Area: 4366 Acres

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Hiking Difficulty: C, D

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This Wildlife Area, established in 1967, featured a choice of name that was inspired by the once important village of Dunnville. Dunnville was a prominent community when steamboat transportation was booked because of its location near the confluence of two rivers – the Chippewa and Red Cedar. The Lower Chippewa River State Natural Area was established in 2000 in recognition of the fact that it serves as the home to more rare species than any other location of similar size in Wisconsin.

Birds of Interest: Red-headed Woodpecker, Henslow’s Sparrow, Lark Sparrow, Bell’s Vireo, Wild Turkey, and Woodcock

• Located near the confluence of two rivers – the Chippewa and Red Cedar

• A large oak savanna restoration lies along the northeast edge of the prairie

• To the west of the savanna, there is a curving oxbow lake that encircles nearly half the prairie: perfect conditions for viewing water-loving wildlife

• Efforts to manage this diverse landscape include burning, mowing, chemical treatment and logging; these practices make the prairie and savanna plots as large and sustainable as possible

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Directions: Located between Menomonie and Durand, bound by the Chippewa River on the south and County Hwy. Y and 210th Ave. on the north. Access to this property can be gained through 4 parking areas off of Hwy. Y or through multiple parking areas off Town roads: 524th St., 580th St., 640th St., and 660th St. Access to the south side of the property is also possible via boat from the Chippewa River.