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Wisconsin State Parks

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USA Parks
Wisconsin
Northern Kettle Moraine Region
Terry Andrae State Park
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Terry Andrae State Park Boardwalk Trail © Jim Snyder
This is a photo of one of the boarkwalk trails in the park.
Terry Andrae State Park Serene © Jim Snyder
A peaceful look at Lake Michigan.
Terry Andrae State Park Seedpod 2 © Jim Snyder
Another seedpod you might find along the boardwalk path.
Terry Andrae State Park Along the Trail © Jim Snyder
Another peaceful shot of the park and Lake Michigan.
Terry Andrae State Park A Gull © Jim Snyder
A gull getting a birdseye view of the waves coming in.
Terry Andrae State Park Sandy Bank © Jim Snyder
Some sand errosion from the waves.
Terry Andrae State Park The Beach 4 © Jim Snyder
This at the end of a path entering the beach area.
Terry Andrae State Park Seedpod © Jim Snyder
A seedpod you might see on the trail.
Terry Andrae State Park Seagulls © Jim Snyder
A day at the beach after the humans left of course.
Terry Andrae State Park Teepee © Joe Rondinelli
Terry Andrae State Park © Justin Olson
Terry Andrae State Park Red Grasshopper © Jim Snyder
One of few insects I saw along the trails in the fall.
Terry Andrae State Park Unknown Plant © Jim Snyder
A common plant found along the boardwalk path.
Terry Andrae State Park Along the Trail 2 © Jim Snyder
Another picture along the trail.
Terry Andrae State Park © Justin Olson
Terry Andrae State Park © Justin Olson
Terry Andrae State Park Snowman © Jim Snyder
This dune and bushes reminds me of a snowman.
Terry Andrae State Park © Justin Olson
Terry Andrae State Park © Justin Olson
Terry Andrae State Park Sandpiper © Jim Snyder
Out searching for food the waves carry in.
Terry Andrae State Park © Jim Snyder
Terry Andrae State Park The Beach 3 © Jim Snyder
A very peaceful day.
Terry Andrae State Park Sandart © Jim Snyder
Currents in the sand caused by a recent rain.
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TERRY ANDRAE STATE PARK
TERRY ANDRAE STATE PARK

Reservations: 920-451-4080
Nature of the Area
Mammals:

The park is home to many mammals, the most popular of which is the white-tailed deer. Red fox can often be seen in the dunes. Thirteen-lined ground squirrels frequent the picnic areas looking for scraps. Muskrats, master architects, build domed homes in the Black River marsh. Raccoons can be nasty thieves when food is carelessly left out in the campsite. In addition, coyotes may be seen or heard on occasion.

Birds:

More than 150 birds species are known to live in or migrate through Kohler-Andrae. The lakeshore of Lake Michigan acts as a migration corridor for birds during the spring and fall. Impressive numbers of diving ducks can be seen just offshore of the park at this time. Many hawks also migrate through the park area, as do several other endangered and threatened species of birds. Many birds live and nest in the park, ranging from ducks, gulls, and shorebirds to woodland warblers, vireos, sparrows and marshland rails and herons. Bring your binoculars along and enjoy the never ending and colorful bird show.

Plants:

More than 400 known plant species are found in the park, including more than 50 different tree species. Many plants that grow in the dune areas of the park are very specialized and found only in this area. The "Kohler Dunes Natural Area" located north and south of the nature center has many unique examples of dune vegetation and protects some threatened species as well. Please be careful not to damage any vegetation in this fragile area of the park.
History of the Area
Jean Nicolet was the first known explorer believed to have visited our area during his visit with the Ho-Chunk Indians near Green Bay in 1634. Later, between 1665 and 1670, Nicholas Perrot spent time in this region, much of it with the Potowatomis who lived here at the time. Father Jacques Marquette and several other missionaries were known to explore the western shores of Lake Michigan by canoe from 1673-1699.

In 1795, when the Ottawa and Chippewa Indians inhabited our area, a Frenchman by the name of Jacques Vieau visited the Sheboygan area to erect a Northwest fur company post. This fur company and later the American Fur company dominated trade in the area until 1868. Trade goods and furs were transported by canoe along the lakeshore to Green Bay and Milwaukee. The Indians traded hides of bear, deer, moose and pelts of muskrat, beaver, lynx, otter and marten. In return they received blankets, clothes, knives, axes and other goods.

The first true European-American settler in the park area was David Wilson. Mr. Wilson was born in New York and arrived here with his family from Ohio in 1840. Next to follow in 1845 were two brothers, James and Leonard Osgood. These and other "Yankee" families from the east coast were drawn to this region to set up fisheries. Fishermen in small skiffs out on the lake netted fish using hooped pound nets and lifted them by hand. Lake trout, white fish, lake herring and chubs were taken by this method.

Fishing in the 19th century was backbreaking and often dangerous work. Both David Wilson and the Osgood brothers drowned in Lake Michigan while engaged in their fishing operations. In the 1850s, '60s and '70s, a large influx of German and Dutch immigrants came into this area. Most were farmers by trade and moved inland to better farm lands. Along the lakeshore, however, fishing was still the predominant occupation, along with a few coopers and boat builders.

Before World War I, lakeshore property was offered for one dollar per foot with no buyers. The land was sandy and could not sustain crops or livestock grazing. With the advent of the automobile and the growing popularity of the motor touring and recreation, land prices rose quickly as wealthy people from urban areas like Milwaukee sought country escapes from city life.

n 1924 Frank Theodore (Terry) Andrae purchased 92 acres of lakeshore property from a retired fisherman and later purchased another 30 acres. Mr. Andrae was president of Julius Andrae and Sons' Electric Supply Company in Milwaukee. He and his wife Elsbeth built a two-story house overlooking the lake in the area where the present-day campground is. This second home was known as "Henriette Lodge" and the Andraes often entertained guests there. Mrs. Andrae had a strong interest in botany and horticulture and at considerable expense, hired several forestry consultants and began to reforest their property. After her husband's death in 1927, Mrs. Andrae donated all 122 acres of her "pine dunes" lakeshore property to the State of Wisconsin to be known from then on as Terry Andrae State Park.

In the years following both the John M. Kohler and Terry Andrae donations, the State of Wisconsin purchased an additional 600 acres of property, bringing the total acreage of both parks combined to about 1,000 acres. Although still considered two properties with adjacent boundaries, the parks are managed as one unit by the Department of Natural Resources.

Considerable development has been undertaken in the park, such as campgrounds, picnic areas, a bath house, nature center, trails and roads. Improving facilities and programs is an ongoing effort. A master plan was developed to assure that future property management and development plans will be consistent with the needs of park visitors while protecting the park's natural resources.
Passes
A Wisconsin State Park System vehicle admission sticker is required on all motor vehicles stopping in state parks, forests and recreation areas, please visit the VEHICLE ADMISSION STICKERS web page.
FACILITIES AND ACTIVITIES OVERVIEW
Day-UseHiking Trailyes
 Swimming Beachyes
CampingPrimitiveyes
 Electric Sitesyes
WinterActivitiesyes
Camping
Family Campground

The park has a 105-unit family campground, including 49 sites with electrical hookups. Each campsite has a campfire ring and a picnic table and can accomodate a limit of 6 people or one family (parents and minor children plus two guests). Each site is limited to one wheeled camping unit and two vehicles which must be parked on the paved drive. Off-site parking for additional vehicles is available.

In addition, a canvas and pole tepee is for rent in the summer for those who do not have their own camping equipment or who want the experience of camping in a primitive shelter.

Kohler-Andrae also has a specially designed campsite, rest room and shower for campers with physical disabilities.

The campground is open all year. During the warm weather season, showers, flush toilet and laundry facilities are available in the family campground. Campsites do not have water or sewer hookups, but a trailer dump station and a fresh water fill-up station are available in the park.

Group Campground:

There are two group campsites with a combined capacity of 50 people. Tents only are allowed in this area. Vault toilets are provided.Reservations

For family and group camp reservations, call toll-free to (888) WI-PARKS ((888) 947-2757).

To reserve the picnic shelters, call (920) 451-4080.
Swimming
Nature Trails:

There are two self-guided nature trails in the park. The Creeping Juniper Nature Trail just south of the nature center has self-guiding nature signs and winds through beautiful sand dune areas of the park.

The Woodland Dunes Nature Trail runs thorugh a heavily wooded section of the park south of the campground. Self-guiding nature signs throughout the trail describe many of the unique trees a visitor experiences within Kohler-Andrae. A shorter, level, limestone trail, which makes up the first portion of the Woodland Dunes Trail, is available for the mobility impaired visitors of the park.

Hiking Trails:

The Black River Marsh Boardwalk is on the west side of the campground just off the main campground road. The 1/4-mile boardwalk offers a unique opportunity to walk out over the marsh, past the nesting ponds, west to the Black River. Along the way, there are three lookout/resting platforms with seats. This walk is accessible to people with disabilities. Dogs are allowed to accompany their owners.

The Dunes Cordwalk is just north and south of the nature center in the state natural area. Hikers walk on a 2 1/2 mile "cordwalk" (boards and rope) through the dunes with three lookout points and benches overlooking Lake Michigan and a rare interdunal marsh area.

Hiking, Bike, and Horse Trail:

The Black River Trail is in the northwest section of the park just off County Hwy. V. The 2.5-mile trail winds through open prairie, mixed woodlands and a red pine plantation. This trail is open for horses, hikers, and mountain bikes.


Location
Terry Andrae State Park is located near Plymouth, Port Washington and Sheboygan

Nature Programs
Kohler-Andrae has a regular schedule of naturalist hikes and programs during the summer. Watch for bulletin board announcements posted throughout the park or ask at the park office for times and locations.

Located in the northern area of the park amidst the dunes overlooking beautiful Lake Michigan, the Sanderling Nature Center is one of the park's most popular attractions.

any interesting displays of the park's animals, history, great lakes fishery, wildflowers and other subjects are there for visitors to enjoy. Live animal and plant displays are maintained during the season, and new displays are always being constructed for the interpretive facility.

The center has an auditorium for regular programs involving slides, movies and guest speakers. Accessible from the inside of the nature center is a stairway to an observation deck on top of the building with a grand view of Lake Michigan.

The Sanderling Nature Center is open primarily May through October. The center is staffed by local volunteers that have donated their time and talent to help keep the building open for others to enjoy. The volunteers help to man the desk, sell items, and develop displays. If you are interested in becoming a volunteer, get an application from the Internet or at the nature center or park headquarters.

Visitor Comments, Memories and Reviews
September 1 Good memories by Boohya
park review stars; one to five Took a step towards maturity at this park 36 years ago!
April 16 Wonderful place, especially for dogs by Wisconsin Camper
park review stars; one to five Terrific camping and a separate beach area where you can take your LEASHED dog since animals not allowed on primary beach area.
September 12 Our Favorite by Steve M
park review stars; one to five You have a great beach to walk or run on, awesome trails to hike, wildlife to see, campsites not too close to each other, nice nature center, and clean facilities. But VERY busy place and hard to get reservations plus can be very cold!
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