Oshkosh-Larsen Trail Prairies
No. 155
Photo by D. Kind
Oshkosh-Larsen Trail Prairies features a series of three low prairie remnants along a 4-mile segment of a former railroad right-of-way. The prairie contains a diversity of native prairie species. Grasses include little blue-stem, Indian grass, prairie drop-seed, and prairie cord grass. Forbs include heath aster, shooting star, sunflowers, blazing star, downy phlox, rattlesnake root, mountain mint, compass plant, prairie dock, Riddell's goldenrod, downy gentian, stiff gentian, and valerian. The wet-mesic prairie remnants are especially noteworthy because of their location at the northeastern edge of the prairie-oak savanna region in Wisconsin. Oshkosh-Larsen Trail Prairies are owned by Winnebago County and were designated a State Natural Area in 1980.
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.
Non-DNR lands
Entrance fees: For non-DNR-owned SNAs, we are unaware of any vehicle or admission fees. However, please contact the landowner for more information.
Hunting and trapping
Other activities
Other allowable activities such as - but not limited to camping, geocaching and bicycling are determined by the landowner. Please contact them directly or visit their websites for details.
Location
Along the Wiowash State Trail, Winnebago County. T19N-R16E, Sections 7, 8, 17. T20N-R16E, Sections 31, 32. 13 acres.
Driving directions
From the Wiowash State Trail crossing at County Highway G in Allenville, hike/bike the trail north or south. Segments can also be accessed at town and county road crossings.
The DNR'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. 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.
Oshkosh-Larsen Trail Prairies is owned by: Winnebago County