State Natural Areas_Content Page_CountyLineBarrensandForest_685

County Line Barrens and Forest

No. 685

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Photo by Ryan Magana

 

Located on the north side of the Totagatic River, County Line Barrens and Forest supports high-quality pine barrens, a mature northern dry forest in the western and southern portion of the site, and a young northern dry forest to the east. The pine barrens is dominated by young jack pine and northern pin oak with a low shrub layer that includes American hazelnut and low sweet blueberry. Occasional larger trees of red pine and white pine are scattered throughout. Grasses and forbs are prominent and include characteristic species such as big bluestem, little bluestem, June grass, fleabane, western sunflower, long-leaved bluets, rough blazing-star, hoary puccoon and prairie phlox. The mature northern dry forest has a moderately closed jack pine canopy of 50-65%. Groundlayer species include wood anemones, wild roses, big-leaved aster and bracken fern. The land slopes steeply down to the river where trees are larger on the bank and the slopes, likely due to a combination of factors including being spared from logging, protection from fire, and increased soil moisture nearer the river. The site is significant due to the protection and management of the globally rare pine barrens natural community type and in supporting several rare or declining species of birds. County Line Barrens and Forest is owned by the DNR and was designated a State Natural Area in 2017.

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.

Entrance fees: Excepting 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 [exit DNR]. 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.

Prohibited activities: all SNAs

Although a handful of sites allow activities like primitive camping (e.g. Lower Chippewa River on sand bars) or horseback riding (e.g. S. Kettle Moraine), the activities listed below are generally prohibited on DNR-owned 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
  • Drones: Flying-related activities, including the use of drones, hang-gliders and model airplanes, are prohibited. Permission may be issued by the SNA Program for the use of drones for educational or research purposes
  • 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 Totagatic Wild River property, Washburn County. T42N-R13W, Section 31. 338 acres.

Driving directions

From the intersection of US 53 and State Highway 77 in Minong, go west on 77 for 0.8 miles, then north on County I for 0.8 miles, then west on Nancy Lake Road for 9.7 miles, then south on County Line Road for 1.4 miles to a DNR parking area.

The DNR's state natural areas program comprises 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]

County Line Barrens and Forest is owned by: Wisconsin DNR