Southwest Savanna Ecological Landscape
Regional Master Plan
The Southwest Savanna Ecological Landscape includes state parks, trails, natural areas, fishery areas, wildlife areas and the Southwest Wisconsin Grassland and Stream Conservation Area. The landscape covers all of Lafayette County, and portions of Grant, Green, Iowa and Dane counties. Yellowstone Lake, New Glarus Woods and Belmont Mound state parks are all included in this regional master plan.
Yellowstone Lake State Park
Planning Update
Yellowstone Wildlife Area Trail Designation and Improvements Variance
The Wisconsin DNR has initiated a variance process for the Southwest Savanna Regional Master Plan.
The Yellowstone Wildlife Area Trail Designation and Improvements Variance proposes the designation of the Wildlife Loop Trail, located where a 1-mile non-designated path currently exists at Yellowstone Wildlife Area, and authorizes related accessibility improvements to the trail. The undesignated facility currently affords visitors with excellent views of the lake and the inner lagoon area. Designation and improvements to the surface material would increase accessibility of the space, enabling more people to enjoy the experience and improve the sustainability and longevity of the facility.
Read the Proposed Yellowstone Wildlife Area Trail Designation and Improvements Variance [PDF]
Learn more about the property at the department’s Yellowstone Wildlife Area webpage.
Have Your Voice Heard!
The public may submit comments regarding the proposed variance to the Southwest Savanna Regional Master Plan through Jan. 29, 2026.
Comments and questions can be submitted to Natalie Avallone via email, phone or U.S. Mail.
Email: Natalie.Avallone@wisconsin.gov
Phone: 920-492-8183
U.S. Mail: Wisconsin DNR
Attn: Natalie Avallone
1027 W St Paul Ave
Milwaukee WI 53233
Regional Master Plan
The Southwest Savanna Regional Master Plan was approved by the Natural Resources Board in December 2021.
Amendments and Variances
The following amendments and variances to the regional plan have been approved.
Other Plan Changes
The following other plan changes have been approved.
Individual Property Plans
The Blue Mound State Park Master Plan was approved by the Natural Resources Board on May 26, 2021. Since the date of that approval the snowmobile trail authorized in the plan has been legally challenged. The result of this challenge is ongoing, and thus the snowmobile trail cannot be developed at this time. All other portions of the plan can be implemented as approved and described.
The interactive map below shows many of the larger, more popular DNR properties in the Southwest Savanna. All properties included in this planning region are listed in Appendix A of the plan document. View all properties in the region and access additional map data with the Property Planning Viewer.
Access a full-screen version of the Interactive Map of Southwest Savanna Regional Master Plan Properties. If the map is not loading, please be sure your pop-up blocker is turned off.