Photo by Aaron Carlson
Within Loon Lake Wildlife Area, Barron County. T35N-R14W, Section 29. 59 acres.
The gently rolling terrain of Loon Lake Woods supports a second-growth southern mesic hardwood forest of sugar maple and basswood with large red oaks common. Associates include red maple, white ash, white oak, paper birch, and yellow birch. Tall shrubs include beaked hazelnut, alternate-leaved dogwood, and arrow-wood, which is generally sparse to moderate in density. Ironwood, and American hop-hornbeam are present as small trees in the understory. The groundlayer contains species such as maidenhair fern, zigzag goldenrod, large-flowered bellwort, sessile-leaved bellwort, bishop's-cap, wild geranium, interrupted fern, violets, and sedges. Several ephemeral kettle ponds are scattered through the area with black ash, alder, and wetland herbs including sensitive fern, marsh marigold, wild calla, water-parsnip, blue flag iris, and common water-hemlock. Birds include broad-winged hawk, least flycatcher, yellow-throated vireo, northern waterthrush, veery, scarlet tanager, and blackpoll, Tennessee, chestnut-sided, and Canada warblers. Loon Lake Woods is owned by the DNR and was designated a State Natural Area in 2003.
From the intersection of Highways 63 and 48 in Cumberland, go south on 63 4.6 miles, then west on 18½-19½ Avenue 3.1 miles, then south on 1st Street 0.3 mile to a small parking area east of the road. Walk east into the site.
Loon Lake Woods 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]