In Wisconsin's forests, fun knows no season. Winter, spring, summer, fall -- you’ll find plenty to do here.
American Legion-Northern Highlands State Forest (Spring)
Each year 500,000 visitors flock to Wisconsin hoping to spy bald eagles, whooping cranes and ospreys. The American Legion/Northern Highlands State Forest offers visitors the chance to spot more than 50 mammal species, nearly 250 bird species and over 25 reptile and amphibian species. Avid bird watchers have documented more than 300 songbird species at Governor Knowles State Forest. One of the best ways to observe nature at work is from a canoe or kayak. Paddlers look forward to spring in Wisconsin because water levels are high, wildflowers are blooming and migratory birds are returning from their winter getaways.
Kettle-Moraine State Forest (Summer)
Summer is peak season for forest recreation. Camping, swimming, hiking, canoeing, horseback riding and even berry picking bring visitors to forests throughout the state. Fortunately, Wisconsin's millions of forested acres ensure that visitors can find solitude even on the busiest weekends. Also, the vast amount of woodlands offers an incredible variety of scenery and ecology, from restored prairies to sandy lakeshores to swamps to towering pine stands. Visit the Kettle-Moraine State Forest -- Northern Unit where rolling, wooded hills are dotted with scenic lakes. Stop by the Henry S. Reuss Ice Age Visitor Center for forest information, interpretative displays and a 20-minute Ice Age film.
Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest (Fall)
Where better to enjoy the fall color than deep in the forest? The Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest is a hiker's paradise, offering more than 400 miles of trails through 1.5 million acres of Wisconsin's majestic Northwoods. Or if you prefer to view the scenery from behind the wheel, take the Great Divide Scenic Byway, a striking 29-mile route on State Highway 77 between Glidden and Hayward that takes motorists through the heart of the Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest.
Flambeau River State Forest (Winter)
A flesh blanket of winter snow on the ground opens the door to a host of recreational activities, including snowmobiling, cross-country skiing and snowshoeing. An extensive system of snowmobiling trails runs through federal, state, county and private woodlands. The Flambeau River State Forest, for example, offers 55 miles of snowmobile trails maintained by local snowmobile clubs. For longer rides, these trails link to the Tuscobia State Trail and to Sawyer, Rusk and Price county trail systems. Cross-country skiing is another wintertime tradition in Wisconsin, thanks in no small part to the nearly 275 miles of trails running through state forests. Snowshoers, who would rather blaze their own trails than follow groomed paths, find more than 44,000 acres of the Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest Wilderness Areas open for exploration on foot.