Wisconsin State Natural Areas Program
Loon Lake Woods (No. 396)

Overview

Location

Within Loon Lake Wildlife Area, Barron County. T35N-R14W, Section 29. 59 acres.

Access

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.

Description

Description

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.

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, 142 KB]

Objectives

Site Objectives

Manage the site as a northern mesic forest reserve and an ecological reference area. Natural processes will determine the structure of the forest.

Management Approach

The property is primarily managed passively, allowing nature to determine the ecological characteristics of the site. Exceptions include control of invasive plants and animals, access to suppress wildfires, salvage of trees after a major wind event, and maintenance of existing facilities.

Site-Specific Considerations

• Ephemeral ponds would have no vehicle entry provisions in case of salvage operations.

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)