Haley Creek Swamp State Natural Area: hunting and access
Haley Creek Swamp State Natural Area is 473 acres of land managed by the Wisconsin DNR in Florence County, 9 miles from Long Lake. Hunters registered 1,226 deer in DMU 124 in 2025.
Data updated October 2026. Area facts: the DNR's DNR property data, read 2026-10. Harvest: DNR Deer Metrics.
State wildlife areas, forests and other DNR landCounty forestNational forestLand trusts and other open landHaley Creek Swamp State Natural AreaCounty lineLakeHighway
| Size | 473 acres in 3 pieces |
|---|---|
| County | Florence County |
| Deer Management Unit | DMU 124 |
| Public access (DNR) | Open to Hiking, Fishing, Hunting and Trapping |
| DNR property page | Haley Creek Swamp |
| Nearest towns | Long Lake (9 mi), Florence (11 mi) and Newald (13 mi) |
What is Haley Creek Swamp State Natural Area like?
Haley Creek Swamp features an undisturbed wetland complex with two undeveloped spring ponds, a fen, an old-growth conifer swamp, and a mile-long cold-water stream segment. Black spruce, white cedar, and tamarack dominate the conifer swamp, which is surrounded by old-growth hemlock-hardwood forest on the uplands. This forest is the only remnant of the former Goodman timber block that still retains old forest characteristics with a mature stand structure. Along the west edge of the site are cedar stands of superior quality that support numerous rare plants. Two rare birds are supported within this complex. Haley Creek Swamp is owned by the DNR and was designated a State Natural Area in 2007. Florence County. T39N-R16E, Sections 13, 14, 15. 460 acres.
From the intersection of Highway 101 and Highway 2 in Florence, go south on 101 for about 10 miles, then west on Patten Lake Road for 3.3 miles, then north on Rock Creek Road for 2.3 miles. Walk west to Dorothy Lake or walk east to Mud Lake. Haley Creek Swamp is owned by: Wisconsin DNR.
In the DNR's words, from its page for the property.
What are the rules on Haley Creek Swamp State Natural Area?
The DNR's property map lists Haley Creek Swamp State Natural Area as "Open to Hiking, Fishing, Hunting and Trapping". Hunting follows Wisconsin's statewide seasons and the rules posted on the property.
How many deer are taken around Haley Creek Swamp State Natural Area?
Haley Creek Swamp State Natural Area lies in DMU 124. The DNR registered 1,226 deer in DMU 124 in 2025.
| DMU | Haley Creek Swamp State Natural Area acres in it | Deer, 2025 |
|---|---|---|
| DMU 124 | 473 | 1,226 |
Harvest for the whole deer management unit, not the property alone: Wisconsin DNR Deer Metrics (registered harvest by deer management unit).
How do you get to Haley Creek Swamp State Natural Area?
Nearest towns: Long Lake (9 miles), Florence (11 miles), Newald (13 miles) and Goodman (17 miles). Highways within 5 miles: WI 70 and WI 101.
What other public land is near Haley Creek Swamp State Natural Area?
DNR properties within 10 miles:
- Wild Rivers/Pine Popple Conservation Easement: 58,880 acres, next to it
- Pine-Popple Wild Rivers: 11,648 acres, next to it
- Woods Creek Cedars State Natural Area: 49 acres, 2.9 miles away
- Fox Maple Woods State Natural Area: 40 acres, 3.2 miles away
- Woods Creek State Habitat Area: 78 acres, 3.4 miles away
- Edith Lake State Public Access: 34 acres, 5.2 miles away
Public land within 3 miles of Haley Creek Swamp State Natural Area
Counting Haley Creek Swamp State Natural Area itself, 24,407 of the 29,832 acres within 3 miles of its boundary are public land open to the public (81.8%), by USGS PAD-US 4.1 (fee land open to the public).
| Manager | Acres within 3 miles |
|---|---|
| State wildlife areas, forests and other DNR land | 21,316 |
| National forest | 3,056 |
| Land trusts and other open land | 32 |
| State parks | 2 |
| Other county, city and regional land | 1 |
Questions hunters ask
Where is Haley Creek Swamp State Natural Area?
In Florence County, 9 miles from Long Lake. The DNR's property page has its maps and parking.
Is Haley Creek Swamp State Natural Area open to hunting?
Yes. The DNR's property map lists it as "Open to Hiking, Fishing, Hunting and Trapping". Posted refuges or closed areas, where there are any, are marked on site.
Which deer management unit is Haley Creek Swamp State Natural Area in?
DMU 124.
How much public land is around Haley Creek Swamp State Natural Area?
24,407 acres within 3 miles of its boundary, Haley Creek Swamp State Natural Area included, by PAD-US 4.1. The closest other DNR property is Wild Rivers/Pine Popple Conservation Easement (next to it).
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Where these facts come from
- Area description, species, rules and directions: DNR, Haley Creek Swamp State Natural Area; Wisconsin DNR managed lands open to hunting.
- Boundary and acres: the DNR's map layer above. Surrounding public land: USGS PAD-US 4.1 (fee land open to the public).
- Deer harvest: Wisconsin DNR Deer Metrics (registered harvest by deer management unit).
FilledTag is not part of the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources. Check the DNR's rules and posted signs before you go.