Plants and Animals of Copper Falls State Park

Nature lovers will find this park loaded with interesting living things. Spanning the boundary of Wisconsin's North Central Forest and Superior Coastal Plain ecological landscapes, the park is home to a rich variety of species.

Children age 3 and up and their parents can participate in the Wisconsin Explorer program at Copper Falls.

A 500-acre area around the falls has been designated as a state natural area.

Trees and other plants

Beautiful hemlock, sugar maple, white pine, and yellow birch forests may be seen. Second-growth forests with red oak, ironwood, paper birch, aspen, basswood, red pine, and other trees blanket many parts of the park. The gorges are bordered by white cedar trees. Hundreds of species of plants are available for study, observation, and photography.

Cool valleys and slopes exhibit a profusion of ferns, clubmosses, wild flowers, and herbs.
DNR Photo by Bonnie Gruber

Mammals

Animals most commonly seen in the park area include deer, fishers [exit DNR], black bears, raccoons, chipmunks, skunks, and red squirrels. Gray squirrels, gray wolves, and porcupines also live in the park and may be seen. Fishers have reduced the number of porcupine. Elk were recently reintroduced west of the park.

Birds

Bird life is abundant, with perhaps as many as 200 species living in or passing through the park in a given year. You will often hear the coarse caw of the big northern raven, you may often see a great pileated woodpecker, and you will some times be scolded by sassy chickadees. There are ruffed grouse, eagles, turkey vultures and loons in the park.

Reptiles, Amphibians, and Insects

There are a five species of snakes, none of them poisonous, wood turtles, many wood frogs, and a few other amphibians. Pretty banded purple and tiger swallowtail butterflies are common in June and July.

Walk the Doughboys' Nature Trail to learn more about the park's geology and history.

For more information, ask

Benjamin Bergey, manager,
Copper Falls State Park
36764 Copper Falls Road
Mellen, WI 54546.
(715) 274-5123