We are living in a time of "...increasing population, accompanied by expanding settlement and growing mechanization," that is why it is important that individual play a role in helping to "secure for the American people of present and future generations the benefits of an enduring resource of wilderness" as called for by the Congress of the United States through the Wilderness Act of 1964.

The United States Forest Service manages much of the wilderness; the agency describes it as a land of "homestead[s], fruit trees, cemeteries, and abandoned roads.

[4] The part of Panther Den Wilderness area that is managed by the United States Forest Service is 1,081 acres.

The US Fish and Wildlife also manages Devils Kitchen Lake which has three fingers that dip into Panther Den Wilderness area.

Since this is a Wilderness area, it is open to hikers, backpacking, climbing, kayaking, canoeing, rafting, horse packing, bird watching, stargazing, and individuals who are looking for solitude.

As stated by the USFS, "All wilderness users should exercise good outdoor ethics, which include; bringing a compass, appropriate maps, drinking water, observing adjacent private landowner rights and Leave No Trace[5] practices.

Many of these highly impacted areas are located within 300 feet of the trail, which is considered too close by many wilderness education organizations such as Leave No Trace.