Governor Knowles State Forest is a 32,500 acre unit of the Wisconsin state park system that stretches for 55 miles (89 km) along the St. Croix River. It is managed as a wilderness buffer for the Saint Croix National Scenic Riverway. On the east the state forest is bordered by county forests and two state wildlife areas. Originally called the St. Croix River State Forest, it was renamed in 1981 to honor former Wisconsin governor Warren P. Knowles for his conservation and outdoorsman ethics.