State Natural Areas_Content Page_EmmonsCreekBarrens_365

Emmons Creek Barrens

No. 365

365_EmmonsCreek.jpeg

Photo by Josh Mayer

 

Located on sandy glacial outwash, Emmons Creek Barrens supports a semi-open oak savanna with scattered open-grown bur and white oaks. The dense patches of wild lupine, which dominate the ground layer, provide favorable habitats for an endangered butterfly. Other species include Pennsylvania sedge, little blue-stem, silky aster, cream wild indigo, prairie coreopsis, western sunflower, June grass, slender beard-tongue and showy goldenrod. Emmons Creek Barrens is owned by the DNR and a private individual. It was designated a State Natural Area in 2002.

Very few State Natural Areas have public facilities, but nearly all are open for a variety of recreational activities as indicated below. Generally, there are no picnic areas, restrooms, or other developments. Parking lots or designated parking areas are noted on individual SNA pages and maps. If a developed trail is present, it will normally be noted on the SNA map and/or under the Maps tab. A compass and topographic map or a GPS unit are useful tools for exploring larger, isolated SNAs.

The good majority of SNAs are isolated and have few or no facilities. Some SNAs have vehicle access lanes or parking lots, but their accessibility may vary depending on weather conditions. Parking lots and lanes are not plowed during winter. Hiking trails may be nonexistent or consist of undeveloped footpaths. A GPS unit or compass and a detailed topographic map are useful tools for exploring larger SNAs.

Hunting and trapping

This SNA has multiple landowners: Opportunities for hunting and trapping depend on the landowner. In general, most DNR-owned land allows hunting and trapping. Partner-owned land may have other rules (for example, university-owned lands do not allow hunting or trapping). Please contact them directly to find out about their rules for hunting and trapping. You can find a link to other owner websites under the Resources tab.

Allowable activities: DNR-owned land

The activities listed below are generally allowed on all DNR-owned SNA lands. Exceptions to this list of public uses, such as SNAs closed to hunting, are noted above and posted with signs on the property site.

Prohibited activities: all SNAs

  • Camping and campfires
  • Collecting of animals (other than legally harvested species), non-edible fungi, rocks, minerals, fossils, archaeological artifacts, soil, downed wood, or any other natural material, alive or dead.
  • Collecting for scientific research requires a permit issued by the DNR
  • Collecting of plants including seeds, roots or other non-edible parts of herbaceous plants such as wildflowers or grasses
  • Geocaching
  • Horseback riding
  • Rock climbing
  • Vehicles, including bicycles, ATVs, aircraft, and snowmobiles except on trails and roadways designated for their use.

For rules governing state-owned SNAs and other state lands, please consult Chapter NR 45 Wis. Admin. Code [exit DNR].

Location

Within Emmons Creek Fishery Area and Hartman Creek State Park, Portage County. T21N-R10E, Section 12. T21N-R11E, Section 7. 201 acres.

Driving directions

From the junction of Highways 10 and 54 in Waupaca, go west on 54 for 4.5 miles, then south on Hartman Creek Road to the State Park office and get a park map. Continue south on Hartman Creek Road, then go west on W. Windfeldt Lane to one of two parking areas. Follow the Ice Age Trail south into the natural area. One portion is within the State Park, and the other is within the Fishery and Wildlife Area.

The DNR'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. While the majority of SNAs are open to the public, access may vary according to individual ownership policies. 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 landowner 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. To create your custom map where you can zoom to a specific location, please use the DNR's Mapping Application.

Property Map [PDF]

Emmons Creek Barrens is owned by: Private and the Wisconsin DNR