Oakfield Ledge State Natural Area - East & West - Oakfield, WI
The rock that is Oakfield Ledge began forming about 400 million years ago, but this portion of the Niagara Escarpment was only just declared a Wisconsin State Natural Area in 1983. Located along Horicon Marsh, in the Village of Oakfield, the hard, erosion resistant rock forms prominent cliffs and ledges about 40' high. What begins here in Wisconsin, winds its way northeast all the way to Niagara Falls. Yes, that Niagara Falls.
Walking through the prairie and woodlands that lead into the ledges, we were awed by the sea of gold - Maximillian Sunflower, Goldenrod, and Stiff Goldenrod swayed in the breeze, and seemed to go on forever.
As the path led us further in the ledges were adorned with trees - Oak, Basswood, Sugar Maple, Slippery Elm, and Mountain Maple, to name a few. Plants and wildflowers sprung up along the walking paths of the ledge, and in the crevices between split parts of rock. Notable plants that grow here include Woodland Strawberry, Wild Sarsaparilla, Sky-blue Aster, Late Figwort, Spotted St. John's Wort, and Red Columbine. Walking along the edges in summertime provides a lush and ancient view. The outcroppings split apart from the base of the ledges reveal steep ravines with climbing vines, mosses, and ferns. So much green! So much natural history in one spot!
We were actually in search of the more open ledges that I've seen in photos on the web, so once we finished walking the West section, we drove to the East section. Sadly, daylight was fading, and we ran out of time to get far enough in to see the open quarry-like ledges. We will have to make a second trip for that. However, the East was promising for bird watching. We saw lots of flycatchers, and expect this is a great birding spot during migration season.
The trail on the East section is more of a deer trail, making its way through tall grasses, woodlands (where you start to see more of the rock formations), and then head in to an open prairie. If we are reading the maps right, if we follow along the trail and stay close to the woodlands, we will eventually find the open ledges. I sure hope so. We hope to get back before the end of September. Maybe the mosquitoes will have moved on by then. That would be a bonus. Will post updates, of course.
Even without locating the open ledges, it was a nice hike, and very scenic. Definitely worth the effort! Both spaces are beautiful, peaceful, and inspiring.
Hours: Open Daily 6am to 8pm.
There are no amenities on site.
Dogs are permitted, but must be kept on-leash.
East Location: Approximately 399 Oak Street Oakfield, WI (Fond du Lac County)
Many web sources will tell you the address is 322 Deer Trail Lane, Oakfield (this is not correct, that is a house)
West Location: The parking lot is on Breakneck Road, just west of Center Line Road, Oakfield, WI (Fond du Lac County)
For more information, click here and here.
Walking through the prairie and woodlands that lead into the ledges, we were awed by the sea of gold - Maximillian Sunflower, Goldenrod, and Stiff Goldenrod swayed in the breeze, and seemed to go on forever.
As the path led us further in the ledges were adorned with trees - Oak, Basswood, Sugar Maple, Slippery Elm, and Mountain Maple, to name a few. Plants and wildflowers sprung up along the walking paths of the ledge, and in the crevices between split parts of rock. Notable plants that grow here include Woodland Strawberry, Wild Sarsaparilla, Sky-blue Aster, Late Figwort, Spotted St. John's Wort, and Red Columbine. Walking along the edges in summertime provides a lush and ancient view. The outcroppings split apart from the base of the ledges reveal steep ravines with climbing vines, mosses, and ferns. So much green! So much natural history in one spot!
We were actually in search of the more open ledges that I've seen in photos on the web, so once we finished walking the West section, we drove to the East section. Sadly, daylight was fading, and we ran out of time to get far enough in to see the open quarry-like ledges. We will have to make a second trip for that. However, the East was promising for bird watching. We saw lots of flycatchers, and expect this is a great birding spot during migration season.
The trail on the East section is more of a deer trail, making its way through tall grasses, woodlands (where you start to see more of the rock formations), and then head in to an open prairie. If we are reading the maps right, if we follow along the trail and stay close to the woodlands, we will eventually find the open ledges. I sure hope so. We hope to get back before the end of September. Maybe the mosquitoes will have moved on by then. That would be a bonus. Will post updates, of course.
Even without locating the open ledges, it was a nice hike, and very scenic. Definitely worth the effort! Both spaces are beautiful, peaceful, and inspiring.
Hours: Open Daily 6am to 8pm.
There are no amenities on site.
Dogs are permitted, but must be kept on-leash.
East Location: Approximately 399 Oak Street Oakfield, WI (Fond du Lac County)
Many web sources will tell you the address is 322 Deer Trail Lane, Oakfield (this is not correct, that is a house)
West Location: The parking lot is on Breakneck Road, just west of Center Line Road, Oakfield, WI (Fond du Lac County)
For more information, click here and here.
OAKFIELD LEDGE - WEST
OAKFIELD LEDGE - EAST
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