Nature

Nature lovers will find this park loaded with interesting living things. Spanning the boundary of Wisconsin's North Central Forest and Superior Coastal Plain ecological landscapes, the park is home to a rich variety of species.

A 500-acre area around the falls has been designated as a State Natural Area.

Trees and other plants

Beautiful hemlock, sugar maple, white pine and yellow birch forests may be seen. Second-growth forests with red oak, ironwood, paper birch, aspen, basswood, red pine and other trees blanket many parts of the park. The gorges are bordered by white cedar trees. Hundreds of species of plants are available for study, observation and photography.

Mammals

Animals most commonly seen in the park area include deer, fishers, black bears, raccoons, chipmunks, skunks and red squirrels. Gray squirrels, gray wolves and porcupines also live in the park and may be seen. Fishers have reduced the number of porcupines. Elk were recently reintroduced west of the park.

Birds

Birdlife is abundant, with perhaps as many as 200 species living in or passing through the park in a given year. You will often hear the coarse caw of the big northern raven, you may often see a great pileated woodpecker and you will sometimes be scolded by sassy chickadees. There are ruffed grouse, eagles, turkey vultures and loons in the park.

Reptiles, amphibians and insects

There are five species of snakes, none of them poisonous, wood turtles, many wood frogs and a few other amphibians. Pretty banded purple and tiger swallowtail butterflies are common in June and July.

Walk the Doughboys' Nature Trail to learn more about the park's geology and history.