Parrish Oak Savanna State Natural Area
Situated on a ridge of St. Peter Sandstone capped by a thin layer of Platteville dolomite, this prairie and savanna complex harbors a very diverse flora. Bedrock ledges, low cliffs, and a small pinnacle add geologic interest to the site. Sandy, dry to dry-mesic prairie occupies the steep, south-facing flank of the ridge. Prairie grasses, including little bluestem, side-oats grama, and hairy grama, are interspersed with a host of prairie forbs, including such rarities as prairie fame-flower, prairie dandelion, and upland boneset. Patches of the common prickly pear cactus attest to the thin soils and droughty conditions here. The prairie grades into bur oak savanna and dry-mesic oak/hickory woodland. More than 235 native plant species have been recorded from the natural area. Many bird species use the site, including red-headed woodpeckers and field sparrows, two species of greatest conservation need in Wisconsin. Parrish Oak Savanna is owned and managed by The Prairie Enthusiasts and was designated a State Natural Area in 2015. (Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources)
- Scenic Overlook
