While Wisconsin has a lot of wonderful state parks, the state also has 30 county forests – they together cover 2.4 million acres. The state’s first county forest was founded nearly a century ago in Langlade County. Today, the Langlade County Forest in Wisconsin is a destination for hiking, biking, camping and paddling, and more. Here’s a look at this special forest, and why you should make plans to visit Langlade County.

Before officials established the Langlade County Forest, the lumbering era nearly decimated the once-thriving forests of northern Wisconsin. The era led to widespread deforestation, leaving behind barren landscapes susceptible to wildfires.

In some areas, economic hardship followed. Many areas had a significant number of tax-delinquent properties and were economically distressed.

In response to the pressing need for land conservation and reforestation, the Wisconsin State Legislature passed the Forest Crop Law in 1927, empowering counties to establish county forests. Langlade County, facing significant tax delinquency issues and land degradation, seized the opportunity and created the state’s first county forest.

Today the county forest is a treasure. It spans over 130,000 acres, and it has had many benefits to the area. Logging has produced significant income to the county.

But logging practices are very different than they were in the 1800s. The county aims to protect and preserve the land, and preserve it for recreation and wildlife habitat.

Langlade County’s forests cover over 130,000 acres – and the county is home to thousands of miles of remote trails. There are also established trails for biking, over 100 miles of ATV trails, and more than 500 miles of snowmobile trails.

There are some beautiful campgrounds and nearly endless opportunities for remote camping. Anglers will also find some great places to cast a line.

I’ve explored some of the county’s forests. When I’m traveling through the area, I sometimes take a break to go for a hike for a trail run. The trails are worth it - they are never crowded, and there are some really beautiful places to explore and trails that travel through scenic areas like lakeshores. Langlade County is also closer Wisconsin's larger cities than other destinations in the far reaches of Northern Wisconsin, so it is a nice weekend getaway spot. Check out the trails in Langlade County Forest on AllTrails Plus - and here’s where to find more Wisconsin adventures.