Photo by Randy Hoffman
Within the Peshtigo River State Forest, Oconto County. T33N-R17E, Section 1. 351 acres.
Situated on gently rolling morainal and sandy outwash deposits, Lake Lackawanna features an undeveloped drainage lake surrounded by a diverse mosaic of relatively undisturbed wetlands. The shallow, 9-acre lake is fed from the north by a small unnamed stream that drains out of the south end of the lake. Lake Lackawanna supports floating-leaved and submergent aquatic macrophyte vegetation and is surrounded by a narrow border of southern sedge meadow, forested wetlands, hardwood swamp, and northern wet-mesic forest. South of the lake, northern cedar dominates the wet-mesic forest with black spruce, black ash, and balsam fir as canopy associates. The ground layer varies throughout with species including bluejoint grass, fowl manna grass, tussock sedge, three-fruited sedge, three-leaved goldthread, twinflower, naked miterwort, wild sarsaparilla, royal fern, orange jewelweed, and marsh marigold. Along the outlet stream is an alder thicket of alder, red-osier dogwood, sweet gale, and willows. Other characteristic species include red raspberry, wool-grass, and flat-top aster. Lake Lackawanna is owned by the DNR and was designated a State Natural Area in 2007.
From Crivitz, go west on County W nearly 20 miles, then north on La Fave Road 6 miles, then east on Bucks Ranch Road 1.4 miles, then continue east on Cauldron Falls Road 1 mile, then north on Boat Landing 11 Road 4 miles to the northern edge of the site.
Lake Lackawanna 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]