Cherney Maribel Caves

State Natural Area (No. 48)

Location: Located within Cherney Maribel Caves County Park, Manitowoc County. T21N-R22E, Section 13. 8 acres.

Access: From the junction of I-43 and State Highway 147 one mile east of Maribel, go east on 147 0.3 mile, then north on County Highway R 0.6 mile to the entrance of Cherney Maribel Caves County Park, proceed 0.25 mile to a parking area, and hike east into the natural area.

Description: Located on the West Twin River, Cherney Maribel Caves contains a 50-foot limestone bluff, a rare occurrence within the glaciated region of Wisconsin. The "caves" in the side of the bluff are really shallow indentations caused by gaps in the black dolomite. A young beech-maple woodland dominates the uplands and contains a showy spring flora. Near the cliff edge hemlock joins the maple and beech in a narrow strip. The shaded cliff contains polypody, bulbet, and walking ferns. An endangered plant species is also present. At the cliff base and throughout the floodplain are large white cedars. The river bottom forest has many birds usually found farther north. Among these are winter wren, solitary vireo, blackburnian warbler, and yellow-bellied flycatcher. Cherney Maribel Caves is owned by Manitowoc County and was designated a State Natural Area in 1967.