The forest you see in the Big Branch Wilderness Area may be the third or fourth forest to occupy the area in the last 200 years. Much of the area was owned by a large logging company from the early 1800's to the 1930's. Forests were first cut for softwood lumber then for charcoal production. Since 1900, the emphasis has been hardwood sawlog and pulpwood production.

The Forest Service acquired this part of the National Forest in the 1930's. On June 19, 1984, the U.S. Congress passed the Vermont Wilderness Act and designated 36,000 acres of the Green Mountain National Forest lands as the White Rocks National Recreation Area. Working with the public, the Green Mountain National Forest developed a management strategy for this area. This strategy emphasizes preservation and protection of wild values, maintenance of wildlife habitat, and opportunities for backwoods recreation experiences.