Unfortunately, Wisconsin’s long logging history means that there is little old-growth forest left in the state. Logging was such a huge early industry for our country and in places that were settled and lived in early on in our history, old-growth forest is few and far between. Much of the Northwoods was wiped out in the past 150 years. While we’re lucky that restoration has meant that there are still a ton of trees and forests, it is a bit sad to note how much of our landscape was taken away. Estimates say that there is just 1% of Wisconsin’s forest that can be termed old-growth. Cathedral Pines State Natural Area protects much of what is left of Wisconsin’s old-growth forest and we have a woman named Lucy Rumsey to thank for it.

Rumsey was married to the president of Holt Lumber Company. She and her family had relocated up to the Northern part of Wisconsin and she was far away from home. She and her children found this part of the forest and visited often.
Flickr/JoshuaMayer
She brought her children here to pray and take lessons. It's easy to see why this area that feels ethereal and otherworldly would feel religious. Lucy Rumsey was so attached to this spot that she begged her husband to protect it and not sacrifice the area to logging. This area is now known as Cathedral Pines.
Flickr/ElvisKennedy
There are no words to do this forest justice. The sunlight streams through the canopy and the trees feel like the stretch for miles into the sky. It's the perfect place to let your imagination run wild.
Flickr/ElvisKennedy

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The area covers roughly 1,800 acres in Oconto County. It is mostly a pine-hemlock old-growth forest., but there are also sugar maple, yellow birch, hemlock, white ash, basswood, beech and paper birch trees. The trunks feel like the extend for miles, touching the sky.
Flickr/aaroncarlson
No matter your beliefs, it's impossible not to feel the spirit of the forest here. It is quiet and perfect and makes you feel very aware of just how small you are in the great big world.
Flickr/AaronCarlson
Because there is such a strong and pronounced canopy, there's not a lot of biodiversity along the forest floor. That means there is little to distract from or mar the seemingly mile-high sight lines. There's a path through the woods that will let you experience it all.
Flickr/aaroncarlson
This small part of the state has been protected for future generations to enjoy and it's such a rarity that it's absolutely a literal and figurative hidden gem that you just have to check out.
Flickr/AaronCarlson

Cathedral Pines State Natural Area is located at Brook Rd, Townsend, WI 54175.

Have you ever been? If you can find the words, tell us about it in the comments!

Looking for another truly magical Wisconsin spot? Check out The Place In Wisconsin That Makes You Feel Like You’ve Stepped Through A Magical Wardrobe.

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