Photo by Josh Mayer
Within Peninsula State Park, Door County. T31N-R27E, Sections 21, 28, 29. 130 acres.
Peninsula Park White Cedar Forest features a continuum of five distinct community types that change with elevation away from Green Bay. On the western side of the site, a one-acre open marsh dominated by bluejoint grass, reed grass, and rushes is found. Immediately to the east of the marsh is an open calcareous meadow on a lake dune with low juniper, gay-wings, and two rare plants. A wet-mesic conifer swamp dominated by white cedar and black and white spruce is located in the transition between the lower and upper beach zones. Impressive vertical cliffs of Niagara dolomite, vegetated with ferns and other cliff-dwelling plants, are found on the western side. A mixed upland forest dominated by white cedar, white birch, and sugar maple is found at the summit of the escarpment. The floor of the cedar-spruce forest lacks diversity but does contain such showy species as yellow lady's-slippers and Indian paint-brush. Bird life is characteristic of areas much farther north and includes winter wren, red-breasted nuthatch, Nashville, black-throated green, and Blackburnian warblers, ovenbird, and veery. Peninsula Park White Cedar Forest is owned by the DNR and was designated a State Natural Area in 1952.
From Fish Creek, go north on State Highway 42 about 0.5 mile to the south entrance to Peninsula State Park. Follow Shore Road north into the park and obtain a park map at the office. Access to the natural area is from Shore Road via the Sunset Trail, or Middle Road via Hemlock Trail. A Wisconsin State Park sticker must be displayed on all vehicles entering the park.
Peninsula Park White Cedar Forest is owned by:
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 own custom map where you can zoom to a specific location, please use the DNR's mapping application.
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. Trails, if present, are typically undesignated footpaths. If a developed trail is present, it will normally be noted on the SNA map and/or under the "Access" 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 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 fee. For more information, see Wis. Admin. Code NR 45. For non-DNR-owned SNAs, we are unaware of any vehicle or admission fees. However, please contact the landowner for more information.
In general, the activities listed below are allowed on all DNR-owned SNA lands. Exceptions to this list of public uses, such as SNAs closed to hunting, are noted under the "Access" tab above and posted with signs on site.
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.
For rules governing state-owned SNAs and other state lands, please consult Chapter NR 45 Wis. Admin. Code [exit DNR]