Wisconsin State Natural Areas Program
Battle Bluff Prairie (No. 177)

Overview

Location

Vernon County. T11N-R7W, Section 2, 3, 4, 10. 348 acres.

Access

To access the northern bluff prairie, from the junction of Highways 82 and 35 in DeSoto, go north on 35 2.7 miles, then east on Battle Hollow Road 0.25 mile. Park along the road and walk north. To access the southern bluff prairie, continue another 0.3 mile on Battle Hollow Road. Park 50 feet west of the trailer home and garage. Walk southeast up the slope. Please remain on the signed DNR land.

Description

Description

Battle Bluff Prairie, the site of one of the Black Hawk War battles contains southern dry forest and a south-facing dry prairie on a steep slope. The diverse prairie flora is interspersed with limestone boulders, sandstone outcrops, and a few stunted trees. More than 80 species of native prairie plants have been identified. Grasses include big and little blue-stem, side-oats grama, hairy grama, Canada wild-rye, and needle grass. Forbs include lyre-leaved rock-cress, butterfly milkweed, Illinois tick-trefoil, northern bedstraw, yellow-star grass, wild bergamot, rough blazing-star, prairie phlox, and bird's-foot violet. On the top and at the bottom the prairie gives way to forest dominated by oaks, birch, and basswood. The wind-eroded sandstone outcrops and limestone boulders contain a number of unusual plants such as cliff brake and Canada yew. The bluff rises some 480 feet to the top where one has a clear view for many miles to the south across the Mississippi River. The rapid warming of the steep, south-facing slope forms convective thermals that are well known and used by migrating diurnal raptors. Battle Bluff Prairie is owned by the DNR and was designated a State Natural Area in 1983.

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.

• Detailed Map [PDF, 305 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)