Photo: Wisconsin DNR
This 55-mile-long forest in northwestern Wisconsin parallels the St. Croix National Scenic Riverway and offers camping, paddling, hiking, horseback riding, biking, hunting, fishing, cross-country skiing and snowmobiling opportunities. Three campgrounds (St. Croix, Trade River Equestrian and Sioux Portage Group) and nine primitive backpack campsites are found within 32,500 wooded acres.
Quick answers
When is the best time to visit Governor Knowles State Forest?
It depends on what you came for. Camping is best in June–September; fall color in September–October; boating & paddling in June–September; and biking in May–June and September–October.
What can you do at Governor Knowles State Forest in each season?
Winter (December–February): hiking, mountain & fat biking, ATV / UTV / off-road, snowmobiling, cross-country skiing and snowshoeing. Spring (March–May): hiking, biking, mountain & fat biking and hunting. Summer (June–August): camping, hiking, boating & paddling, biking, mountain & fat biking and horseback riding. Fall (September–November): camping, hiking, fall color, boating & paddling, biking, mountain & fat biking, horseback riding and hunting.
Do you need a state park sticker at Governor Knowles State Forest?
Yes. Every motor vehicle that stops at Governor Knowles State Forest needs a Wisconsin State Park System vehicle admission sticker, daily or annual (from $13 a day with Wisconsin plates). Our Pass page has every price and which one to buy.
Can you camp at Governor Knowles State Forest in winter?
Camping here is seasonal, generally May–October. The DNR's pages for this property don't list winter camping.
What state parks and trails are near Governor Knowles State Forest?
The closest state properties, as the crow flies: Gandy Dancer State Trail (Southern) (17 mi), Straight Lake State Park (22 mi) and Interstate State Park (27 mi).
Good for
- Biking
- Boating & paddling
- Camping
- Hiking
- Horseback riding
- Hunting
- Mountain & fat biking
- ATV / UTV / off-road
- Snowmobiling
- Snowshoeing
- Cross-country skiing
Best months
January · February · May · June · July · August · September · October · November
Visiting
- Admission: A vehicle admission sticker is required.
- Hours: Open 6 a.m. to 11 p.m. year-round.
- Address: Forest Headquarters 325 State Rd. 70 W Grantsburg, WI 54840
- Phone: 715-463-2898
Accessibility
- Accessible campsite -- every developed campground here has at least one
From the DNR's accessibility guide, reviewed October 2026. Call the property to confirm before you go.
Nearby
- Gandy Dancer State Trail (Southern) (17 mi)
- Straight Lake State Park (22 mi)
- Interstate State Park (27 mi)
- Stower Seven Lakes State Trail (35 mi)
- Cattail State Trail (39 mi)
Closures and alerts for Governor Knowles State Forest: updates · RSS · JSON Feed
Text and park details on this page come from the property's DNR pages, checked every Monday; last change October 24, 2026. Closures and notices load live. Check current conditions before you go.