You'll Be Blown Away By These 8 Amazing State Forests In Minnesota

Minnesota is blessed to have 58 state forests with nearly 4 million acres of an amazing variety of scenery. And it’s all free! From the Mississippi River to the Northwoods, there is something for everyone! Rather than spending all your time at the crowded state parks, try a trip through the forests and explore the real MN backcountry. Here is a just a sampling of what Minnesota’s State Forests have to offer.

Flickr/mara

Flickr/GSankary

This southeastern MN forest spans 1,016,204 acres and contains several trails, campgrounds, and recreational areas along the Mississippi bluffs.

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Kyle Ensrude

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Flickr/USFWS Midwest

Wrapped around Sherburne National Wildlife Refuge, the 11,040 acres of this state forest contain the 225-acre Bob Dunn Recreation Area and the Ann Lake Campground and Day-Use Area.

Flickr/Brian

Flickr/Robert Engberg

The gateway to Voyageurs National Park and the BWCA, this state forest covers 619,287 acres of Northern MN.

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Flickr/USFWS Midwest

Flickr/Dalliedee

One of the smaller state forests, these 710 acres nestled between Birch Lake and Little Birch Lake are where MN's Northern woods transition to the Southern prairie.

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Facebook/Cathleen Anderson via Minnesota State Parks and Trails

This 96,270 forest ranges from swamps and rolling hills to steep forests along the Minnesota-Wisconsin border.

Flickr/Jacob Norland

This 144,412-acre forest, surrounded by Canada, offers some of the most scenic driving in the state and is a true escape.

Flickr/Doug Kerr

Only a few miles from Tettegouche State Park lies this 311,970-acre wooded paradise with 50 miles of roads to access the lakes and numerous campgrounds.

Flickr/red.raleigh

This 64,505-acre forest surrounding Jay Cooke State Park has an amazing variety of trails for hiking and cross-country skiing, not to mention some amazing places to canoe or ATV.

Have you ever been to a Minnesota State Forest? Which ones are closest to where you live? Share photos of your favorite forest with us on the Only In Minnesota Facebook Page so we can feature it next time!