State Natural Areas_Content Page_Meadow Valley Barrens_576

Meadow Valley Barrens

No. 576

576_meadowvalleybarrens.jpeg

Photo by Thomas A. Meyer/DNR

 

Situated in the bed of Glacial Lake Wisconsin, Meadow Valley Barrens supports a Hill's and oak dominated barrens with scattered jack pine throughout. White and red pine are also present. Shrubs are moderately dense with early low blueberry, huckleberry, and sweet fern. Pennsylvania sedge is dominant in many areas. However, with canopy thinning and prescribed fire many barrens plants are favorably competing including big bluestem, little bluestem, gray goldenrod, sky-blue aster, flowering spurge and poverty panic grass. Three rare insects occur here including a barrens specialist. Meadow Valley Barrens is owned by the US Fish and Wildlife Service and leased by the DNR. It was designated a State Natural Area in 2008.

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. Trails, if present, are typically undesignated footpaths. If a developed trail is present, it will normally be noted on the SNA map and/or under the "Access" 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.

Allowable activities: DNR-owned land

In general, the activities listed below are allowed on all DNR-owned SNA lands. Exceptions to this list of public uses, such as SNAs closed to hunting, are noted under the "Access" tab above and posted with signs on site.

Prohibited activities: all 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
  • 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 Meadow Valley Wildlife Area, Juneau County. T19N-R2E, Sections 8, 21, 28, 29. 631 acres.

Driving directions

For the northern unit: From Mather, go east on County H 0.9 miles. Walk south into the site. For the southern unit: From Mather, go east and south on County H 4.7 miles. The site lies east of the road.

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]

Meadow Valley Barrens is owned by: Wisconsin DNR