Grandma Lake Wetlands State Natural Area

Grandma Lake Wetlands is a protected natural area in Florence County, Wisconsin, featuring a 44-acre lake surrounded by sphagnum bog mat and swamp forest dominated by tamarack and black spruce trees. The site covers around 495 acres total and displays the typical structure of a northern wetland system.

The area was designated as a Research Natural Area in 1991 and received its State Natural Area status in 1996 from the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources. This recognition protected it as an important ecological site.

The wetlands support rare plant species like bog arrow-grass and dragon's mouth orchid that you can spot along the trails. These plants thrive in the specific conditions here and shape what you see when you walk through the area.

Access is available through a walking trail from Grandma Lake Road, marked by a brown breeding bird survey fencepost near Tie Mill Road. The trail is clearly marked and makes it easy to explore the area on foot.

The lake basin formed in a depression from the last glacial period, creating specific conditions for an unusual plant community. This explains why one of Wisconsin's few populations of bog rush thrives here.

Inception: 1996

GPS coordinates: 45.81690,-88.61310

Latest update: December 14, 2025 18:43