10 Forests in Minnesota That You Shouldn't Miss

August 8, 2021 Phylicia Berquist

The Twin Cities of Minneapolis and St. Paul have the famous Mall of America and Walker Art Institute. Bluff Country to the south has water sports and cross country skiing. The Prairielands abound with lake recreations.
Restaurants in Minnesota

1. Grand Portage State Forest

Grand Marais, MN 55606 +1 218-475-2360 http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/state_forests/sft00023/index.html
Excellent
83%
Good
15%
Satisfactory
2%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 261 reviews

Grand Portage State Forest

Located northwest of Lake Superior, this area offers camping, hiking, cross-country skiing and dogsledding.

Reviewed By BCSunflower777 - Chanhassen, United States

The short walk to High Falls is lovely--and the view at the end is spectacular. After driving to the top of Minnesota, why wouldn't you stop to see this? As the highest waterfall in Minnesota, it is a magnificent natural beauty and mesmerizing as most waterfalls are. The visitor center is clean and well maintained, too, with a nice gift shop and interpretive displays about Ojibwe culture. The 1/2 mile trail is paved and has very little elevation gain, making it accessible to nearly everyone.

2. Wildwood County Park

60582 200th Lane, Eagle Lake, MN 56024 http://www.blueearthcountymn.gov/facilities/Facility/Details/14
Excellent
100%
Good
0%
Satisfactory
0%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 2 reviews

Wildwood County Park

3. Paul Bunyan State Forest

Gulch Lakes Road, LaPorte, MN 56461 +1 651-296-6157 http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/state_forests/sft00038/index.html
Excellent
75%
Good
25%
Satisfactory
0%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 4 reviews

Paul Bunyan State Forest

4. Baker Park Reserve

2309 Baker Park Road, Maple Plain, MN 55359 +1 763-694-7860 http://www.threeriversparks.org/location/baker-park-reserve
Excellent
93%
Good
7%
Satisfactory
0%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 15 reviews

Baker Park Reserve

Reviewed By BONNIEW949 - Onalaska, United States

For the last 40 years we have had a family reunion in the park at Lake Independence, on top of the hill where you can see the entire lake and feel the breezes. The trees have gotten much bigger and the concession stand is gone but the place still holds great memories for our people. There is renovation going on with the sidewalks but the children's play area is still there and the swimming beach is also. We did notice that most of the grills are missing from the park so don't forget to bring a small grill if you need to cook food.

5. Chippewa National Forest

Cass Lake, MN +1 218-335-8600 http://www.fs.usda.gov/wps/portal/fsinternet/!ut/p/c4/04_SB8K8xLLM9MSSzPy8xBz9CP0os3gDfxMDT8MwRydLA1cj72BTJw8jAwjQL8h2VAQAzHJMsQ!!/
Excellent
69%
Good
31%
Satisfactory
0%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 16 reviews

Chippewa National Forest

The first National Forest established east of the Mississippi, Chippewa covers over 1.5 million acres.

6. Superior National Forest

8901 Grand Avenue Pl, Duluth, MN 55808-1122 +1 218-626-4300 [email protected] http://www.fs.fed.us/r9/forests/superior/
Excellent
79%
Good
11%
Satisfactory
5%
Poor
5%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 19 reviews

Superior National Forest

Established in 1909, these three million acres of land, rock, water and trees are located on the U.S. and Canadian border.

7. Pillsbury State Forest

Pillager, MN +1 218-825-3075 http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/state_forests/sft00039/index.html
Excellent
73%
Good
9%
Satisfactory
18%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 11 reviews

Pillsbury State Forest

Reviewed By Norwegian-at-Heart

If you're looking for a "Sunday Drive" any day of the week, Pillsbury State Forest offers a great circle run using two forest roads and three regular highways. Driving slowly along the rolling, canopied gravel roads, I've encountered bald eagles, hawks, ducks, deer, squirrels as well as bicyclers, motorcyclists, horseback riders, hunters, hikers and other motorists, depending on the day and the weather. I'm a photographer, so I stop often. On October 8th, I basked under the colored canopies. I returned, November 5, and was amazed to see numerous waterbodies (usually hidden by leaves or snow) sparkling in the sunlight not far from the forest road. Pack a picnic. Hike one of numerous trails. Or just enjoy the drive!

8. Mississippi Headwaters State Forest

Wilton Hill Road Northwest, Bemidji, MN 56601 +1 651-296-6157 http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/state_forests/sft00034/index.html
Excellent
86%
Good
0%
Satisfactory
14%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 7 reviews

Mississippi Headwaters State Forest

9. Chengwatana State Forest

Chengwatana Road, Pine City, MN 55063 +1 651-296-6157 http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/state_forests/sft00012/index.html
Excellent
50%
Good
50%
Satisfactory
0%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 2 reviews

Chengwatana State Forest

10. Sand Dunes State Forest

12968 Fremont Ave, Zimmerman, MN 55398-9414 +1 612-856-4826 http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/state_forests/sft00045/index.html
Excellent
55%
Good
9%
Satisfactory
18%
Poor
18%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.0 based on 11 reviews

Sand Dunes State Forest

Reviewed By LindaMarieChristen

If you are a primitive camper, this is an excellent, self-pay camp area with lots of bushes & trees between nice size sites giving plenty of privacy, which I prefer! .Nearby is Ann Lake swimming beach which has a nice sandy area, nice clear & clean lake with gradual increase in water depth to buoys, little pan fish swim around giving kids some extra fun! The only down fall is the flight of steps to go down to beach area or back up to 2 pit toilets. Since the 4-H camp was set afire a few years back unfortunately the place needs some tidying up. but will not detour me from this place. Lots of trails and even camping for the horse enthusiasts! The small town of Orrock is close by with a convenience store, a bar & grill & a Off sale liquor store for all your needs. Sherburne Wild Life Refuge is right next to the State Forest and has many hiking trails, a 7 mile one-way car trip through native grass lands and hardwood trees. A Large Eagles nest sits among the beauty of this area consisting of many birds

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