Morgan Coulee Prairie State Natural Area

Morgan Coulee Prairie State Natural Area (SNA)
Maiden Rock, Pierce county, WI
54-8 acres; dry prairie with spots of oak savanna, dry oak forest

Park Notes
The term 'coulee' in Wisconsin applies to valleys, typically with high steep walls. This SNA runs along a coulee bluff that opens into the Rush River valley. There are areas of undisturbed dry prairie, bur oak savanna, limestone outcrops, and a southern dry oak forest. Plants found here include a variety of grasses, asters, milkweeds, prairie-clover, blazing star, and larkspur.

There are no amenities. One just parks along the road at any spot along the southern boundary of the SNA (on 200th Ave) and walks north into the park. There are small signs at the southwest and southeast boundary corners. More info on the WI DNR webpage (link below).

Visits
July 4, 2021 | low 90s, dewpoint in low 60s, winds 13-18 mph
We decided to check out this SNA after visiting the nearby Wisconsin Rustic Road 51. From WI35 (Great River Road), we drove north on East River Road / 385th St then east on 200th Ave where we traveled along the half mile southern border of the SNA. 200th Ave is a dead end and all property along the road - other than the SNA - is private, no-trespassing.

The day was quite hot, the climb up the bluff was steep-ish, and - although we were kitted for ticks - we didn't really want to wade through the tall plants/grass and test our anti-tick precautions. The climb up into the SNA means we wouldn't likely hike there. But the drive up to the SNA, the drive along 200th Ave, and the drive back down to the Great River Road (via County Rd A) was pleasant. We didn't encounter any traffic on 200th Ave and we just cruised it slowly observing wildflowers, birds, butterflies and wildlife (deer) from the car all along the road. I think someone willing to climb a little and not too concerned with ticks (or visiting when vegetation is not as high) might find this an interesting place to explore.

Useful links
Wisconsin DNR webpage
iNaturalist Morgan Coulee Prairie SNA Open Space page
eBird Hotspot reports
Wisconsin Rustic Road 51 journal post

Posted on July 9, 2021 09:43 PM by