Chequamegon-Nicoletwildlife
National forestButterflies on the blooming milkweed at the Catwillow Monarch Area: July is the best time, per the Forest Service. Its usual window for this year has passed.
Sources for this timing ↓About Chequamegon-Nicolet
- What it is
- A national forest in Wisconsin
- What you'll see
- Butterflies at Catwillow · usual peak July
- Before you go
- Do pets need a leash at Chequamegon-Nicolet? In developed recreation areas, pets must be restrained or leashed at all times.Where's the parking for Catwillow, and can I drive in? Park carefully along the roadside without blocking the gate, then walk in: motor vehicles aren't allowed on the Catwillow Monarch Area trails, to protect the plants and the easily compacted soil.
Right now at Chequamegon-Nicolet
Right now in Chequamegon-Nicolet · October
- Lac Vieux Desert campground open · May–Oct
- Kentuck Lake campground open · May–Nov
Next 7 days at Chequamegon-Nicolet
- TodayPatchy Frost then Sunny57° / 32°–
- SatPatchy Frost then Partly Sunny61° / 43°42% rain
- SunChance Rain Showers then Mostly Sunny59° / 32°31% rain
- MonAreas Of Frost then Sunny58° / 33°–
- TueMostly Sunny64° / 44°10% rain
- WedMostly Sunny66° / –10% rain
Heads up: Freezing night (low 32°F): Friday Night, Sunday Night, Monday Night.
Today: sunrise 6:57 a.m., sunset 6:36 p.m., light until 7:06 p.m. · moon last quarter, 55% lit (our calculation)
Your guide to the area
- Chequamegon-NicoletLocal timing: JulyThis page
- Apostle IslandsStatewide: usually well under way by early October92 mi
Where to watch
- Catwillow Tier 2 opening (2E1a and 2E1b)A large two-part opening on the second tier with lots of milkweed and a scenic view: the Forest Service's pick if your time is short
- Catwillow Tier 4 bogAt the west end of Tier 4, a large bog with Labrador-tea, cranberries, purple pitcher-plant and sphagnum mosses; gray jays have been seen in the westernmost openings
Worth the drive
Statewide timing, for places without their own: Wisconsin: usually well under way by early October.
- Apostle Islands · fall foliageSeashore92 miSatMostly Cloudy then Slight Chance Rain Showers
- Necedah RefugeWildlife refuge152 milate MaySatMostly Sunny
- Seney RefugeWildlife refuge152 miJune – Aug. to see wildlife with youngSatWidespread Frost then Mostly Sunny
- Sleeping Bear DunesSeashore176 miFrom late April through Early JuneSatSunny
- Upper Mississippi River RefugeWildlife refuge188 mifrom April to AugustSatMostly Sunny
- Rice Lake RefugeWildlife refuge199 miJune through AugustSatPartly Sunny then Slight Chance Rain Showers
The year at Chequamegon-Nicolet
- Kentuck Lake campground openNowMay–Nov
- Lac Vieux Desert campground openNowMay–Oct
- May: Spring wildflowers, Lost Lake trailsMay
- Jun: Rock-outcrop wildflowers on Hagar Mountain usually peak in JuneJun
- Jul: Wildlife by season: JulyJul
Chequamegon-Nicolet in pictures
Questions people ask
When is the best time to see wildlife at Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest?
Butterflies on the blooming milkweed at the Catwillow Monarch Area: July is the best time, per the Forest Service: July. That's general timing for this place, not a peak date or a forecast.
Is it the season at Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest right now?
Not now: its usual wildlife window for this year has passed. Next time: July, local timing.
Do pets need a leash at Chequamegon-Nicolet?
In developed recreation areas, pets must be restrained or leashed at all times.Source: US Forest Service, East Twin Recreation Area ↗ (opens in a new tab)
Where's the parking for Catwillow, and can I drive in?
Park carefully along the roadside without blocking the gate, then walk in: motor vehicles aren't allowed on the Catwillow Monarch Area trails, to protect the plants and the easily compacted soil.Source: USDA Forest Service, Catwillow Monarch Area ↗ (opens in a new tab)
Where are the best spots in Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest?
Catwillow Tier 2 opening (2E1a and 2E1b): a large two-part opening on the second tier with lots of milkweed and a scenic view: the Forest Service's pick if your time is short; Catwillow Tier 4 bog: at the west end of Tier 4, a large bog with Labrador-tea, cranberries, purple pitcher-plant and sphagnum mosses; gray jays have been seen in the westernmost openings.
What is Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest like through the year?
Lac Vieux Desert campground open (May–Oct), Kentuck Lake campground open (May–Nov), Spring wildflowers, Lost Lake trails (May) and Rock-outcrop wildflowers on Hagar Mountain usually peak in June (Jun).
How we know · Sources (7)
How we know
National Weather Service forecast and alerts (opens in a new tab) (Oct 1) · USDA Forest Service, Catwillow Monarch Area (opens in a new tab) (Sep 30) · USDA Forest Service, Hagar Mountain (opens in a new tab) (Sep 30) · US Forest Service, East Twin Recreation Area (opens in a new tab) (Sep 27) · US Forest Service, Lac Vieux Desert Recreation Area (opens in a new tab) (Sep 27) · US Forest Service, Kentuck Lake Recreation Area (opens in a new tab) (Sep 27) · US Forest Service, Lost Lake Recreation Area (opens in a new tab) (Sep 27)