Area 2.59 km² | Designated 1980 Established 1942 | |
Keeley Creek Natural Area is a natural area that is protected by the United States Department of Agriculture, specifically through the branch of the Forest Service. It was established in 1942 and consists of 640 acres (2.6 km2) of land. It is located in Stony River Township, in Lake County, Minnesota and is part of the Superior National Forest.
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Ecology
Keeley Creek is a forested area that consists mainly of native fir trees including mostly Jackpine and Black Spruce. White-tailed deer, snowshoe rabbit, and ruffed grouse are common in the area.
Designation as National Natural Landmark
In February 1980 the United States Secretary of the Interior designated Keeley Creek Natural Area as a National Natural Landmark under the Historic Sites Act. This designation recognizes the area as an outstanding example of the United States' natural history. The National Park Service describes the area as "a large tract of undisturbed mixed pine and black spruce forest with rare mature jackpine stands and significant upland bogs".