The Northern Highland-American Legion State Forest is approximately 222,000 acres of forest characterized by its abundance of scenic lakes and streams. Within the forest boundaries, there are over 900 lakes as well as numerous streams and rivers.

Established in 1925 to protect the streamflow at the headwaters of the Wisconsin, Flambeau and Manitowish Rivers, the Northern-Highland American Legion State Forest is the largest state property in Wisconsin and the most visited. Over two million people visit each year to enjoy a wide array of recreational activities including camping, fishing, swimming, hunting, boating, canoeing, backpacking and winter recreation.

The Northern Highland-American Legion State Forest offers 7 self-guided nature trails, 39 hiking trails, 47 mountain bike trails, 486 snowmobile trails, and 40 cross-country ski trails.

Visitors will enjoy viewing the wide variety of wildlife and bird species of northern Wisconsin that can be found within the forest. The most common wildlife seen in the forest include deer, beaver, otter, fox, coyote and black bear. Goshawks, blue jays, yellow-bellied sapsuckers, chickadees and song sparrows are a few species of birds that can be seen or heard.