Crandon Ribbed Fen
No. 590
Crandon Ribbed Fen features a patterned peatland community - a unique wetland type that contains a series of peat ridges (strings) and hollows (flarks) oriented parallel to the slope of the landform and perpendicular to the flow of groundwater. The strings vary in height, width, and spacing, but are generally less than one meter tall, resulting in a faint wave-like pattern that may be discernable only from aerial photographs. The flarks are saturated with inundated open lawns of sphagnum mosses, sedges, and rushes, while the strings are dominated by sedges, shrubs, and scattered, stunted trees. Within a patterned peatland the peat "landforms" differ significantly in nutrient availability and pH, which influences the assemblage of plant species.
The fen itself is surrounded by a narrow band of open black spruce swamp and embedded in a large area of black spruce swamp. The northern portion is a very wet, floating mat with springs and creeks. The southern end features distinctive patterning and varies from wet floating to firm with water-filled pools and strings, and wet to dry and crunchy flarks. Characteristic ribbed fen species include muck sedge, few-seeded sedge, white beak rush, sundews, horned bladderwort, and yellow-eyed grass. Patterned peatlands are only found at higher temperate and near-boreal latitudes of the northeastern and north-central United States and adjacent Canada. Crandon Ribbed Fen is owned by the DNR and was designated a State Natural Area in 2008.
Very few State Natural Areas have public facilities, but nearly all are open for a variety of recreational activities as indicated below. Generally, there are no picnic areas, restrooms, or other developments. Parking lots or designated parking areas are noted on individual SNA pages and maps. If a developed trail is present, it will normally be noted on the SNA map and/or under the Maps tab. A compass and topographic map or a GPS unit are useful tools for exploring larger, isolated SNAs.
The good majority of SNAs are isolated and have few or no facilities. Some SNAs have vehicle access lanes or parking lots, but their accessibility may vary depending on weather conditions. Parking lots and lanes are not plowed during winter. Hiking trails may be nonexistent or consist of undeveloped footpaths. A GPS unit or compass and a detailed topographic map are useful tools for exploring larger SNAs.
Entrance fees: Excepting Parfrey's Glen, the Cambrian Outlook in the Dells of the Wisconsin River, SNAs within State Parks and some within State Forests, all other DNR-owned SNAs do not have any admission fees. For more information, see Wis. Admin. Code NR 45 [exit DNR]. For non-DNR-owned SNAs, we are unaware of any vehicle or admission fees. However, please contact the landowner for more information.
Allowable activities: DNR-owned land
The activities listed below are generally allowed on all DNR-owned SNA lands. Exceptions to this list of public uses, such as SNAs closed to hunting, are noted above and posted with signs on the property site.
- Hiking
- Fishing
- Cross country skiing
- Hunting
- Trapping
- Scientific research (permit required [PDF])
- Outdoor education
- Wild edibles (What is this?)
- Pets (Rules)
- Wildlife viewing
Prohibited activities: all SNAs
Although a handful of sites allow activities like primitive camping (e.g. Lower Chippewa River on sand bars) or horseback riding (e.g. S. Kettle Moraine), the activities listed below are generally prohibited on DNR-owned SNAs.
- Camping and campfires
- Collecting of animals (other than legally harvested species), non-edible fungi, rocks, minerals, fossils, archaeological artifacts, soil, downed wood, or any other natural material, alive or dead.
- Collecting for scientific research requires a permit issued by the DNR
- Collecting of plants including seeds, roots or other non-edible parts of herbaceous plants such as wildflowers or grasses
- Drones: Flying-related activities, including the use of drones, hang-gliders and model airplanes, are prohibited. Permission may be issued by the SNA Program for the use of drones for educational or research purposes
- Geocaching
- Horseback riding
- Rock climbing
- Vehicles, including bicycles, ATVs, aircraft, and snowmobiles except on trails and roadways designated for their use.
For rules governing state-owned SNAs and other state lands, please consult Chapter NR 45 Wis. Admin. Code [exit DNR].
Location
Forest County. T36N-R13E, Sections 7, 18. 96 acres.
Driving directions
There is no direct public access at this time. Please contact the State Natural Areas Program for more information: (608) 266-0394
The DNR's state natural areas prcomprisessed of lands owned by the state, private conservation organizations, municipalities, other governmental agencies, educational institutions and private individuals. While the majority of SNAs are open to the public, access may vary according to individual ownership policies. 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 landowner 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. To create your custom map where you can zoom to a specific location, please use the DNR's Mapping Application.
Crandon Ribbed Fen is owned by: Wisconsin DNR