Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest Forest Road 236 Flambeau Trail

Forest Road 236 cuts deep into the Chequamegon-Nicolet’s remote backcountry, following old logging spurs that once hauled white pine giants to mills downstream. The main route shadows the North Fork Flambeau River for twelve miles, crossing Sailor Creek twice on narrow timber bridges that’ll make you hold your breath. You’ll navigate around glacial boulders the size of pickup trucks and through stands of second-growth maple that turn the forest floor into a cathedral of gold come October.

This is honest moderate terrain — muddy ruts, occasional washouts, and plenty of low-hanging branches that’ll test your roof rack. A stock high-clearance 4WD handles it fine in dry conditions, but spring runoff turns sections into genuine technical challenges requiring diff locks. Best tackled May through October when the bridges are maintained. No permits needed, dispersed camping allowed anywhere beyond 150 feet of water. What you get is solitude in some of Wisconsin’s last true wilderness, plus brook trout that haven’t seen many anglers.