The Pine and Popple Wild Rivers
The Pine and Popple Rivers offer a true wild experience, being among Wisconsin's more remote river systems. The area is rugged and undeveloped. Access is limited and often difficult.
Canoeing on the Pine River
© Don Lintner
The shorelines are heavily wooded with sugar maple, yellow birch, hemlock and white cedar on the upper stretches and aspen, silver and red maple, white and jack pine the most common trees on the lower reaches. The rivers' moods alternate from quiet sections that meander lazily through lowland forest to swift rocky riffles, low rapids, and waterfalls. These rivers offer high quality paddling and fishing in a secluded, natural environment. Examples of other enjoyable opportunities along the rivers include hunting, hiking, bird watching, and photography. The rivers' greatest attractions are the miles of undeveloped river that allows everyone a chance to find their own special place.
The entire 89-mile length of the Pine River and the 62 miles of its major tributary, the Popple River, were designated by the Wisconsin legislature as state wild rivers in 1965 to be protected from development and kept in a natural, free-flowing condition. Both the Pine and Popple Rivers are born in the vast forests and swamps of the Nicolet National Forest [exit DNR]. Within the Forest boundary approximately 80% of the upper 56 miles of the Pine River and 58% of the upper 50 miles of the Popple River are in federal ownership.
Mid-way along their courses the rivers leave the national forest and enter the Pine-Popple Wild River project area managed by the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR). The DNR's project area includes the lower 12 miles of the Popple River and the lower 33 miles of the Pine River, ending with the Pine at the Menominee River. At present, approximately 80% percent of the 12,000 acre project area is in public ownership, either the State or Florence County. The remainder is comprised of small privately owned tracts or property owned by We Energies.
Stewardship of the wild rivers is shared by all landowners along the river — small private landowners, commercial timber companies, and county, state, and federal governments. Also included are lands owned by We Energies in conjunction with their hydroelectric operations at the Pine River and Kingsford dams, which pre-dates wild river designation.
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The lakes, rivers, and lands of the Pine-Popple Wild Rivers Project are popular for multiple uses, including canoeing, kayaking, tubing, sightseeing, fishing, hunting, camping, berry picking and other outdoor recreation activities. All publicly-owned lands are open for these uses.
The private property in the Wild Rivers Legacy Forest is under a conservation easement, open to the public for recreational uses including hiking, hunting, and fishing. Certain trails and roads across both public and private property are open for vehicle access, snowmobile and all-terrain vehicles as posted.
The We Energies lands are also open to the public, except for the areas near the dam and power generating facilities, which are closed for public safety and security reasons.
Many access sites on the upper Pine River are unimproved and do not offer off-road parking. Also, many gravel roads, like the Goodman Grade, are marginally improved or are unimproved, and poorly marked. A four-wheel drive vehicle, truck or other vehicle with high ground clearance is needed. Note: There is no bridge on the Goodman Grade at either the Pine River or Popple River.
Maps and Directions
The Pine and Popple Wild Rivers is located in southern Florence County in far northeastern Wisconsin. Access from the south is via either U.S. Highway 41 or 141 or State Highway 101; access from the west is via U.S. Highway 8 or State Highway 70. The property office is located in Florence.
Contact
For questions, comments, and more information about the Pine and Popple Wild Rivers contact:
The Florence Natural Resource and Wild Rivers Interpretive Center [exit DNR]
4793 Forestry Drive
Florence, WI 54121
(888) 889-0049 (toll free)
DNR Wild Rivers Manager
4842 Forestry Drive (corner of U.S. 2 and State Hwy 101)
Florence, WI 54121
(715) 528-4400 ext. 119
Office Hours: Monday-Friday 8:00 am to 4:30 pm
For emergencies, contact:
Forest County Sheriff — 911 or (715) 478-3331
Florence County Sheriff — 911 or (715) 528-3346
Publications
The information contained in the following publication is provided in the web site links above under "Features and Activities." We also have these files split into smaller files on the documents page. If you need a printed copy please contact the property manager listed above.
- Pine & Popple Wild Rivers [PDF 60MB] - brochure and map
PUB-LF-034 2008 - Pine-Popple Wild Rivers Master Plan [PDF 4MB]
January 1981 - Canoeing The Wild Rivers of Florence County [PDF 10MB]
See Also
- Florence County Maps and Brochures [exit DNR]
- Florence County [exit DNR]
- Nicolet National Forest [exit DNR]
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