Wisconsin State Natural Areas Program
Eagle Oak Opening (No. 66)

Overview

Location

Within the Southern Unit Kettle Moraine State Forest, Waukesha County. T5N-R17E, Section 30. 90 acres.

Access

From the intersection of Highways 59 and Z four miles west of Eagle, go south on County Z 1.2 miles to a gated access road leading east and northeast to the site.

Description

Description

Eagle Oak Opening was the first oak opening found in a statewide search and contains an example of kettle hole moraine topography and large numbers of open-grown white and bur oaks. Most of the former oak opening has reverted to dry-mesic forest but there are areas where some of these prairie species can still be found. Species include big and little blue-stem, Indian grass, side-oats grama, prairie drop-seed, blue-eyed grass, prairie buttercup, alum-root, prairie smoke, New Jersey tea, bird's-foot and prairie violets, shooting-star, pale-spiked lobelia, white camas, goldenrods, and asters. There is also a showy display of pasque flowers in the spring. The area has many glacial formations including kettle holes with ephemeral ponds that are important habitat for amphibians. Eagle Oak Opening is owned by the DNR and was designated a State Natural Area in 1968.

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, 208 KB]
• Line Map [PDF, 37 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)