Visit Wilderness

The largest of Wisconsin's Wildernesses is characterized by generally flat terrain with forested swamps and muskeg, and bog lowlands overlooked by a few hardwood ridges. The headwaters of Pine River, a legally protected Wild River, lie within the area. In the southern portion, you'll find the Giant Pine Grove and Shelp Lake, where some of the largest and oldest trees of Nicolet National Forest grow. The quiet waters of Shelp Lake, shadowed by towering pines on the southwest Wilderness boundary, are worth a peek. Deer hunting, bass fishing, hiking, and a chance for solitude lure people to Headwaters.

The area is subdivided into three sections: The northern half for the most part consists of the Kimball Creek Unit, drained by Kimball and several other creeks. The Shelp Lake Unit lies in the southwestern portion, with Shelp Lake in the southwest corner. Finally, the Headwaters of the Pine Unit comprise the southeast portion. While all three units are crisscrossed with trails off Forest Service roads that border the entire Wilderness, only 2.25 miles of system trail are maintained.

Leave No Trace

How to follow the seven standard Leave No Trace principles differs in different parts of the country (desert vs. Rocky Mountains). Click on any of the principles listed below to learn more about how they apply in the Headwaters Wilderness.

1. Plan Ahead and Prepare
2. Travel and Camp on Durable Surfaces
3. Dispose of Waste Properly
4. Leave What You Find
5. Minimize Campfire Impacts
6. Respect Wildlife
7. Be Considerate of Other Visitors

For more information on Leave No Trace, Visit the Leave No Trace, Inc. website.

Rules & Regulations

Contacts