Springstead Muskeg State Natural Area: hunting and access
Springstead Muskeg State Natural Area is 632 acres of land managed by the Wisconsin DNR in Iron County, 11 miles from Lac du Flambeau. Hunters registered 895 deer in DMU 117 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 landNational forestOther county, city and regional landLand trusts and other open landSpringstead Muskeg State Natural AreaCounty lineLakeHighway
| Size | 632 acres in 2 pieces |
|---|---|
| County | Iron County |
| Deer Management Unit | DMU 117 |
| Public access (DNR) | Open to Hiking, Fishing, Hunting and Trapping |
| DNR property page | Springstead Muskeg |
| Nearest towns | Lac du Flambeau (11 mi), Mercer (12 mi) and Park Falls (14 mi) |
What is Springstead Muskeg State Natural Area like?
Springstead Muskeg encompasses the northernmost portion of an extensive undisturbed bog complex stretching from Springstead Lake south to Newman Lake. The wetland is located in a pitted glacial outwash moraine at the headwaters area of the South Fork of the Flambeau River. This Sphagnum-based peatland supports many ericaceous species including leather-leaf, small cranberry, and bog-rosemary along with tussock cotton grass and few-seeded sedge. Stunted black spruce and tamarack are widely scattered throughout. The surrounding uplands are forested with second-growth northern hardwoods. Bird fauna in the area includes palm warbler, Lincoln's sparrow, and sandhill crane. Springstead Muskeg is owned by the DNR and was designated a State Natural Area in 2002. Iron County. T41N-R3E, Sections 28, 32, 33. 656 acres.
From the intersection of State Highways 13 and 182 in Park Falls, go east and north on 182 for about 14.3 miles, then go south 1.4 miles on Springstead Road to the site. Walk west into the bog. Springstead Muskeg is owned by: Wisconsin DNR.
In the DNR's words, from its page for the property.
What are the rules on Springstead Muskeg State Natural Area?
The DNR's property map lists Springstead Muskeg 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 Springstead Muskeg State Natural Area?
Springstead Muskeg State Natural Area lies in DMU 117. The DNR registered 895 deer in DMU 117 in 2025.
| DMU | Springstead Muskeg State Natural Area acres in it | Deer, 2025 |
|---|---|---|
| DMU 117 | 632 | 895 |
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 Springstead Muskeg State Natural Area?
Nearest towns: Lac du Flambeau (11 miles), Mercer (12 miles), Park Falls (14 miles) and Butternut (17 miles). Highways within 5 miles: WI 182.
What other public land is near Springstead Muskeg State Natural Area?
DNR properties within 10 miles:
- Turtle Flambeau Scenic Waters Area: 35,782 acres, 1.1 miles away
- Lehto Lake State Natural Area: 1,624 acres, 2.7 miles away
- Hay Creek-Hoffman Lake Wildlife Area: 14,503 acres, 4.4 miles away
- Northern Highland State Forest: 176,323 acres, 5.5 miles away
Public land within 3 miles of Springstead Muskeg State Natural Area
Counting Springstead Muskeg State Natural Area itself, 12,200 of the 29,734 acres within 3 miles of its boundary are public land open to the public (41%), by USGS PAD-US 4.1 (fee land open to the public).
| Manager | Acres within 3 miles |
|---|---|
| National forest | 8,214 |
| State wildlife areas, forests and other DNR land | 3,986 |
Questions hunters ask
Where is Springstead Muskeg State Natural Area?
In Iron County, 11 miles from Lac du Flambeau. The DNR's property page has its maps and parking.
Is Springstead Muskeg 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 Springstead Muskeg State Natural Area in?
DMU 117.
How much public land is around Springstead Muskeg State Natural Area?
12,200 acres within 3 miles of its boundary, Springstead Muskeg State Natural Area included, by PAD-US 4.1. The closest other DNR property is Turtle Flambeau Scenic Waters Area (1.1 miles).
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Where these facts come from
- Area description, species, rules and directions: DNR, Springstead Muskeg 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.