Governor Earl Peshtigo River

Governor Earl Peshtigo River State Forest is a linear 9,200-acre state forest in northeastern Wisconsin, stretching along some of the most beautiful and exciting sections of the Peshtigo River in Marinette County. The forest was renamed in 2019 to honor former Governor Anthony S. Earl, who served as Wisconsin's DNR Secretary from 1975 to 1980 before becoming governor in 1982. The Peshtigo River, which flows from north of Crandon through Forest and Marinette counties before emptying into Green Bay, features what many consider the Midwest's longest continuous whitewater rapids, making this forest a premier destination for paddlers seeking adventure. Beyond whitewater, the forest offers more than 3,000 acres of flowage created by four major hydroelectric dams, with 15 boat landings providing access to calm waters suitable for all skill levels. The combination of river recreation, camping, fishing, and hiking makes Governor Earl Peshtigo River State Forest a beloved destination for outdoor enthusiasts throughout Wisconsin and beyond.

The forests surrounding the Peshtigo flowages provide abundant food, water, and shelter for a remarkable variety of animal species adapted to northern Wisconsin's mixed forest and aquatic habitats. Bald eagles nest along the river corridor and are frequently observed soaring over the flowages, their populations having recovered dramatically since conservation efforts removed DDT from the environment. Sandhill cranes stalk the wetland margins, their prehistoric calls echoing across the waters during breeding season. Common loons nest on the larger flowages, their haunting wails becoming the soundtrack of summer evenings, while great blue herons hunt the shallows for fish and amphibians. Ospreys dive for fish throughout the river system, their spectacular hunting providing entertainment for observant visitors. Many species of waterfowl utilize the flowages during migration and breeding seasons, including wood ducks, hooded mergansers, and ring-necked ducks. The upland forests support songbirds, turkeys, white-tailed deer, black bears, and butterflies, while the river provides habitat for brook trout, brown trout, smallmouth bass, and other sport fish that attract anglers from across the region.

The vegetation of Governor Earl Peshtigo River State Forest reflects the northern mixed forest character of Wisconsin's northeast, with species composition varying according to soil moisture, disturbance history, and topography. Major forest types include oak and aspen, which together account for over half of all timberland, with over 60 percent of the forest classified as having habitat types ranging from very dry to dry-mesic conditions. Northern hardwoods including sugar maple, yellow birch, and basswood occupy richer sites, while extensive stands of white and red pine occur on well-drained glacial soils. White cedar swamps and black spruce bogs occupy the wettest areas, providing specialized habitats for wildlife species requiring these conditions. The flowage shorelines support emergent wetland vegetation including sedges, rushes, and wild rice that provides food for waterfowl. Forest regeneration following historic logging has created diverse age structures, with young forests providing browse for deer and older stands offering nesting habitat for cavity-dependent species. Wildflowers bloom throughout the forest in spring, with trilliums, hepaticas, and mayflowers carpeting the hardwood understory.

The landscape of Governor Earl Peshtigo River State Forest was profoundly shaped by glacial activity during the Pleistocene epoch, with continental ice sheets depositing the sandy and gravelly soils that characterize much of the property. The Peshtigo River carved its course through these glacial deposits following the retreat of the ice approximately 10,000 years ago, creating the river valley that now hosts the forest. The predominantly sandy soils, classified as podzols and entisols, drain rapidly and support the drought-tolerant pine and oak forests that dominate the landscape. The bedrock underlying the glacial deposits consists primarily of Precambrian igneous and metamorphic rocks, occasionally exposed along the river corridor where erosion has cut through the overlying sediments. The rapids that make the Peshtigo famous occur where the river encounters resistant bedrock formations or boulder deposits left by glaciers. The relatively flat topography reflects the gentle nature of the glacial outwash plain, with elevation changes occurring primarily along the river valley and its tributary drainages.

Governor Earl Peshtigo River State Forest experiences the cold, snowy continental climate characteristic of northeastern Wisconsin, with long winters, moderate summers, and significant annual precipitation supporting the forest ecosystem. Winter temperatures frequently drop below zero, with average January lows near 5 degrees Fahrenheit and substantial snowfall averaging over 50 inches annually, making the forest attractive for snowmobiling and cross-country skiing. Summers are relatively short but pleasant, with average July highs in the upper 70s to low 80s providing comfortable conditions for camping, paddling, and hiking. The Peshtigo River reaches optimal paddling conditions during spring snowmelt, typically from mid-April through May, when water levels support the famous whitewater rapids. Annual precipitation averages approximately 30-32 inches, with the majority falling as summer thunderstorms that can create challenging conditions for paddlers and sudden water level changes. The forest's northern location means fall colors arrive early, typically peaking in late September to early October as maples and birches transform the landscape.

The history of the land now comprising Governor Earl Peshtigo River State Forest is inextricably linked to the Great Peshtigo Fire of 1871, one of the deadliest wildfires in American history, which devastated this region on the same night as the Great Chicago Fire. Following this catastrophic event, the region experienced significant immigration and reconstruction efforts as settlers sought to rebuild lives in the burned landscape. Logging and sawmills became the major industries, with vast stands of white pine harvested to feed America's growing cities, until forestlands became depleted from over-harvesting and repeated wildfires. As timber resources diminished, settlers transitioned cutover lands to agriculture and began constructing dams along the Peshtigo River to power mills and later generate electricity. The four major dams on the river, High Falls (1911), Johnson Falls (1924), Caldron Falls (1925), and Potato Rapids (1959), transformed the river into a series of flowages while providing electricity for northeastern Wisconsin. The Wisconsin DNR acquired the property between 2001 and 2004 from Wisconsin Public Service Corporation, securing more than 9,200 acres of land plus more than 3,000 acres of submerged land.

The property that became Governor Earl Peshtigo River State Forest passed from private timber and utility company ownership to public management in the early 2000s, representing one of Wisconsin's more recent large-scale conservation acquisitions. The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources acquired the land between 2001 and 2004 from Wisconsin Public Service Corporation, which had accumulated the property over decades of hydroelectric operations along the Peshtigo River. The 2007 master plan established management guidelines emphasizing active forest management, recreational access, and preservation of natural character along this exceptional river corridor. In September 2019, the forest was renamed from Peshtigo River State Forest to Governor Earl Peshtigo River State Forest, honoring Anthony S. Earl, who served as Wisconsin's DNR Secretary from 1975 to 1980 before his election as governor in 1982. Earl's leadership during his time at DNR helped establish policies that enabled acquisitions like this one, making the naming particularly fitting. The forest continues to evolve as managers balance timber production, recreational development, and ecosystem protection in this dynamic landscape.

The Peshtigo River itself serves as the primary attraction of Governor Earl Peshtigo River State Forest, renowned for offering the Midwest's longest continuous whitewater rapids that draw paddlers from across the region for unforgettable river adventures. The river's free-flowing section between the dams provides exceptional fly-fishing opportunities, particularly for trout enthusiasts seeking wild brook and brown trout in pristine northern waters. More than 3,000 acres of flowage created by the four hydroelectric dams offer calm-water paddling, motorboating, and fishing accessible from 15 boat landings scattered throughout the forest. Two systems of hiking trails explore the forest's diverse terrain, with the 5-mile Spring Rapids Trail accessed from County Road W providing particularly scenic walking through lush forest along the Peshtigo River. Numerous rustic roads and volunteer-maintained hunter walking trails open to hikers provide additional exploration opportunities throughout the property. Remote boat-in campsites along the river offer wilderness-style camping experiences, while the developed family campground provides more accessible overnight accommodations.

Governor Earl Peshtigo River State Forest offers a family campground with sites suitable for tent and RV camping, along with remote boat-in campsites for paddlers seeking backcountry experiences along the river. The forest's 15 boat landings provide access to the various flowages and river sections, accommodating everything from canoes and kayaks to motorboats suitable for the larger impoundments. The forest is open year-round from 6 a.m. to 11 p.m., with seasonal activities varying from paddling and fishing in summer to snowmobiling and cross-country skiing in winter. A Wisconsin vehicle admission sticker is required for entry, with both daily and annual passes available. The forest is located west of Crivitz in Marinette County, accessible via County Road W and other local roads that provide access to various facilities. Nearby Crivitz offers supplies, lodging, and outfitters providing shuttle services for paddlers wanting to run the whitewater sections. Camping reservations are available through wisconsin.goingtocamp.com, and the forest participates in the Travel Green Wisconsin program recognizing environmental sustainability commitments.

Conservation management at Governor Earl Peshtigo River State Forest balances multiple objectives including sustainable timber production, watershed protection, recreational access, and wildlife habitat enhancement across the 9,200-acre property. Active forest management through selective harvesting and regeneration maintains diverse forest age structures that benefit wildlife species requiring different habitat conditions at various life stages. The four hydroelectric dams along the Peshtigo River generate renewable electricity for northeastern Wisconsin while maintaining the flowages that provide extensive recreational opportunities and wildlife habitat. Water quality protection throughout the forest benefits both the aquatic ecosystems of the Peshtigo River and downstream communities that depend on clean water from this watershed. Invasive species management targets threats to native forest communities, particularly in areas disturbed by past land use or recreational development. The master plan adopted in 2007 guides management decisions, emphasizing preservation of natural character while allowing appropriate recreational and forestry activities. Climate monitoring tracks changes in forest composition and river hydrology that may require adaptive management responses as conditions shift over coming decades.