Natural Area Moquah
Rate this placeLast Updated: December 5, 2025
Natural Area Moquah is a 1,293-acre protected area in the state of Wisconsin, located in the Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest.
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Summary
The area is a popular destination for outdoor enthusiasts due to its diverse ecosystem, which includes wetlands, forests, and lakes.
Some good reasons to visit Moquah Natural Area include the opportunity to hike on its many trails, observe wildlife, and enjoy scenic views. The area is home to a variety of wildlife, including bald eagles, black bears, and gray wolves. Visitors can also fish in the area's lakes and streams, which are stocked with trout and other fish.
Points of interest in Moquah Natural Area include the Moquah Barrens, which are an open area with sparse vegetation, and the Moquah Lake Trail, which is a popular hiking trail that leads to scenic views of Moquah Lake. Other notable trails in the area include the North Country Trail and the Hoffman Lake Trail.
Interesting facts about Moquah Natural Area include that it was designated a state natural area in 2002 and is home to several rare plant and animal species. The area was also historically used by Native American tribes for hunting and gathering.
The best time of year to visit Moquah Natural Area is during the summer months, as the area can be difficult to access during the winter due to heavy snowfall. Visitors should also be aware that the area is remote and may require a long drive on unpaved roads to reach.
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Park & Land Designation Reference
Large protected natural areas managed by the federal government to preserve significant landscapes, ecosystems, and cultural resources; recreation is allowed but conservation is the priority.
State Park
Public natural or recreational areas managed by a state government, typically smaller than national parks and focused on regional natural features, recreation, and education.
Local Park
Community-level parks managed by cities or counties, emphasizing recreation, playgrounds, sports, and green space close to populated areas.
Wilderness Area
The highest level of land protection in the U.S.; designated areas where nature is left essentially untouched, with no roads, structures, or motorized access permitted.
National Recreation Area
Areas set aside primarily for outdoor recreation (boating, hiking, fishing), often around reservoirs, rivers, or scenic landscapes; may allow more development.
National Conservation Area (BLM)
BLM-managed areas with special ecological, cultural, or scientific value; more protection than typical BLM land but less strict than Wilderness Areas.
State Forest
State-managed forests focused on habitat, watershed, recreation, and sustainable timber harvest.
National Forest
Federally managed lands focused on multiple use—recreation, wildlife habitat, watershed protection, and resource extraction (like timber)—unlike the stricter protections of national parks.
Wilderness
A protected area set aside to conserve specific resources—such as wildlife, habitats, or scientific features—with regulations varying widely depending on the managing agency and purpose.
Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Land
Vast federal lands managed for mixed use—recreation, grazing, mining, conservation—with fewer restrictions than national parks or forests.
Related References
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