Sielbeck Forest State Natural Area

Sielbeck Forest State Natural Area

Parks Directory of the United States / State Parks / Illinois

Location: In southern Illinois, 3 miles northwest of Metropolis and 2 miles east of IL 45 on Upper Salem Road in Massac County.
Facilities: Sielback Forest is maintained in its natural state and has no day-use areas, trails, or major improvements of any kind.
Activities: Hunting, fishing, hiking.
Special Features: Within this land and water reserve are 100 acres of floodplain forest dominated by cherrybark oak, sweetgum, and pin oak, and within this soggy forest are 35 acres of forested swamp dominated by cypress and tupelo. Many of the trees in this old-growth remnant are more than 200 years old and nearly 4 feet in diameter. The swamp rabbit makes its home here, and pileated and red-headed woodpeckers, nuthatches, and tree swallows are abundant. Also found in the Forest are two species found only in southern Illinois, in high quality floodplain forests and swamps, the storax (a small tree also known as American snowbell) and the giant sedge
Address: c/o Mermet Lake State Fish & Wildlife Area
1812 Grinnell Rd
Belknap, IL 62908
Phone: 618-524-5577;
Size: 385 acres.

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