Blue River Sand Barrens State Natural Area

dnr.wi.gov

The unstable, sandy soil of this 130-acre terrace along the Wisconsin River is one of the state's largest and best examples of a dry prairie-like landscape and -ômoving-ö sand dune communities. Moving sands are shaped by the wind, creating -ôblowouts-ö or large unvegetated depressions. A scattered forest of black and Hill-Æs oaks help to stabilize the sand in other areas providing habitat for false heather and bearberry that have adapted to the dry and harsh conditions. Reptiles like the six-lined racerunner live here along with many species of grassland birds and river turtles that nest in the dunes.

Wightman Rd
Blue River, WI 53518

From Blue River, go east on Hwy. 133 for 1.9 miles, then north on Wightman Road 0.25 mile to the southeast corner of the site. Parking is along the road. This property lies within the Lower Wisconsin State Riverway.