List of U.S. state and tribal wilderness areas facts for kids

Wilderness areas are special places in the United States where nature is protected. These areas are kept wild and untouched by human development. They are important for plants, animals, and for people to enjoy nature.

While the U.S. federal government protects many wilderness areas, some states and Native American tribes also have their own programs. In 2002, nine states had programs that protected 74 wilderness areas. These areas covered a huge space, over 2.6 million acres (about 10,800 square kilometers)! Florida used to have 10 state wilderness areas, but their protection laws changed in 1989.

For wilderness areas protected by the U.S. federal government, you can look at the List of U.S. wilderness areas. Also, some wilderness areas are owned by private groups. For example, the Nature Conservancy owns the 12,000-acre (49 square kilometer) Disney Wilderness Preserve in Florida.

State Wilderness Areas

Many states have their own special wilderness areas. These are protected by state laws, not federal ones.

Alaska's Wild Places

In 2002, Alaska had 3 state wilderness areas. These areas covered a total of about 922,700 acres (3,734 square kilometers).

California's Protected Lands

California had 10 state wilderness areas in 2002. They covered about 466,320 acres (1,887 square kilometers). Some of these include:

• Boney Mountains State Wilderness Area
• Mount San Jacinto State Wilderness Area
• Henry W. Coe State Wilderness (also known as the Orestimba Wilderness)
• Santa Rosa Mountains State Wilderness Area
• Sinkyone Wilderness State Park
• West Waddell Creek State Wilderness Area

Hawaii's Nature Preserves

Hawaii has the Alakai Wilderness Preserve. This special area covers about 9,000 acres (36 square kilometers).

Maine's Waterway Wilderness

Maine is home to the Allagash Wilderness Waterway. This area protects a beautiful river system.

Maryland's Wildlands

By 2009, Maryland had 29 wildland areas. These protected lands covered a total of about 43,773 acres (177 square kilometers).

Michigan's Wilderness Area

In 2002, Michigan had 1 state wilderness area. It covered about 40,808 acres (165 square kilometers).

Minnesota's Boundary Waters

Minnesota protects state land within the famous Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness. This area is known for its many lakes and canoe routes.

Missouri's Wilderness Spots

Missouri had 11 state wilderness areas in 2002. They covered about 22,993 acres (93 square kilometers).

New York's Vast Wilderness

New York had 21 state wilderness areas in 2002. These covered a very large area, about 1,170,312 acres (4,736 square kilometers).

Adirondack Park Wilderness Areas

The Adirondack Park in New York is a huge protected area. It contains many wilderness sections:

• Blue Ridge Wilderness Area - 45,736 acres (185.09 square kilometers)
• Dix Mountain Wilderness Area - 45,208 acres (182.95 square kilometers)
• Five Ponds Wilderness Area - 117,978 acres (447.440 square kilometers)
• Giant Mountain Wilderness Area - 22,768 acres (92.139 square kilometers)
• Ha-De-Ron-Dah Wilderness Area - 26,528 acres (107.36 square kilometers)
• High Peaks Wilderness Area - 192,685 acres (779.769 square kilometers) (part of the larger High Peaks Wilderness Complex)
• Hoffman Notch Wilderness Area - 36,231 acres (146.62 square kilometers)
• Jay Mountain Wilderness Area - 7,100 acres (28.73 square kilometers)
• McKenzie Mountain Wilderness Area - 37,616 acres (152.23 square kilometers)
• Pepperbox Wilderness Area - 22,560 acres (91.300 square kilometers)
• Pharaoh Lake Wilderness Area - 45,883 acres (185.68 square kilometers)
• Pigeon Lake Wilderness Area - 50,100 acres (202.75 square kilometers)
• Saint Regis Canoe Area - 18,231 acres (73.778 square kilometers)
• Sentinel Range Wilderness Area - 23,252 acres (94.098 square kilometers)
• Siamese Ponds Wilderness Area - 112,524 acres (455.368 square kilometers)
• Silver Lake Wilderness Area - 105,270 acres (426.013 square kilometers)
• West Canada Lake Wilderness Area - 156,695 acres (634.122 square kilometers)
• William C. Whitney Wilderness Area - 20,500 acres (83 square kilometers)

Catskill Park Wilderness Areas

The Catskill Park also has its own wilderness sections:

• Slide Mountain Wilderness Area - 47,500 acres (190 square kilometers)
• Big Indian-Beaverkill Wilderness Area - 33,000 acres (132 square kilometers)
• Indian Head Wilderness Area - 16,800 acres (67.2 square kilometers)
• West Kill Wilderness Area - 19,250 acres (77 square kilometers)

South Carolina's Mountain Bridge

South Carolina has the Mountain Bridge Wilderness. This area helps protect natural beauty in the mountains.

Tennessee's Centennial Wilderness

Tennessee is home to the Bridgestone/Firestone Centennial Wilderness. This area covers about 10,000 acres (40 square kilometers).

Wisconsin's Wilderness Area

In 2002, Wisconsin had 1 state wilderness area. It covered about 6,358 acres (2.6 square kilometers).

Tribal Wilderness Areas

Native American tribes also protect wilderness areas on their lands. These areas are managed by the tribes themselves.

Flathead Indian Reservation (Montana)

The Flathead Indian Reservation in Montana has its own protected wilderness:

• Mission Mountains Tribal Wilderness

Great Lakes Indian Fish & Wildlife Commission

This commission works with 11 Ojibwa tribes to protect lands. These tribes are:

• Bay Mills Indian Community, Keweenaw Bay Indian Community, and Lac Vieux Desert band in Michigan
• Bad River, Lac Courte Oreilles, Lac du Flambeau, Sokaogon, Red Cliff, and St. Croix bands in Wisconsin
• Fond du Lac and Mille Lacs bands in Minnesota

They help manage wilderness areas in different national forests:

Wilderness in Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest, Wisconsin

• Blackjack Springs
• Headwaters
• Porcupine Lake
• Rainbow
• Whisker Lake

Wilderness in Ottawa National Forest, Michigan

• McCormick
• Sturgeon River Gorge
• Sylvania

Wilderness in Hiawatha National Forest, Michigan

• Big Island Lake
• Delirium
• Horseshoe Bay
• Mackinac
• Rock River Canyon
• Round Island

Wilderness in Huron-Manistee National Forest, Michigan

• Nordhouse Dunes