Black River State Forest

IA

IL

WI

MN

DRIFTLESS AREA

1 Governor Knowles State Forest 715-463-2898

2 Brule River State Forest 715-372-5678

3 Flambeau River State Forest 715-332-5271

4 Northern Highland American Legion State Forest 715-542-3923

5 PeshtigoRiverStateForest715-757-3965

6 Black River State Forest 715-284-4103

7 Coulee Experimental State Forest 608-785-9007

Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources PO Box 7921, Madison, WI 53707-7921dnr.wi.gov (search keyword “state forest”)

WDNR Call Center 1-888-936-7463 (toll-free 7 a.m.-10 p.m.)

7

5431

WINORTHERN

STATEFORESTS

2

This publication can be made available in alternative formats (large print, Braille, audio tape, etc.) upon request. Please call (608) 267-7494 for more information. The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources provides equal opportunity in its employment, programs, services, and functions under an Affirmative Action Plan. If you have any questions, please write to Equal Opportunity Office, Department of Interior, Washington, D.C. 20240.

DNR PUB-FR-561 2016DNR PUB-FR-561 2016 dnr.wi.gov

(search keyword “state forest”)

Visitor’s GuideBL ACK RIVER STATE FOREST

BL ACK RIVER STATE FOREST

W10325 Hwy 12 E • Black River Falls WI 54615 • 715-284-4103

MAP INSIDE

Here’s your guide to the many ways you can enjoy

the forest year-round

WELCOME!

MAP INSIDE

Photos by Kyle Zenz, Emily Alf and Jamie Dahl

EMERGENCY INFORMATION

Ambulance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .DIAL 911

Black River Memorial Hospital . . . 715-284-5361

Poison Control Center . . . . . . . . . . . . . 800-222-1222

JacksonCountySheriff . . . . 911 or 715-284-5357

Forest Headquarters . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 715-284-4103

The Black River State Forest was established in 1957, after the Federal Government

transferred 59,000 acres to the Wisconsin Conservation Depart ment (today the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources). Through further land purchases, the forest has grown to its present size of approximately 68,900 acres. The property contains about 12 miles of the Black River as well as three miles of the Black River’s East Fork.

The State Forest lies on the edge of the driftless (unglaciated) area of Wisconsin. Much of the forest landscape was strongly influenced by glaciation. After the glaciers retreated there was nothing to protect the sandy surfaces from erosion and weathering. Today, remnants of eroded Cambrian sandstone protrude above the forest floor forming buttes, sandstone hills and castellated bluffs like Castle Mound.

Forest management has been a major use of the property since the 1950s. The wood products

harvested from this forest help support the second largest industry in Wisconsin. Today’s harvests are managed by professional foresters who practice sustainable forestry.

Each year, trees are harvested on approximately 1,000 acres in the Black River State Forest. About 300 of these acres are regeneration cuts; the remaining 700 acres are selectively thinned. Thinnings remove poorer quality trees to favor growth on healthier, better-quality trees.

The type of harvest used depends on tree species involved and the age of the stand. Shorter-lived species such as jack pine and aspen are clear cut, as their seedlings need full sunlight to establish a young healthy forest. Longer-lived species such as white pine, red pine and oak are selectively thinned once to several times prior to their final regeneration cut.

The State Forest uses natural regeneration whenever possible. However, in cases where natural regeneration is not adequate, sites are either aerially seeded or trees are planted.

Year-roundrecreationalopportunitiesintheBlackRiverStateForest

MOTORIZED RECREATION TRAILS:

The State Forest has 33 miles of ATV/UTV trails and 48 miles of snow mobile trails that link up with Jackson County and Clark County for over 200 total miles of trails.

PICNIC AREAS:

Picnic areas can be found at all three family campgrounds. Limited picnic facilities are also available at the Perry Creek Recreation Area and Oxbow pond.

CANOE/KAYAK:

The Black River from the Hatfield Dam to Halls Creek landing is rocky with Class I, II and sometimes III rapids. From Halls Creek landing to the Black River Dam is smoother with some class I rapids in high water. Below the dam is calm with sandbars and unique rock formations along some banks.

RECREATIONAL TRAILS

There are over 29 miles of hike/bike trails, of which 22 are groomed for skate and classic skiing during winter. Both Pigeon Creek and Castle Mound camp-grounds have 1.5-mile interpretive trails. A half-mile trail at Castle Mound winds along castellated bluffs to a scenic overlook. There are 4.5 miles of snowshoe trails, and snow shoeing is allowed anywhere in the state forest that is not a groomed trail.

CAMPING:

Three family campgrounds and two group camps provide year-round camping opportunities. Castle Mound Campground has fourteen electric sites and a shower/flush toilet building. East Fork and Pigeon Creek Campgrounds are rustic campgrounds with vault toilet buildings and hand-pump water. The Indoor Group Camp has a four-season cabin that sleeps twelve individuals and an outdoor area that accommodates a maximum of 50 individuals. The rustic Outdoor Group Camp also accommodates up to 50 individuals.

Primitive camping or backpacking is allowed throughout the State Forest with a special camping permit that must be filled out prior to camping. This permit is free and can be found on the State Forest website (dnr.wi.gov/topic/stateforests) or by calling the Forest head quarters. Backpackers must camp at least one mile from their parked vehicle and 100 feet from any trail.

Tree harvesting.

Castellated rock formation at Castle Mound.

Good forest management creates wildlife habitat.

Fall color at Castle Mound.

HUNTING:

Public hunting is allowed throughout most of the property for a variety of wildlife species including: white-tailed deer, black bear, ruffed grouse, turkey and waterfowl.

FISHING:

Northern pike, muskellunge, smallmouth bass, catfish and walleye can be found in the Black River and East Fork. Area flowages have sunfish, suckers, bullheads, crappies, largemouth bass and perch. Trout can be found in Halls, Hay and Robinson Creeks.

INTERNATIONAL RIVER CLASSIFICATIONS:

ClassI:Easy–fastmovingwaterwithrifflesandsmallwaves.

ClassII:Novice–straightforwardrapidswithwidechannels.

ClassIII:Moredifficult–rapidswithmoderate,irregularwaveswhichmaybedifficulttoavoidandwhichcanswampa canoe.

Origin of the name “Black River”Like many northern rivers, the Black River gets its dark color from tannic acid – a stain from the leaves, conifer needles and mosses of this region. Early records indicate the Indian name for the river was “Neosheprah,” meaning “Dark River.” Around the year 1660, French explorers named the river “La Riviere Noire,” meaning “The Black River.” History of the Black River State Forest

Come back soon! – and be sure to visit Wisconsin’s other Northern State Forests

Like much of Wisconsin, Jackson County was heavily logged during the mid to late 1800s, with the heaviest logging done between 1880 and 1895. After the cutover, settlers poured into the area buying up stump riddled and fire scarred properties, drawn by the promise of rich farm land. Most of these farms had failed by the 1930s due to the sandy soils and major drought conditions.

To help the struggling economy, the federal government purchased some of the farms.

As most of the land was too poor for agricultural use, it was

decided to manage the land for forestry and wildlife. The Federal Government officially deeded the land over to the

State in the 1950s.

Perry Creek view from the trail.

A working forest

Visitor’s Guide 2016

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