The 160-acre school forest, located in the Town of Anson, Chippewa County, was donated to the School District of Cadott Community in 1974. Selective timber harvesting began in 1993 and by the end of the 1994-95 school year, the total timber harvesting revenues from 1993-95 totaled $17,198.48. This money was reserved for development of the school forest.

Two gifts totaling $100,000 were received in the 1994-95 school year for school forest improvements, environmental education materials, and items and materials the school board felt would enhance the use of the school forest by the school and the community.

During the summer of 1995, an access road crossing Dutch Creek was constructed along with the clearing of the building site and initial trail development. The spring and summer of 1996 saw the completion of a 44 x 76-foot environmental education building along with further trail development. The building includes a classroom area, kitchen, washrooms, educational office/storage, general storage, and a coat room.

During the summer of 2000, the Army Reserve completed the installation of a bridge crossing Drywood Creek allowing access to the remaining 80 acres of land. The Army Reserve came back to the school forest during the summer of 2001 and completed the first phase of covering the bridge that they had previously installed.

For more information on the trails at the school forest, please see our Cadott School Forest Trails Map.

Directions to the Cadott School Forest

When traveling east from Chippewa Falls: 
Option 1: Take Highway 29 traveling east approximately 2 miles to the "X-Lake Wissota State Park" exit 87. Travel east on X through Lake Wissota for approximately 6 1/2 miles to County Highway XX. Turn north (left) and travel approximately 2 miles to 80th Avenue. Turn west (left) and go approximately 1 1/2 miles. (The road will change from blacktop to gravel and will indicate that it is a dead end. Watch for signs.)

When traveling east from Chippewa Falls: 
Option 2: Remain on Highway 29 heading east for approximately 7 1/2 miles and take the "X" exit 87east (right) to County Highway XX. Turn north (left) and travel approximately 2 miles to 80th Avenue. Turn west (left) and go approximately 1 1/2 miles. (The road will change from blacktop to gravel and will indicate that it is a dead end. Watch for signs.)

When approaching Cadott on Hwy 29 from the East: 
Exit at the "Highway X-Lake Wissota" exit 87 just west of County XX. (This exit is approximately 3 1/2 miles from Hwy 27). Proceed east to County Highway XX. Turn north (left) for approximately 2 miles to 80th Avenue. Turn west (left) and proceed approximately 1 1/2 miles watching for signs. (The road will change from blacktop to gravel and will indicate it is a dead end. Watch for signs.)