Wisconsin State Natural Areas Program
Lower Tomahawk River Pines (No. 588)

Overview

Location

Oneida County. T36N-R6E, Sections 9, 16. 272 acres.

Access

From the intersection of County K and State Highway 47 north of Rhinelander, go west on K 12.8 miles, then continue west on Swamp Lake Road 2.2 miles, then south on Prairie Lake Road 1.7 miles to the northwest corner of the site. The site is also accessible by boat. The site is also accessible by boat. Put in at the Bearskin Trail crossing off County Highway L and canoe downstream about 3 miles to the site.

Description

Description

Lower Tomahawk River Pines features mature stands of dry-mesic pine forest, which were historically prevalent over large portions of this ecoregion but are now rare and diminishing. This site is one of the few tracts of relatively intact, natural origin pine forest along this portion of the Tomahawk River corridor. Historical vegetation indicates this area was part of a larger Pine Barrens ecosystem that developed on the outwash plains associated with the Lower Tomahawk and Wisconsin Rivers. Mature stands of fire origin, mixed pine forest border the lower reaches of the Tomahawk River and Swamp Creek. Understory species include large-leaved aster, pipsissewa, bunchberry, trailing arbutus, wintergreen, twinflower, shining clubmoss, princess pine, and bracken fern. Associated wetlands include northern sedge meadow, alder thicket, and tamarack swamp. Scattered silver maples are found along the wide floodplain of the river. In this stretch, the Tomahawk River is wide and slow moving with a sand and muck bottom. Bird life includes golden-crowned kinglet, yellow-bellied sapsucker, pine warbler, and yellow-rumped warbler. Rare species include the state-threatened pygmy snaketail dragonfly, which requires clean, forested, fast-flowing streams for survival. It is one of the least tolerant groups of aquatic insects to perturbations in water quality. Protection of the forest river corridor will be of benefit to this and other Species of Greatest Conservation Need. Lower Tomahawk River Pines is owned by the DNR and was designated a State Natural Area in 2008.

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, 292 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)