Established in 1925 to protect the headwaters of the Wisconsin, Flambeau and Manitowish rivers, the Northern Highland-American Legion (NH-AL) State Forest occupies more than 225,000 acres in Vilas, Oneida and Iron counties. The NH-AL State Forest is important to many people because it has the unique ability to meet many different needs. The NH-AL State Forest provides employment and supports the economic well-being of rural and urban communities alike through the production of forest products we use daily, and recreation and tourism generated by the property's fantastic forests and lakes. The forest also offers a diverse array of recreational opportunities, such as camping, canoeing, hiking, bird watching, snowmobiling, biking and hunting, as well as the chance to simply sit quietly and enjoy its natural beauty. In addition, the forest cleans our air and water, provides habitat for a wide range of plant and animal species, and helps us sustain our quality of life.