Special Places
What makes them special?
Special areas have been established to protect and manage for public use and enjoyment, special recreation areas with scenic, geological, botanical, zoological, paleontological, archaeological, or with other special characteristics or unique values.
The Eastern Region is home to 55 designated wildernesses, 20 wild and scenic rivers, 12 congressional study rivers, 5 national recreation areas, and 4 national scenic trails. These congressionally designated areas are a unique and vital resource. In addition to offering recreation opportunities, they are valuable for their scientific and educational uses, serve as benchmarks for ecological studies, and preserve the diversity of historical and natural features found within the Region.
Through their Forests Plans, the Forests protect and perpetuate the character and public values found under the Wilderness, Wild & Scenic Rivers, and National Scenic and Historic Trails Acts. Within the National Forests, these congressionally designated areas have outstanding combinations of recreation opportunities, aesthetic attractions, and proximity to public use that contribute to enjoyment of these resources.
Farnsworth Cabin on the Allegheny National Forest in Pennsylvania
Built in the 1930s by the Civil Conservation Corps, the two-bedroom stone cabin was renovated in 2010 and now provides modern amenities. The cabin is equipped with electricity, forced air heating, and indoor plumbing that includes sinks with hot and cold running water, a flush toilet, and a shower. The cabin is comfortably furnished with two queen beds, two bunk beds, a sofa, chairs, a table, and kitchen appliances and equipment. Outside there is a fire ring, a picnic table, and a charcoal grill.
The cabin is located about nine miles northwest of Sheffield, adjacent to the grounds of the Farnsworth Trout Club Hatchery. The forest surrounding the cabin has black cherry, eastern hemlock, white pine, oak, maple, and birch trees. In the nearby Hickory Creek Wilderness, there is an understory of abundant wildflowers, ferns, shrubs, and mosses. Black bear, white-tailed deer, wild turkey, bald eagle, barred owl, and pileated woodpecker are common in the area. Small native brook trout are found in the nearby Farnsworth Stream.
Cathedral Pines on the Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest in Wisconsin
Cathedral Pines is a 40-acre grove of white pine, hemlock and red pine that escaped cutting by lumberjacks in the 1900s. Located in the Chequamegon–Nicolet National Forest’s Lakewood-Laona Ranger District, this dynamic and exceptionally scenic old-growth forest is one of the few remaining stands of towering pine and hemlock in Wisconsin.
The conifers and intermingled hardwood trees make this area a beautiful place to hike and explore, watch wildlife, or just imagine what the early forest was like.
In the early 1900s, Lucy Rumsey Holt brought her children to this site. The sounds of breezes through these tall pines reminded her of a cathedral, and she persuaded her husband, William, president of Holt Lumber Company, to preserve these trees.
Lost 40 on the Chippewa National Forest in Minnesota
Experience the forest of yesteryear at the Lost 40. Minnesota was one of the largest timber-producing states in the country in the late 1800s, but 144 acres of red and white pines went untouched by loggers when a surveying error mapped the area as part of Coddington Lake. The survey crew's error in 1882, became one of Minnesota's greatest treasures. Today, less than two percent of Minnesota's forested land contains old growth timber. The Lost 40 pines are 300-400 years old, originating when the pilgrims came to America. The trees remain as remnants of the natural resources that drew people to new frontiers and shaping America’s character. A one-mile, self-guided trail winds its way through the towering pines of the Lost 40.
Thundering Falls on the Green Mountain and Finger Lakes National Forests in Vermont
Thundering Falls is said to be the sixth tallest waterfall in Vermont. It is part of Kent Brook which flows out of Kent Pond just north of where the AT and the Long Trail split. At high water it is a magnificent cascade as the stream tumbles 140 feet through a steep and narrow cataract. The falls are also the site of a historic mill powered by the energy of the falling water.
Grand Island National Recreation Area on the Hiawatha National Forest in Michigan
Bring the family, friends or yourself and check out Grand Island National Recreation Area! Grand Island is located in Lake Superior, about one-half mile from the mainland community of Munising, Michigan. Munising is about 43 miles from Marquette and 55 miles from Manistique. Grand Island is the perfect place to spend a day or even just a few hours biking, exploring, and appreciating nature. Please be aware that, in keeping with agency interim direction, the non-motorized trails (e.g., all bike trails) are not open to eBikes. The island is an exciting and secluded destination that offers breathtaking overlooks, pristine sandy beaches, fascinating cultural sites, deep hardwoods and inland lakes
Hemlock Cliffs on the Hoosier National Forest in Indiana
Hemlock Cliffs is a box canyon of special beauty in southern Indiana. A cool climate, sandstone rock formations, and seasonal waterfalls are responsible for the unique trees and plants that grow here. The area features sandstone rock outcrops, overhangs, cliffs, rock shelters, and ravines. Much of the sandstone is “Honeycombed” by weathering of iron ores. Springs, small caves, and subterranean drainage conduits are in the underlying Glen Dean Limestone. Archaeological excavations indicate Native American occupation as early as 10,000 years ago. The head of the canyon is a large, semi circular rock shelter, which undoubtedly provided cover and defense to the early occupants of this area.
A one-mile hiking trail leads you down into the canyon under a lush canopy of large trees and past high seasonal waterfalls. Parts of the trail are steep and slippery when wet, so use caution. It could take two leisurely hours to complete the loop. A one-mile hiking trail leads you down into the canyon under a lush canopy of large trees, through rock shelters, and past high seasonal waterfalls. Parts of the trail are steep and slippery when wet, so use caution. It could take two leisurely hours to complete the loop.
Corsair Area on the Huron-Manistee National Forests- Michigan
This area contains all recreation sites located near the Corsair Area, located south of the Au Sable River and River Road National Scenic River in the southeast corner of the Huron National Forest. This area includes Corsair Hiking and Cross-Country Skiing Trail, Sand Lake Day Use Area, Round Lake Campground and Tuttle Marsh.
Eleven Point National Wild and Scenic River on the Mark Twain National Forest in Missouri
The Eleven Point National Wild and Scenic River was established in 1968 as a 44-mile scenic river, free of impoundments with a largely undeveloped shoreline and watershed. This portion of the river between Thomasville, Missouri and the Highway 142 bridge is near Gatewood, Missouri. It became one of the 8 initial units of the National Wild and Scenic River system in 1968.
The Eleven Point National Wild and Scenic River meanders through the picturesque Ozark hills of southern Missouri. Its course is cut in the shadows of steep bluffs, through sloping forested valleys, and low-lying riparian ecosystems. Barely more than a small stream at its upper reaches near Thomasville, it gains considerable width and depth as its proceeds south-eastward.
Springs pouring from dolomite bluffs or rushing up from a vast network of underground flow systems provide a continuous source of water and beauty. Alternating stretches of rapids and deep clear pools wind around moss covered boulders and shading bottomland hardwood trees.
The Bison Project on the Midewin National Tallgrass Prairie in Illinois
In 2015, through a partnership agreement with the National Forest Foundation and the USDA Forest, 27 bison were introduced as a restoration experiment. In the beginning, there were 23 cows and four bulls.
Approximately 60 miles southwest of Chicago sits a landscape that is the last of its kind. Established in 1996, the Midewin National Tallgrass Prairie is the first national tallgrass prairie in the country. This remnant prairie land once housed part of the former Joliet Army Ammunition Plant. ln 1996, the Department of Defense parceled 19,161 acres in a land transfer to the U.S. Forest Service. Since the transfer, the U.S. Forest Service, along with other federal and nongovernmental partners, manage the restoration of this historical prairie habitat. The Forest Service, community partners and countless volunteers have been actively restoring Midewin from industrial and agricultural lands to native tallgrass prairie since 1996, with the first 5,000 acres opening to the public in 2OO4. Today, more than 13,300 acres of Midewin are open to the public.
Spruce Knob-Seneca Rocks National Recreation Area on the Monongahela National Forest in West Virginia
Encompassing 100,000 acres, the scenic Spruce Knob-Seneca Rocks National Recreation Area (NRA) contains the highest peak in West Virginia, some of the best rock climbing on the east coast, outstanding views and a chance to enjoy America's great outdoors.
Visitor facilities include the Seneca Rocks Discovery Center, Seneca Shadows and Big Bend Campgrounds, and the Spruce Knob Tower. Many thousands of acres of unspoiled quiet land await discovery. Use your imagination to see how the area may have looked to the early settlers, as they crested the mountain ridges or moved up the river. Imagine living a self-sufficient life on a high hillside farm. Envision the Native Americans gathering food on hunting forays. You will discover not only beauty, but a sense of history in the NRA.
Sturgeon River Gorge Wilderness on the Ottawa National Forest in Michigan
The Wild and Scenic Sturgeon River rushes out of the northern portion of this wilderness, over the 20 foot volcanic outcroppings of Sturgeon Falls, and through a gorge that reaches 350 feet in depth and a mile in width. Throughout this rugged, steep Wilderness, the Sturgeon and Little Silver Rivers and their tributaries have carved falls, rapids, ponds, oxbows, and terraces. Stunning views are possible from the eastern rim of the gorge. Except for a few naturally bare slopes, most of the land is forested with pine, hemlock, aspen, sugar maple, birch, and basswood. When the leaves of the hardwoods change color in the fall, they form a vivid tapestry. There are few established trails in Sturgeon River Gorge Wilderness, and the few overgrown logging roads are hard to find and follow. The North Country National Scenic Trail parallels the northern and eastern boundaries for about eight miles. Sturgeon River Campground offers seven sites on the southeastern boundary. In spring and during peak runoff, kayaking and white water canoeing are challenging, and only recommended for advanced paddlers.
Pomona Natural Bridge Trail on the Shawnee National Forest in Illinois
Pomona Natural Bridge Trail features a short loop trail leading through a mature oak-hickory and beech forest. As the trail descends to the creek, an overlook reveals a view of Pomona Natural Bridge, which spans 90 feet, nestled within the trees. People have been drawn to the natural wonders of southern Illinois for years. During the late 1930s and early 1940s, this site and many other scenic areas became more accessible and improved due to the Civilian Conservation Corps.
As it descends, this short loop-trail (0.3 mile) winds through a mature oak-hickory and beech forest. An overlook reveals a view of the arch or "bridge" made of sandstone for which it is named. The stone arch, or natural bridge, as they are usually called, spans 90 feet across and is the result of millions of years of erosion. This Trail is rated moderate due to some steep slopes. It contains rock and dirt surfaces that can be slippery when wet. The Trail leads out on top and across the natural bridge before looping back to the trailhead.
Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness on the Superior National Forest in Minnesota
Established in 1964 as Federally Designated Wilderness, the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness is over one million acres of rugged and remote boreal forest in the northern third of the Superior National Forest in northeastern Minnesota. The BWCAW extends nearly 150 miles along the International Boundary, adjacent to Canada’s Quetico and La Verendrye Provincial Parks, is bordered on the west by Voyageurs National Park, and by Grand Portage National Monument to the east. The BWCAW contains over 1,200 miles of canoe routes, 12 hiking trails and over 2,000 designated campsites. The BWCAW is composed of lakes, islands, rocky outcrops and forest.
Covered Bridge Scenic Byway on the Wayne National Forest in Ohio
The National Forest Covered Bridge Scenic Byway follows State Route 26 from Marietta to Woodsfield, Ohio. For most of its length, it parallels the Little Muskingum River. The scenic byway traverses some of Ohio's most beautiful countryside and many choose to stop along its route, to camp and savor the natural beauty of this area. There are four campgrounds along the byway. The Scenic Byway is a self-guided tour to interpret 35 miles of scenery and history along the Little Muskingum River. To guide you along the tour, look for the tour markers that will lead you to each of the ten stops. The tour is approximately four hours, plus one hour to return to Marietta. For a shorter tour, omit Stops #9 and #10 and return by S.R. 260.
Russell-Colbath Historic Site on the White Mountain National Forest in New Hampshire
The Historic Site includes the Russell-Colbath House, a timber frame barn, the Town of Albany Cemetery, and the one-half mile Rail N' River Trail. Additional amenities include parking, toilet facilities, picnic tables, interpretive signs. The Russell-Colbath House was built in 1832 and is the only original structure left from the town of Passaconaway. The timber frame barn was constructed in 2003 and is open to the public when the house is open on weekends during our open season. The Rail N' River is a half mile ADA trail that winds through the forest to the Swift River and back. There are interpretive panels along the way that explain logging and railroading in this area during the 19th century.