Photo by H. Iltis
Dane County. T9N-R11E, parts of sections 25, 36. T9N-R12E, parts of sections 30, 31. 604 acres.
Located on the western edge of Deansville Marsh Wildlife Area, Deansville Fen is an extensive wetland complex of native plant communities featuring a high quality calcareous fen grading into wet-mesic prairie and sedge meadow. The ground is hummocky and moderately wet with sedges such as tussock sedge, fen star sedge, and cotton grass, numerous grasses including blue-joint grass and big blue-stem, and widely scattered shrubs. The fen contains many rare and unusual plant species that thrive in the carbonate rich soils including grass-of-Parnassus, Kalm's lobelia, valerian, and Riddell's goldenrod. The area also harbors rare plants. Other species are fowl manna-grass, marsh marigold, turtlehead, spring-cress, northern bedstraw, swamp lousewort, marsh milkweed, and marsh aster. The wetland is also home to a diversity of rare and uncommon birds. Deansville Fen is owned by the DNR and was designated a State Natural Area in 1996.
From the intersection of State Highways 73 and 19 in Marshall, go west on 19 4.7 miles, then north on Twin Lane Road 3.3 miles, then east on Greenway Road 0.7 mile to a parking area. Walk 0.4-mile east, then south and cross the Maunesha River to the fen.
Deansville Fen 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]