The Primitive Zone reflects a desired condition that emphasizes the natural resources. It is managed to only allow dispersed and low frequency use in the zone for low impact recreational purposes. Attaining and maintaining a high quality natural resource condition dictates the extent to which recreational improvements or uses are allowed. 

1.   Natural Resources:

•  Native species and natural processes take precedence over visitor accommodation.
• Pre-European ecosystem components and processes maintained, restored and protected.
• Human-caused habitat fragmentation eliminated.
• Exotic species are contained or removed.
• Water quality maintained or restored.
• No timber harvest or vegetative management except to control invasive species or re-establish native systems.
• Prescribed burns can be allowed.

2.  Historic/Cultural Resources:

• Cultural resources preserved, removed or allowed to waste away.

3.  Recreation Opportunities:

• Dispersed, low density off-trail or trailed, self-reliant (no bicycle or equestrian use) outdoor activities such as hiking, backpacking, primitive camping, cross-country skiing, hunting/trapping/fishing, nature observation.

4.  Education Opportunities:

• Primarily off-site. Interpretive signage allowed at trail heads and low frequency on the trail and at overlooks.

5.  Visitor Experience:

• Low visitor encounters maintained.
• Visitors engaged in high solitude, off-trail or trailed, self-reliant (no bicycle or equestrian use) outdoor activities such as hiking, backpacking, primitive camping, cross-country skiing, hunting/trapping/fishing and nature observation.
• High time commitment.
• High challenge and adventure.
• Discovery’ area with minimal on-site interpretation.
• Low noise tolerance.
• Low interaction with DNR staff.

6.  Management Focus:

• Maintain low-impact character of this zone, with emphasis on natural resource quality.

7.  Development:

• Very low level except for visitor accommodation such as trails.
• Site hardening such as a boardwalk only allowed to protect sensitive resources such as a boardwalk.
• Little evidence of human activity.
• Low accessibility