Places to Explore · Wisconsin

Spruce Lake Bog

A boardwalk into a world of orchids, pitcher plants, ferns, and a glacial kettle lake.

Near Dundee · Fond du Lac CountyKettle Moraine State Forest — Northern UnitState Natural Area

A fern-lined boardwalk into Spruce Lake Bog

A northern-feeling landscape in southeastern Wisconsin

Spruce Lake Bog protects 145 acres in the Northern Unit of Kettle Moraine State Forest. Its 35-acre seepage lake occupies a glacial kettle, with a floating sedge mat and wooded wetland around it. Black spruce and tamarack help give the site its northern character.

The photographs bring together the changing boardwalk views and the small discoveries along the way—from pink lady’s-slippers and grass-pinks to sundews, frogs, and warblers.

The lake itself has moderately hard water. Its chemistry should not be confused with conditions in every surrounding patch of peat and vegetation. Explore the wider story in the Bog habitat guide.

Along the boardwalk

The photographs follow the narrow wooden walkway through lush summer ferns, fresh spring growth, and autumn color.

Ferns framing the boardwalk at Spruce Lake Bog, Wisconsin — Ferns framing the boardwalk

Spring greenery beside the walkway at Spruce Lake Bog, Wisconsin — Spring greenery beside the walkway

Broad leaves leaning toward the boardwalk at Spruce Lake Bog, Wisconsin — Broad leaves leaning toward the boardwalk

Autumn ferns along a curve at Spruce Lake Bog, Wisconsin — Autumn ferns along a curve

Autumn color in the bog woods at Spruce Lake Bog, Wisconsin — Autumn color in the bog woods

The boardwalk before leaf-out at Spruce Lake Bog, Wisconsin — The boardwalk before leaf-out

A leafy summer passage at Spruce Lake Bog, Wisconsin — A leafy summer passage

Entering the boardwalk at Spruce Lake Bog, Wisconsin — Entering the boardwalk

The kettle lake & wooded wetland

Open water, dense shoreline vegetation, and wooded wetland offer very different views within the same place.

Summer clouds above Spruce Lake at Spruce Lake Bog, Wisconsin — Summer clouds above Spruce Lake

Open water in spring at Spruce Lake Bog, Wisconsin — Open water in spring

Late-season lake view at Spruce Lake Bog, Wisconsin — Late-season lake view

Dense vegetation at the lake edge at Spruce Lake Bog, Wisconsin — Dense vegetation at the lake edge

Water among moss and wetland plants at Spruce Lake Bog, Wisconsin — Water among moss and wetland plants

Fresh growth beneath the trees at Spruce Lake Bog, Wisconsin — Fresh growth beneath the trees

The wooded wetland in summer at Spruce Lake Bog, Wisconsin — The wooded wetland in summer

Woodland structure before leaf-out at Spruce Lake Bog, Wisconsin — Woodland structure before leaf-out

Orchids of Spruce Lake Bog

Pink lady’s-slippers, grass-pinks, and the small green flowers of Loesel’s twayblade are highlights of this collection. Close-ups and wider views show both the flowers and their surroundings.

Pink lady’s-slipper — flower detail at Spruce Lake Bog, Wisconsin — Pink lady’s-slipper — flower detail

Pink lady’s-slippers beside a tree at Spruce Lake Bog, Wisconsin — Pink lady’s-slippers beside a tree

Pink lady’s-slipper in its woodland setting at Spruce Lake Bog, Wisconsin — Pink lady’s-slipper in its woodland setting

A pair of pink lady’s-slipper flowers at Spruce Lake Bog, Wisconsin — A pair of pink lady’s-slipper flowers

Grass-pink orchid at Spruce Lake Bog, Wisconsin — Grass-pink orchid

Grass-pink flower and bud at Spruce Lake Bog, Wisconsin — Grass-pink flower and bud

Grass-pinks among ferns at Spruce Lake Bog, Wisconsin — Grass-pinks among ferns

Grass-pinks in the surrounding vegetation at Spruce Lake Bog, Wisconsin — Grass-pinks in the surrounding vegetation

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Loesel’s twayblade — tiny green flowers at Spruce Lake Bog, Wisconsin — Loesel’s twayblade — tiny green flowers

Loesel’s twayblade — leaves and flower stalk at Spruce Lake Bog, Wisconsin — Loesel’s twayblade — leaves and flower stalk

Loesel’s twayblade flower detail at Spruce Lake Bog, Wisconsin — Loesel’s twayblade flower detail

Emerging pink lady’s-slipper plants at Spruce Lake Bog, Wisconsin — Emerging pink lady’s-slipper plants

Pitcher plants, sundews & bladderwort

Look closely at the different forms: pitcher-shaped leaves, round sundew leaves covered with glistening droplets, and yellow bladderwort flowers above the water.

Water held inside a pitcher leaf at Spruce Lake Bog, Wisconsin — Water held inside a pitcher leaf

A cluster of pitcher leaves at Spruce Lake Bog, Wisconsin — A cluster of pitcher leaves

Northern pitcher plant flowers at Spruce Lake Bog, Wisconsin — Northern pitcher plant flowers

Looking into a pitcher plant flower at Spruce Lake Bog, Wisconsin — Looking into a pitcher plant flower

Green pitcher leaves among wetland plants at Spruce Lake Bog, Wisconsin — Green pitcher leaves among wetland plants

Round-leaved sundew on a mossy surface at Spruce Lake Bog, Wisconsin — Round-leaved sundew on a mossy surface

Sundew leaves and their sticky droplets at Spruce Lake Bog, Wisconsin — Sundew leaves and their sticky droplets

A small white sundew flower at Spruce Lake Bog, Wisconsin — A small white sundew flower

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Bladderwort flowers above the water at Spruce Lake Bog, Wisconsin — Bladderwort flowers above the water

Yellow bladderwort blooms at Spruce Lake Bog, Wisconsin — Yellow bladderwort blooms

Flowers of the bog & wetland

Small spring blossoms, summer flowers, and plants at the water’s edge add to the variety. These are photographs from the visits, rather than a complete inventory.

Buckbean flowers at Spruce Lake Bog, Wisconsin — Buckbean flowers

Buckbean — fringed flower detail at Spruce Lake Bog, Wisconsin — Buckbean — fringed flower detail

Labrador tea in bloom at Spruce Lake Bog, Wisconsin — Labrador tea in bloom

Labrador tea above the moss at Spruce Lake Bog, Wisconsin — Labrador tea above the moss

Bluebead lily flowers at Spruce Lake Bog, Wisconsin — Bluebead lily flowers

Goldthread flower at Spruce Lake Bog, Wisconsin — Goldthread flower

Starflower at Spruce Lake Bog, Wisconsin — Starflower

Three-leaved false Solomon’s-seal at Spruce Lake Bog, Wisconsin — Three-leaved false Solomon’s-seal

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Wild calla at Spruce Lake Bog, Wisconsin — Wild calla

Wild calla — close view at Spruce Lake Bog, Wisconsin — Wild calla — close view

Tufted loosestrife at Spruce Lake Bog, Wisconsin — Tufted loosestrife

Blue flag iris at Spruce Lake Bog, Wisconsin — Blue flag iris

Marsh marigold at Spruce Lake Bog, Wisconsin — Marsh marigold

Arrowhead flowers at Spruce Lake Bog, Wisconsin — Arrowhead flowers

Marsh skullcap at Spruce Lake Bog, Wisconsin — Marsh skullcap

Swamp milkweed at Spruce Lake Bog, Wisconsin — Swamp milkweed

Beggarticks flower at Spruce Lake Bog, Wisconsin — Beggarticks flower

Asters beside the boardwalk at Spruce Lake Bog, Wisconsin — Asters beside the boardwalk

Small white violet at Spruce Lake Bog, Wisconsin — Small white violet

Wild sarsaparilla flowers at Spruce Lake Bog, Wisconsin — Wild sarsaparilla flowers

Canada mayflower at Spruce Lake Bog, Wisconsin — Canada mayflower

Ghost plant at Spruce Lake Bog, Wisconsin — Ghost plant

Ferns, sedges & fruits

The quieter details are worth a look too: fern fronds, cottony seed heads, berries, and the changing colors of leaves.

Royal fern with fertile fronds at Spruce Lake Bog, Wisconsin — Royal fern with fertile fronds

Marsh fern beside the boardwalk at Spruce Lake Bog, Wisconsin — Marsh fern beside the boardwalk

Cottony seed heads of cottongrass at Spruce Lake Bog, Wisconsin — Cottony seed heads of cottongrass

Threeway sedge beside the walkway at Spruce Lake Bog, Wisconsin — Threeway sedge beside the walkway

Bluebead lily fruit at Spruce Lake Bog, Wisconsin — Bluebead lily fruit

Wintergreen berries at Spruce Lake Bog, Wisconsin — Wintergreen berries

Canada mayflower fruit at Spruce Lake Bog, Wisconsin — Canada mayflower fruit

Black huckleberry fruit at Spruce Lake Bog, Wisconsin — Black huckleberry fruit

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Black chokeberry fruit at Spruce Lake Bog, Wisconsin — Black chokeberry fruit

Blueberries at Spruce Lake Bog, Wisconsin — Blueberries

Dwarf raspberry fruit at Spruce Lake Bog, Wisconsin — Dwarf raspberry fruit

Skunk cabbage emerging at Spruce Lake Bog, Wisconsin — Skunk cabbage emerging

An autumn maple leaf at Spruce Lake Bog, Wisconsin — An autumn maple leaf

A mushroom on the bog floor at Spruce Lake Bog, Wisconsin — A mushroom on the bog floor

Birds among the branches

Warblers add movement and color to the trees around the wetland.

Palm warbler at Spruce Lake Bog, Wisconsin — Palm warbler

Palm warbler among fine branches at Spruce Lake Bog, Wisconsin — Palm warbler among fine branches

Yellow-rumped warbler at Spruce Lake Bog, Wisconsin — Yellow-rumped warbler

Wildlife & smaller discoveries

Frogs, a red squirrel, butterflies, and dragonflies bring the boardwalk’s surroundings to life.

Red squirrel in an evergreen at Spruce Lake Bog, Wisconsin — Red squirrel in an evergreen

Red squirrel on the boardwalk at Spruce Lake Bog, Wisconsin — Red squirrel on the boardwalk

Gray treefrog resting on a fern at Spruce Lake Bog, Wisconsin — Gray treefrog resting on a fern

Green frog on a mossy surface at Spruce Lake Bog, Wisconsin — Green frog on a mossy surface

Spring peeper on a leaf at Spruce Lake Bog, Wisconsin — Spring peeper on a leaf

Garter snake among wetland plants at Spruce Lake Bog, Wisconsin — Garter snake among wetland plants

Appalachian brown butterfly at Spruce Lake Bog, Wisconsin — Appalachian brown butterfly

Northern pearly-eye butterfly at Spruce Lake Bog, Wisconsin — Northern pearly-eye butterfly

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Meadowhawk dragonfly on a seed head at Spruce Lake Bog, Wisconsin — Meadowhawk dragonfly on a seed head

Red meadowhawk dragonfly at Spruce Lake Bog, Wisconsin — Red meadowhawk dragonfly

Sawfly larva on a leaf at Spruce Lake Bog, Wisconsin — Sawfly larva on a leaf

Snails on a leaf at Spruce Lake Bog, Wisconsin — Snails on a leaf

Plan a visit

Finding the entrance

The DNR lists parking on the north side of Airport Road near Dundee. A trail and boardwalk lead toward the lake. Use the official property map to locate the entrance.

A close look at the wetland

The photographs show a narrow wooden walkway through the vegetation. Check current conditions before visiting, and stay on the established route to protect the soft ground and plants.

Spruce Lake Bog entrance signs at Spruce Lake Bog, Wisconsin — Spruce Lake Bog entrance signs

Interpretive sign at the bog at Spruce Lake Bog, Wisconsin — Interpretive sign at the bog

Visitor and habitat information: Wisconsin DNR — Spruce Lake Bog. Photographs by Brian Woolman / Where’s Wildlife.

Official visitor information Official property map Explore the Bog habitat Back to Places to Explore

Spruce Lake Bog

A northern-feeling landscape in southeastern Wisconsin

Along the boardwalk

The kettle lake & wooded wetland

Orchids of Spruce Lake Bog

Pitcher plants, sundews & bladderwort

Flowers of the bog & wetland

Ferns, sedges & fruits

Birds among the branches

Wildlife & smaller discoveries

Plan a visit

Finding the entrance

A close look at the wetland

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A northern-feeling landscape in southeastern Wisconsin

Along the boardwalk

The kettle lake & wooded wetland

Orchids of Spruce Lake Bog

Pitcher plants, sundews & bladderwort

Flowers of the bog & wetland

Ferns, sedges & fruits

Birds among the branches

Wildlife & smaller discoveries

Plan a visit

Finding the entrance

A close look at the wetland

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