Wisconsin State Natural Areas Program
Brant Brook Pines (No. 149)

Overview

Location

Within Governor Knowles State Forest and along the St. Croix National Scenic Riverway, Burnett County. T39N-R19W, Sections 16, 17, 20, 29, 30, 31. 498 acres.

Access

From the intersection of County Highways F and D at the north edge of Grantsburg, go north on F 3.5 miles, then west on Bloom Road 2 miles, then north on Gile Road 0.75 miles to the Brant Brook Pines Ski Trail parking lot at the right angle corner. Follow the hiking/ski trail northwest into the area.

Description

Description

Brant Brook Pines is an old-growth stand of large red pines along the St. Croix River estimated to have originated in the mid 1880's. The northern dry-mesic forest is dominated by red pine with white and jack pines, Hill's oak, basswood, large-toothed aspen, and white birch. A narrow swale of black ash nearly divides the area. On the elevated river terrace above the pines is a dense forest of small oaks while a more mature swamp hardwood forest of oak, black ash, and red maple occurs on the low terrace below the pines. The herbaceous layer contains numerous fern species including bracken, spinulose wood, and ostrich along with common early summer species such as wild geranium and columbine. Brant Brook, a steep gradient, sandy-bottomed stream deeply incised into the river terrace flows through the site. Fed by numerous seeps, the narrow cold water stream supports native brook trout. Two uncommon birds, black and white warbler (Mniotilta varia) and yellow-throated vireo (Vireo flavifrons), inhabit the forest. Brant Brook Pines is owned by the National Park Service and the DNR. It was originally designated a State Natural Area in 1979 and expanded in 2002 to include the St. Croix National Scenic Riverway.

Maps

The WDNR'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. Therefore, while the majority of SNAs are open to the public, access may vary accordingly. 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 land owner 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.

• Guidebook Map [PDF, 79 KB]
• Detailed Map [PDF, 157 KB]
• Line Map [PDF, 33 KB]

Activities

Please come prepared for your visit. Amenities vary from site to site with most SNAs being primitive and without facilities. See Guidelines for Visitation for details.

Allowable Activities

Most DNR-owned SNAs allow:

• Hiking
• Hunting
• Fishing
• Trapping
• Skiing

Some exceptions apply. Properties closed to the public or closed to specific use, such as hunting, will be posted.

***For non-DNR-owned SNAs: Additional use guidelines may apply. Please verify any use restrictions with the landowner or contact the SNA Program. Landowners may require additional permits or restrict the number of hunters at a given SNA to provide a quality hunting experience. SNA landowners can be found at the bottom of each SNA description page.

Prohibited Activities

• Horseback riding
• Rock climbing
• Vehicles, including bicycles, ATVs, aircraft, and snowmobiles except on trails and roadways designated for their use
• Collecting of plants (including fruits, nuts, or edible plant parts), animals, fungi, rocks, minerals, fossils, archaeological artifacts, soil, downed wood, or any other natural material, alive or dead

Please note that a permit is required for scientific collection and research on State Natural Areas. For more information, contact Thomas Meyer, State Natural Areas Program Specialist.

For more information on rules governing state-owned SNAs and other state lands, please consult Wisconsin's Administrative Code Chapter NR 45 (exit DNR)