haley Creek Swamp (No. 539)

Overview

Location

Florence County. T39N-R16E, Sections 13, 14, 15. 460 acres.

Access

From the intersection of Highway 101 and Highway 2 in Florence, go south on 101 about 10 miles, then west on Patten Lake Road 3.3 miles, then north on Rock Creek Road 2.3 miles. Walk west to Dorothy Lake or walk east to Mud Lake.

Description

Description

Haley Creek Swamp features an undisturbed wetland complex with two undeveloped spring ponds, fen, old-growth conifer swamp, and a mile-long cold-water stream segment. Black spruce, white cedar, and tamarack dominate the conifer swamp, which is surrounded by old-growth hemlock-hardwood forest on the uplands. This forest is the only remnant of the former Goodman timber block that still retains old forest characteristics with mature stand structure. Along the west edge of the site are cedar stands of superior quality that support numerous rare plants. Rare avifauna includes boreal chickadee (Poecile hudsonicus) and spruce grouse (Falcipennis canadensis). Haley Creek Swamp is owned by the DNR 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.

• Detailed Map [PDF, 157 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)