Keeley Creek Natural Area, National Natural Landmark in Lake County, Minnesota, United States
Keeley Creek Natural Area is a protected forest landscape in Minnesota featuring dense stands of mixed pine and black spruce with scattered wetland areas. The terrain includes mature jackpine forests alongside upland bogs that create a varied woodland environment.
The area received designation as a Research Natural Area in 1942 when federal authorities set aside 640 acres for study purposes. Full National Natural Landmark status came in 1980, broadening protection to the entire landscape.
The natural area functions as an educational center where researchers study forest succession patterns and the effects of fire suppression on native plant communities.
The site lies within Superior National Forest and offers hiking trails for visitors exploring the woodland. Plan your visit during warmer months when paths are most accessible and wildlife activity peaks.
The forest composition here shifts due to fire suppression, altering the natural germination patterns that jackpine and black spruce depend on. Scientists study these changes to understand how fire shapes forest structure across decades.
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