Caryville Savanna State Natural Area

Picture yourself canoeing or kayaking to a beautiful island in the Chippewa River where time seems to stand still and birds call from oak groves and grassy prairies. This is what you’ll find when you visit the 420-acre Caryville Savanna State Natural Area located on Brush Island. Look for Orchard Orioles, Gray Catbirds, and Yellow-bellied Sapsuckers in the oak barrens, and keep an eye out for Clay-colored and Lark Sparrows in the prairies. When exploring the floodplain forest, look for Barred Owls, Whip-poor-wills, Red-headed Woodpeckers and Eastern Phoebes.

Directions: From the intersection of Hwys. 85 and Cty. H just north of Caryville, drive north on Cty. H 0.5 mile to a boat landing on the Chippewa River. Canoe downstream about 3 miles to Brush Island south of the main channel and north of Meridean Slough. Canoe access is also available from a boat landing on 240th Avenue.

Phone: 715/232-1517 (Menomonie WDNR).

Gazetteer: Page 60, C-3.

Web site: Caryville Savanna State Natural Area

Signature Species: Red-shouldered Hawk and Eastern Bluebird.

Seasonality: Open all year.

Parking: Parking lot at boat landing.

Nearest food & lodging: Eau Claire, 11 miles east.