Flambeau River State Forest
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HISTORY OF THE FLAMBEAU RIVER STATE FOREST CAMPING The Flambeau River State Forest was Popular camping options in the forest include WELCOME TO established in 1930 following the petitions family, canoe and backpack camping. of local citizens to preserve a large block of Did You Know... Family Camping land on the Flambeau River. By 1946, the The forest’s name was derived from FLAMBEAU RIVER STATE FOREST! There are two family campgrounds in original 3,112 acres of forest had grown to early French traders and trappers the forest: Lake of the Pines Campground more than 65,000 – most of which were who observed the local Ojibwe Indians and Connors Lake Campground. The two purchased from lumber companies hoping harvesting fish by torch light. campgrounds have a combined 59 rustic to provide some benefit from cutover The French word sites with fire rings, picnic tables and forest lands. “flambeau,” which toilets. Both campgrounds have a swimming In the early 1950s, the original headquarters means torch, is the beach, nature trail and drinking water. building was built from windblown hemlock root word in Lac du Electricity is available at some sites. Showers are available at the Forest logs. Recreational development followed in Flambeau, the formal name Headquarters. For fall and winter camping, Photo Credit: Jim Kuchler the late 1950s. Today, the forest has more applied to the local Ojibwe. than 91,000 acres, with a new headquarters Lake of the Pines is open until Dec. 15. Lac du Flambeau is literally Semi-primitive river access campsite. built in 2015. The forest still retains much Reservable sites are available at the trans lated as “Lake of Connors Lake Campground. of its early flavor, providing a remote Primitive/Backpack Camping backcountry experience that harkens back the Torches.” The forest offers great backpack camping, to a bygone era. Canoe Campsites There are 35 primitive canoe campsites which is allowed anywhere on the forest along the Flambeau River. These sites are with the exception of the Native Community available on a first-come, first-served basis Management Areas (for exact locations, Photo Credit: Wisconsin DNR and are limited to a one-night stay. The contact headquarters). Primitive hunter sites are rustic with picnic tables, fire rings camping is available during the nine-day and an outhouse. gun deer season. Hunters must obtain a A Working Forest And The River free camping permit prior to Oct. 31. Running Through It Flambeau River State Forest is a sustainably managed working forest providing a wide array of benefits to its resident natural systems and communities and to the 1 Governor Knowles State Forest .... 715-463-2898 general public. Opportunities abound for 2 Come 2 Brule River State Forest .................715-372-5678 enthusiasts from all walks of life, especially 3 Flambeau River State Forest ....... 715-332-5271 those looking to experience the solitude of 1 3 4 back the Northwoods. 5 4 Northern Highland American soon! Legion State Forest .........................715-542-3923 Distance yourself from the daily grind and 6 5 Governor Earl Peshtigo River leave your cell phone behind. Don’t be And be sure 7 State Forest ...................................... 715-757-3965 surprised if you hear the distant howl of a WI to visit wolf, the song of a loon or the bugling of an Wisconsin’s 6 Black River State Forest ............... 715-284-4103 Photo Credit: Wisconsin DNR Photo Credit: Wisconsin DNR NORTHERN elk in the fall. Unplug and tune in to nature’s STATE other Northern 7 Coulee Experimental sound track on the Flambeau. Loading pulp from a sustainable harvest. Lake of the Pines FORESTS State Forests State Forest .................................... 608-785-9007 FLAMBEAU RIVER STATE Photo Credit: Wisconsin DNR FOREST RECREATIONAL TRAILS International River OTHER RECREATION Stretch your legs or feel the wind in your hair Classifications Pack a lunch and a towel, then get ready to Class I: Easy on our extensive trail systems. observe one of the state’s iconic species. EMERGENCY INFORMATION Fast-moving water with Ski/Mixed-Use Trails riffles and small waves. Picnic/Beach Areas Flambeau Forest Headquarters ....715-332-5271 The Flambeau River State Forest features Picnic/beach areas are available at boat Class II: Novice Price Co. Sheriff (Phillips) ........... 911 • 715-339-3011 14 miles of cross-country ski trails groomed landings 8 and 9 on the north and east Straightforward rapids Sawyer Co. Sheriff (Hayward) ...911 • 715-634-4858 for both skate and classic skiing, providing shores of Caldron Falls flowage. High Falls with wide channels. Rusk Co. Sheriff (Ladysmith) .......911 • 715-532-2200 opportunities for a variety of skill levels. flowage provides picnicking at boat landings FLAMBEAU RIVER STATE FOREST Class III: More Difficult The north access point is on Highway 70. 5 and 7. Forest Fires.................................................. Dial 911 Rapids with moderate, The southern access is off of County Road W. Poison Control Center ........... 911 • 800-222-1222 irregular waves which In summer, the trails may be used by may be difficult to mountain bikers and hikers. Nature trails VISITOR’S GUIDE avoid and can swamp are at Connors Lake Campground and Lake a canoe. of the Pines Campground. There are also 60 Photo Credit: Wisconsin DNR miles of maintained hunter/walking trails Little Falls that are mowed yearly, providing access to remote areas of the forest. CANOEING AND KAYAKING HUNTING AND FISHING Motorized Trails Considered one of the finest river trips in Land or water, hoof or wing, the Flambeau River The Flambeau River State Forest has 38 miles the Midwest, the Flambeau River offers State Forest is an outdoor enthusiast’s paradise. Photo Credit: Wisconsin DNR of ATV trails that are generally open from paddling opportunities for all skill levels. For The entire forest is open to public hunting, May 15 to Nov. 15. There are also 55 miles of detailed descriptions of trip sections, visit provided hunters remain more than 100 feet Elk Return To The Forest snowmobile trails providing access to the paddleflambeau.com. from designated use areas. Ruffed grouse, After more than a century-and-a-half of Photo Credit: Wisconsin DNR Tuscobia State Trail and Sawyer County trail North Fork white-tailed deer, bear, waterfowl and other their absence, a small herd of elk was system to the north, and the Price and Rusk Little Falls There are about 57 miles of the North Fork within game species are common. There are more than returned to the forest in 2014. In the coming Counties trail systems to the south. In the Flambeau River State Forest. This section 60 miles of maintained hunter/walking trails years, more will be introduced to supplement The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources provides equal opportunity addition, 60 miles of improved forest roads in its employment, programs, services, and functions under an Affirmative offers a more relaxing trip with its slower class and multiple primitive trails to explore. Backpack the herd, giving visitors a better oppor tunity Action Plan. If you have any questions, please write to Chief, Public Civil provide vehicle access throughout the Rights, Office of Civil Rights, U.S. Department of the Interior, 1849 C. Street, I-III rapids, allowing paddlers to enjoy the and hunting camps are familiar sights during to view these iconic animals. forest. When riding through the forest, NW, Washington, D.C. 20240. excellent fishing along the way. Musky, sturgeon, peak-use seasons. There are no fees for primitive please stay on designated trails. This publication is available in alternative format (large print, Braille, etc.) walleye, bass and panfish can be caught from camping, but a permit is upon request. Please call 608-264-6036 for more information. Note: If you need technical assistance or more information, call the Accessibility the river. Trip lengths can be as short as three required. Muskie, walleye, Coordinator at 608-267-7490 / TTY Access via relay - 711. hours or as long as five days. bass, catfish, sturgeon and panfish are present South Fork in the Flambeau River For the more experienced, the short 15-mile and numerous lakes within section of the South Fork of the Flambeau River the forest. For those fly SEE MAP INSIDE within the state forest boundary is known for its fishing anglers, there are Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources challenging rapids with wild whitewater paddling currently 190 miles of PO Box 7921, Madison, Wisconsin 53707-7921 Photo Credit: Wisconsin DNR over class I–V rapids. The river’s peak flow occurs classified trout rivers and dnr.wi.gov • search “Flambeau River” Photo Credit: Wisconsin DNR Photo Credit: John Haack W1613 County Road W • Winter, WI 54896 • 715-332-5271 one-to-two days following heavy rain events and streams on the property. WDNR Call Center 1-888-936-7463 (toll-free 7 a.m.-10 p.m.) Photo Credit: Wisconsin DNR Candlelight Ski Event early spring to mid-June. A ruffed grouse. DNR PUB-FR-582 2021 DNR PUB-FR-582 2021 dnr.wi.gov (search “Flambeau River”) L F a 2 U i 6 k s n e h 1 i trap v d R e o Sagert Road a ad r o s E a R L L B l a F r Pine a D l k i k a o s e r i F e F h i s o v r Creek d t e R P R R s r e e e d t a o r o 1 L ch l p a l 6 a k a 1 e d d Ro E ad d a d o R R n r n Flambeau River State Forestr o E o h k Perch h P Chequamegon-Nicolet k c d l in c u a a e u L B o Lake s a n B t r e R s e Black National Forest t Univ e s s a d e e v E i l d D r Dan Lake a a W w o H o R o o R m r l R n n Cornwall a e r