Plants and Animals at Amnicon Falls State Park

Amnicon Falls, with its water, forests, and fields, is a fine place to enjoy nature.

You may see deer, coyote, fox, raccoon, porcupine, ruffed grouse, and a variety of smaller animals if you quietly walk the park trails. Along the river you might see beaver, mink, or otter. Tracks, feeding signs, dens, sounds, and other evidence will tell you of an animal's presence even if you don't see it.

The park abounds with bird life. The best time to enjoy birds is early morning. Walk slowly and quietly along the trails and roads. Stop often. Listen for their songs. Watch everywhere—the ground, shrubs, small trees, and high in the treetops.

In early morning, the meadow along theThimbleberry Nature trail may have a layer of fog.
DNR Photo by Bonnie Gruber

Each species has its favorite places. You may borrow binoculars and bird field guides in the park office.

Here are some of the plants you can see along the Thimbleberry Nature Trail:

The thimbleberry has large leaves and bright red berries.

The forest is gradually expanding into a field. Years ago, redstone quarried nearby was loaded onto railroad cars here to be shipped to many cities.

Indian pipe, or Monotropa uniflora, is a flowering plant that has no chlorophyll and therefore none of the green color of most plants. It gets its food from organic matter around its roots and thrives in deep woods.

A bright red daddy longlegs climbs over a partly eaten mushroom. Did that little creature eat all that, or who did?

Mushrooms and related fungi come in a variety of colors and shapes. These were photographed at Amnicon Falls.

Puffballs	A yellow mushroom growing among green leaves resembles a flower until you look closely.

For more information about Amnicon Falls State Park, ask William Eldred, (715) 398-3000. The park's U.S. mail address is c/o Pattison State Park, 6294 S. State Road 35, Superior WI 54880.