Red Lake Peatland SNA

87,580 Acres (82,783 Acres) Located approximately 12 miles N of Washkish on MN Hwy 72. Park along highway shoulder near road crossings of the ditches, each side of Hwy 72. Beltrami County Twp 155N-157N Rng 28W-35W Sec Type: Coniferous Forest ECS Subsection: Agassiz Lowlands

Description:

The Red Lake Peatland contains the largest, most diversely patterned peatland in the United States. It lies in the middle of the Agassiz Lowland landscape region in the north central part of the state. Over 50 miles long and 12 miles wide, the big bog, as it is called, features the largest, best developed water track in the United States. The area contains ovoid islands, circular islands, raised bogs, and every pattern of fen feature--tear drop islands, circular islands, and ribbed fens. Transitions in these surface patterns are of international significance in the effort to understand peatland features and succession. Trails used by caribou in their migration to Canada's calving grounds can still be seen, though the last migration took place in the 1930s. A portion of the area has been designated a National Natural Landmark. This national treasure provides habitat for the Eastern timber wolf, short-eared owl, yellow rail, Wilson's phalarope, and the greater sandhill crane. Rare rushes, sundews, and mountain yellow-eyed grass await the observant viewer. Part of this vast peatland is the Maurice O'Link unit, gifted in memory of Maurice O'Link. * The Wetland Conservation Act of 1991 legislatively established the boundaries of the Peatland SNA as displayed. The acreage of land within these boundaries is cited first. The acreage of land owned by the State of Minnesota is cited in parenthesis.

Plant List

Visitor notes:

If you intend to visit this site it is advisable to carry a topographical map produced by the U.S. Geological Survey. These maps display many old logging trails which may or may not be identifiable on the ground anymore.