Hunting River Alders
No. 527
Hunting River Alders is a fairly extensive wetland of alder thicket, shrub-carr, and conifer swamp situated along an undeveloped, low-gradient stretch of the Hunting River. Although the dominant plant over much of the site is alder, pockets of willow-dogwood and a black spruce/tamarack swamp are also present. This stretch of river is wide, turbid, and sluggish. Common aquatic plants are water-lilies, duckweed, and a few pondweeds including common, flat-stemmed, and long-leaved pondweed. Numerous showy forbs can be found in the ground flora along the stream banks. Plants include skullcaps, spotted Joe-Pye-weed, turtlehead, touch-me-not, and asters. This site provides quality habitat for many animals such as river otters, beavers, wood ducks, mallards, and alder flycatchers. Hunting River Alders is owned by Langlade County and was designated a State Natural Area in 2006.
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 usually 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.
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 Langlade County Forest, Langlade County. T34N-R11E, Sections 29-32. 104 acres.
Driving directions
The area is best seen by canoe. From the intersection of Highway 45 and County Road T just south of Summit Lake, go east on County Road T for 3.5 miles, then north on Fitzgerald Dam Road for 2.5 miles, then west on Rice Bed Road for about 1.1 miles to a carry-in canoe landing. Canoe upstream to 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.
Hunting River Alders is owned by: Langlade County