Coulee Experimental

Coulee Experimental State Forest is a unique 3,000-acre property located approximately 15 miles east of La Crosse in La Crosse County, Wisconsin. Formally dedicated in 1960, this forest serves a dual purpose as both a recreational destination and a site for long-term forest watershed research studies designed to develop sustainable land management practices. The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources has managed and maintained the forest since 1970, working in partnership with the U.S. Forest Service Northern Research Station. The hilly terrain within the state forest provides an excellent representation of Wisconsin's portion of the Driftless Area, a region untouched by the last glacial period. Unlike traditional state forests focused solely on timber production, Coulee Experimental Forest balances scientific research with outdoor recreation, offering visitors a chance to experience pristine woodlands while contributing to our understanding of forest ecology and watershed dynamics.

The diverse habitats within Coulee Experimental State Forest support a rich array of wildlife species characteristic of the Driftless Area ecosystem. White-tailed deer are abundant throughout the forest, taking advantage of the mixed oak-hickory woodlands and edge habitats that provide both food and cover. Wild turkey populations thrive in the upland forests, while ruffed grouse inhabit the brushy areas and young forest stands. The forest's ridgetops and open fields attract red-tailed hawks and other raptors that hunt the abundant small mammal populations. Songbird diversity is particularly notable during spring and fall migrations, with warblers, vireos, and thrushes utilizing the varied forest structure. Eastern box turtles and timber rattlesnakes find refuge in the rocky outcroppings and south-facing slopes. The small streams and seeps throughout the property support amphibian populations including spotted salamanders and wood frogs, while the forest edges and prairies host various butterfly species that depend on native flowering plants.

The flora of Coulee Experimental State Forest reflects its position in the Driftless Area and includes a fascinating mix of forest types and prairie remnants. The predominant vegetation is an oak-hickory forest type, with red oak and white oak forming the canopy alongside shagbark hickory, basswood, and American elm. The understory includes ironwood, blue beech, and various shrub species. One of the forest's most distinctive features is the presence of several small 'goat prairies' on steep, south-facing slopes where conditions are too harsh for trees to establish. These remnant prairies harbor native warm-season grasses and prairie wildflowers including purple coneflower, blazing star, and prairie smoke. The ridgetops, formerly used for agricultural crops, have been planted with experimental stands of pines, spruces, larches, and mixed hardwoods as part of ongoing research into reforestation techniques. Rock outcroppings throughout the forest support specialized plant communities adapted to thin soils and exposed conditions.

Coulee Experimental State Forest lies within the Driftless Area, a unique geological region that escaped glaciation during the last Ice Age approximately 10,000 to 20,000 years ago. While glaciers covered much of the Upper Midwest, this area remained ice-free, resulting in a dramatically different landscape characterized by deep valleys, steep-sided bluffs, and narrow ridgetops carved by millions of years of water erosion. The underlying bedrock consists primarily of Paleozoic sedimentary rocks including sandstone, dolomite, and limestone deposited in ancient shallow seas. The ridgetops feature soils with up to one meter of loess (wind-blown glacial sediment) over clayey pedisediment, with bedrock generally more than two meters deep on summits and shoulders. The characteristic 'coulees' for which the forest is named are the deep, narrow valleys that dissect the landscape. Karst features including sinkholes and springs occur where the carbonate bedrock has been dissolved by slightly acidic groundwater over millions of years.

Coulee Experimental State Forest experiences a humid continental climate with significant seasonal variation typical of southwestern Wisconsin. The average annual temperature at the forest is approximately 6.7 degrees Celsius (44 degrees Fahrenheit), with extreme summer maximum temperatures occasionally exceeding 38 degrees Celsius (100 degrees Fahrenheit) and winter minimums plunging as low as minus 40 degrees Celsius. Average annual precipitation is 864 millimeters (34 inches), with the highest rainfall typically occurring during the growing season from May through September. Snowfall averages 1,118 millimeters (44 inches) annually, providing winter recreation opportunities while also influencing forest hydrology and wildlife behavior. The average growing season length is 138 days, bounded by late spring and early fall frost dates. The varied topography creates distinct microclimates, with south-facing slopes experiencing warmer and drier conditions that favor prairie vegetation, while north-facing slopes and valley bottoms remain cooler and more mesic.

The Driftless Area surrounding Coulee Experimental State Forest has been home to human inhabitants for at least 12,000 years, beginning with Paleo-Indian hunters who followed megafauna into the region as glaciers retreated from surrounding areas. The Ho-Chunk Nation and other Indigenous peoples utilized the area's abundant resources for thousands of years, hunting game, gathering wild foods, and cultivating crops in the fertile valley bottoms. European settlement of the region began in earnest during the mid-1800s, with immigrants primarily of German and Norwegian descent establishing farms on the ridgetops and in the broader valleys. The steep terrain proved challenging for agriculture, and many hillside farms were eventually abandoned as farmers moved to more productive land elsewhere. Logging during the late 19th and early 20th centuries removed much of the original forest cover. The worn-out agricultural lands and cutover forests that remained eventually became the nucleus for the Coulee Experimental Forest, established to study how best to restore and manage these degraded landscapes.

The Coulee Experimental Forest was formally dedicated in 1960 as a collaborative research facility between the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources and the U.S. Forest Service. The property was assembled from abandoned farmland and cutover forest tracts that had been severely degraded by intensive agricultural use and logging practices. Initial research focused on watershed hydrology, studying how different land management practices affected water runoff, erosion, and stream quality in the coulee landscape. Scientists established experimental plots testing various reforestation techniques, planting pines, spruces, larches, and hardwoods on former agricultural fields. The Wisconsin DNR assumed full management responsibility in 1970 while continuing to partner with federal researchers. Over the decades, long-term studies have yielded valuable data on forest succession, soil recovery, and wildlife habitat restoration. Today the forest serves as a living laboratory demonstrating successful restoration of Driftless Area landscapes while providing recreational opportunities for the public.

Coulee Experimental State Forest offers 12 miles of designated trails that traverse the diverse landscapes of this Driftless Area property. The trail system winds through upland oak forests, past experimental tree plantings, and along ridgetops offering views of the surrounding coulee country. During snow-free months, these trails are open to hiking and horseback riding, allowing visitors to explore the forest at their own pace. When winter brings adequate snow cover, the entire 12-mile trail network is groomed for cross-country skiing, providing a challenging workout on the hilly terrain. Key attractions include the goat prairies on steep south-facing slopes where native wildflowers bloom from spring through fall, and the rock outcroppings that offer glimpses of the ancient geology underlying the landscape. The ridgetop open fields provide excellent wildlife viewing opportunities, particularly at dawn and dusk when deer and wild turkeys are most active. No motorized vehicles are permitted, preserving the quiet natural character of the forest.

Coulee Experimental State Forest is located approximately 15 miles east of La Crosse via Highway 14/61 and County Highway B, near the community of Bangor. The forest is open year-round during daylight hours, though facilities are minimal given its research-focused mission. Visitors will find parking areas at trailheads but should come prepared with all necessary supplies including water, as no potable water or restroom facilities are available. A state trail pass is required for cross-country skiing. The forest is managed for day-use recreation; overnight camping is not permitted. Horseback riders must obtain a permit and are responsible for removing all horse waste from the property. Hunting is allowed during established seasons with appropriate licenses. The nearest services including gas, food, and lodging are available in La Crosse or in smaller communities along Highway 14. Visitors should bring appropriate maps as cell phone coverage can be limited in the coulee terrain.

Coulee Experimental State Forest embodies a commitment to conservation and sustainable land management that has guided its operations since establishment in 1960. The forest serves as a living laboratory for studying forest restoration techniques applicable throughout the Driftless Area and similar degraded landscapes. Research conducted here has informed reforestation practices, demonstrating which species and methods work best for recovering cutover and abandoned agricultural lands. Wildlife habitat management focuses on maintaining the diversity of forest types, age classes, and special features like goat prairies that support varied species assemblages. Invasive species control remains an ongoing challenge, with efforts targeting plants that threaten native vegetation communities. The forest's watershed research has provided valuable data on best management practices for protecting water quality in the karst landscape where groundwater is particularly vulnerable to contamination. By balancing active research with passive recreation, Coulee Experimental State Forest demonstrates that multiple uses can coexist while advancing conservation science.