Cedarburg Beech Woods
No. 61
Photo by Thomas A. Meyer/DNR
Cedarburg Beech Woods features a southern mesic forest dominated by beech and sugar maple. The southern portion of the site is situated on rolling topography and has a mature forest of sugar maple, American beech, and white ash. The northeast portion grades into yellow birch, tamarack, and white cedar lowlands. The northern part of the site is located on level ground and contains a dense stand of smaller trees, reflecting its more recent history of logging.
Sugar maple, white ash, and American beech are dominant but shade-intolerant species such as shagbark hickory and red oak are present in high numbers. Groundlayer composition is similar in both portions, consisting of trillium, jack-in-the-pulpit, wild geranium, bloodroot, hepatica, and false Solomon's seal. Seven species of ferns are located in the area. The soil is Hochein loam over glacial till. Cedarburg Beech Woods is owned by the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee and was designated a State Natural Area in 1968.
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.
Non-DNR lands
Entrance fees: For non-DNR-owned SNAs, we are unaware of any vehicle or admission fees. However, please contact the landowner for more information.
Hunting and trapping
Other activities
Other allowable activities such as - but not limited to camping, geocaching and bicycling are determined by the landowner. Please contact them directly or visit their websites for details.
Location
Ozaukee County. T11N-R21E, Section 30 SE¼. 74 acres.
Driving directions
From Saukville go west on Hwy. 33 four miles, then south on Blue Goose Road two miles to the UW-Milwaukee Field Station [exit DNR].
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.
Cedarburg Beech Woods is owned by: The UW Board of Regents