State Natural Areas_Content Page_Blueberry Trail_577

Blueberry Trail

No. 577

577_blueberry_trail.jpeg

Photo by Thomas A. Meyer/DNR

 

Blueberry Trail features a relatively undisturbed floodplain forest along a meandering, free-flowing stretch of Beaver Creek. The stream is deeply embedded in the sand, with steep banks. Dominant trees are river birch, oak, pine, and red maple. In places, the forest grades into sedge meadow/poor fen, bluejoint meadow, and tamarack swamp. Just north of the creek is a white pine-red maple swamp, a community type that is restricted to the central sand plains area.

Common understory plant species include huckleberry, cinnamon fern, skunk cabbage, yellow Bluebeard lily, and bracken fern. Rare plants include yellow screw-stem, long sedge, crossleaf milkwort, and bog fern. Two rare birds have been present during the breeding season.

Other birds include whip-poor-will, least flycatcher, golden-winged warbler, Nashville warbler, ovenbird, mourning warbler, and scarlet tanager. Blueberry Trail is owned by the US Fish and Wildlife Service and leased by the DNR. It was designated a State Natural Area in 2008.

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. Trails, if present, are typically undesignated footpaths. If a developed trail is present, it will normally be noted on the SNA map 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.

Entrance fees: Except for Parfrey's Glen, the Cambrian Outlook in the Dells of the Wisconsin River, SNAs within State Parks and some within State Forests, all other DNR-owned SNAs do not have any admission fees. For more information, see Wis. Admin. Code NR 45. For non-DNR-owned SNAs, we are unaware of any vehicle or admission fees. However, please contact the landowner for more information.

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.

  • Hiking
  • Fishing
  • Cross country skiing
  • Hunting
  • Trapping
  • Scientific research (permit required)
  • Outdoor education
  • Wild edibles (What is this?)
  • Pets (Rules)
  • Wildlife viewing

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 the Meadow Valley Wildlife Area, Juneau County. T18N-R2E, Section 6. T19N-R2E, Section 31. 251 acres.

Driving directions

From the intersection of County H and Highway 173 in Mather, go south on 173 for 1.8 miles, then southeast on Crescent Road for 4.4 miles, then east on Drake Avenue/Mulloney Road for 1.2 miles. Walk north into the site.

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]

 

 

Blueberry Trail is owned by: Wisconsin DNR