2024 Burnett County Guide

WILDLIFE AREAS B urnett County is home to 52,000 acres of State Wildlife Areas, the most of any Wisconsin county, and is the perfect place to visit to view birds and other wildlife. CREX MEADOWS WILDLIFE AREA I f the chance to see a rare Blanding’s turtle, the endangered Karner blue butterfly, a trumpeter swan family or the elusive grey wolf, or just the thought of immersing yourself in nature sounds appealing, look no further than our very own wetlands gem, Crex Meadows State Wildlife Area. Located just north of Grantsburg, this 30,000+ acre property of intensely managed marshland, prairies, flowages and forests is home to over 280 species of birds, 720 species of plants, 96 species of butterfly, and dozens of species of mammals, reptiles and amphibians. Nature enthusiasts come from around the world to witness the spring warbler migration and the fall gathering of 15,000+ Sandhill Cranes. Crex is part of the Lake Superior Northwoods Region of the Great Wisconsin Birding & Nature Trail and is at the south- west end of the Northwest Sands Ecological Landscape. The Crex Meadows Wildlife Education & Visitor Center welcomes guests year-round. Inside you will find interactive exhibits, ed- ucational videos and a welcoming staff waiting to answer your questions. Educational programming is offered throughout the year, including specialty hikes, wildlife festivals, guided tours and much more. NAMEKAGON BARRENS WILDLIFE AREA T he Namekagon Barrens Wildlife Area consists of more than 6,000 acres in northern Burnett and Washburn counties, and is part of the Northwest Sands Ecological Landscape. Its two units lie on either side of the Namekagon River where it flows westward toward the St. Croix River. The jack pine-scrub oak barrens habitat is a fire-loving community that is globally rare and rich with diverse prairie flora and fauna. Home to one of the largest remaining populations of sharp-tailed grouse and many other animals and plants, the barrens environment is shaped by its very sandy, droughty soils. The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources uses controlled burning to mimic the natural fires that were common pre-European set- tlement that helped to maintain the area as barrens. It is a ha- ven for wildlife enthusiasts, photographers, hikers and folks that love wild blueberry picking. AMSTERDAM SLOUGHS & FISH LAKE WILDLIFE AREAS T he Amsterdam Sloughs, another 6,000 acre property, fea- tures a diverse mix of marshes, flowages, swamp land and forests. Birding enthusiasts will most likely catch glimpses of the great blue herons, osprey and eagles here. Fish Lake Wild- life Area is 14,000 acres, and contains large sedge marshes - remnants of the 1,200 year old “Glacial Lake Grantsburg,” as well as vast brush prairie and native red pine forests. BurnettCountyFun.com ATTRACTIONS 18 for over 100 fresh and aged cheeses, gourmet products, craft beer, spirits, wine, and gifts. Enjoy breakfast and lunch at their Bistro or satisfy your sweet tooth with soft serve ice cream, malts, sundaes, and more. Ample parking and indoor/outdoor seating available. Check out their General Store nearby for brews, DNR licenses, hardware, gas, and more. Order online at burnettdairy.com anytime! Burnett Dairy Cheese Store 11631 State Rd. 70 Grantsburg, WI 54840 715-689-2468 CHEESE | WINE | ICE CREAM | BISTRO VISIT BURNETT DAIRY CHEESE STORE COME CLEAN. LEAVE CLEAN. GOVERNOR KNOWLES STATE FOREST G overnor Knowles State Forest is a 55-mile-long forest in northwestern Wisconsin that parallels the St. Croix Nation- al Scenic Riverway. It offers camping, paddling, hiking, horse- back riding, biking, hunting, fishing, cross-country skiing and snowmobiling opportunities. Three campgrounds (St. Croix, Trade River Equestrian and Sioux Portage Group) and nine primitive backpack campsites are found within 32,500 wood- ed acres. The Brant Pines ski trail offers groomed trails for cross country skiing. Hunters will find whitetail deer, turkey, black bear, squirrel, ruffed grouse and woodcock throughout the forest. It also encompasses several trout streams, of which, the Trade River and Wolf Creek are most popular for anglers. PHOTO: Trumpeter Swan, Crex Meadows Wildlife Area, Mary Conroy