It is the largest federally designated wilderness area on Wisconsin's mainland.

The northern section of the wilderness area contains Kimball Creek, which feeds into the Pine River.

In the southwest is the Shelp Lake unit, containing some of the largest and oldest trees in the national forest.

[2] In the southeast section features the Pine River, which flows east out of the forest towards the upper peninsula of Michigan.

Several species of bird that are uncommon in Wisconsin can be found in the area including Canada jays, boreal chickadees, and black-backed woodpeckers.