State Natural Areas_Content Page_HighwayKWoods_658

Highway K Woods

No. 658

658_NDMF.jpeg

Photo by Eric Epstein

 

Highway K Woods supports a second-growth northern dry-mesic forest situated on narrow, sandy ridges and knolls just east of the Wolf River. The canopy is dominated by white and red pine with some of the largest trees between 20 and 40 inches in diameter. Canopy associates include aspen, paper birch, red maple, and oaks (bur, white, red, Hill's). The shrub layer is comprised of hazelnut, blueberry, huckleberry, maple-leaved Viburnum and witch-hazel.

Characteristic herbaceous species include partridgeberry, wild sarsaparilla, Canada mayflower, American starflower, big-leaf aster, Pennsylvania sedge, and bracken fern. Indian cucumber root, a species of special concern, is also found here. Birds include the least flycatcher, great-crested flycatcher, wood thrush, blackburnian warbler, pine warbler, ovenbird, scarlet tanager, and rose-breasted grosbeak. Highway K Woods is owned by the DNR and was designated a State Natural Area in 2012.

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, topographic map, or 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 valuable 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 [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 Navarino Wildlife Area, Shawano County. T25N-R16E, Sections 17, 18. 32 acres.

Driving directions

From the intersection of County T and McDonald Road in the Town of Lunds, go south on McDonald Road for 1.5 miles, then west on S. Townline Road for 1.25 miles, then south on County K for 3 miles to the west edge of 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]

Highway K Woods is owned by: Wisconsin DNR

Management objectives and prescriptions

  • Limit active management to control invasive exotic species.
  • In the event of a blowdown toppling more than one-third of the canopy trees, a salvage operation may be considered to enhance the potential for oak regeneration.

Navarino Wildlife Area

Lower Wolf River Bottomlands Natural Resources Area Master Plan