Glenn Creek Barrens
No. 634
Photo by E. Epstein
Glenn Creek Barrens is situated on the sandy uplands along both sides of Glenn Creek just east of its confluence with Robinson Creek. This site features superb pine barrens with jack pine, white pine, and black oak. The denser stands of jack pine are quite open underneath except for scattered thickets of hazelnut. In the late 1990s, the northern stands of jack pine were thinned by an outbreak of budworm, which killed or seriously damaged roughly 50% of the trees. While this native needle-feeding caterpillar is generally considered the most significant pest of jack pine in the North Central Region, it has evolved to play an integral part in perpetuating jack pine ecosystems. After the outbreak, the ground layer responded with vigorous growth by many barrens species. Plants include little bluestem, June grass, flowering spurge, lyrate rock-cress, bastard toadflax, whorled loosestrife, long-leaved bluets, northern slender lady's-tresses and dwarf milkweed. This site also supports a rare butterfly. Glenn Creek Barrens is owned by Jackson County and was designated a State Natural Area in 2010.
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
Within the Jackson County Forest, Jackson County. T20N-R3W, Section 24. 84 acres.
Driving directions
From the intersection of State Highway 12 and County O in Millston, go west on 12 0.9 miles to an ATV trailhead located west of the highway. Walk west on the trail 1.2 miles to the southern unit (near Marker 17.0) or continue on the trail across Glenn Creek 0.15 miles into the northern unit.
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.
Glenn Creek Barrens is owned by: Jackson County