Blackjack Springs Wilderness Area

One is the Blackjack Springs Wilderness Area, 10 miles east of Eagle River. Trails lead to several sparkling underground springs. 45 north to Wisconsin Highway 17, and then east on.

Blackjack Springs is part of Blackjack Springs Wilderness, which in turn, is part of the Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest. Complicated, eh? My visit here was with my mother, precluding much off-trail exploration. There is a large parking area off of FR2178 (gravel) and a trail that starts west of the road and skirts the northern edge of the SNA. This area of the SNA could also be named Fern Gully for the abundance of ferns throughout. Other areas were hummocky with a carpet of spongy sphagnum moss. Whisper Lake is a picturesque lake north of the trail and technically not within the SNA’s boundaries. There is a campsite and fire ring here, which falls under the purview of the US Forest Service. We ran into a couple of surprised campers and their dog during the visit here. Clearly, I want to revisit this site and work my way toward the namesake springs and explore a bit more of the fairy-like moss-scape.

Blackjack Springs Wilderness Area Map

More of my photos from Blackjack Springs can be viewed here.

Additional Information

In addition, many Wilderness high points are 'liners' or 'slope points' located where a boundary is excluding a summit area that has road or tower development. So finding the exact point for many of these summits may be difficult, and being sure of reaching them may require independent research. Blackjack Springs Wilderness MAP Officially designated as a Wilderness in 1978, this 5,800 acre area is located 7 miles northeast of Eagle River, Wis. In Vilas County. Blackjack Springs main feature is a series of four large, crystal clear springs that form the headwaters of Blackjack Creek, in the midst of dense forest cover.

Blackjack Springs Wilderness Trails