Oxbow Rapids Upper Wolf River Natural Area

Located along the Upper Wolf River, Oxbow Rapids contains a northern wet-mesic forest with exceptionally large white cedars. This area of the Wolf River is known as "the oxbow" as it cuts through a substantial interlobate moraine producing a steep and wet seepage slope with numerous seep springs and several spring runs. The slope supports old-growth scattered hemlock, white cedar, black ash, and basswood. The groundlayer is dominated by spotted jewelweed and contains the uncommon lance-leaved grape fern. The bottomland downstream from the oxbow rapids has several pockets of old-growth white cedar and hemlock. The lands farther from the river are hardwoods of medium age. Bird life includes Canada warbler, magnolia warbler and blackburnian warbler. The river here is very scenic and undisturbed and the rapids are among the best white water in Wisconsin. Oxbow Rapids is owned by the DNR and was designated a State Natural Area in 1980.