Minnesota State Forest Trail Revision Project

The DNR is considering a number of measures to improve trail sustainability and enhance user experiences for both motorized and non-motorized uses including:

• Adding new trails
• Adding trail connections
• Changing allowable trail uses
• Designating areas where motor vehicle use is restricted during trapping and hunting seasons
• Closing unsustainable trails

The trail system changes will not include changing forest-wide motor vehicle use classifications. Current state forest motor vehicle use classifications.

Forest Trail Revisions Project Description

Phase II Common Terms

Projects in progress

Richard J. Dorer Memorial Hardwood

State forest: Richard J.Dorer Memorial Hardwood State Forest
Zumbro Bottoms, Hay Creek and Kruger Management Units
County: Goodhue, Wabasha
Forest Classification: Limited
Project documents:

• Frequently asked questions.
  • PowerPoint from August 27 meeting
  • Chat conversation from August 27 meeting

 

Comment period ended September 10, 2020.

Project contact: Joe Unger, Parks and Trails Division, 500 Lafayette Rd. St. Paul, MN 55155.

Fond du Lac State Forest

State forest: Fond du Lac
Counties: Carlton, St.Louis
Forest Classification: Limited
Project documents:

• Frequently asked questions
• Map of eastern area of the forest
• Map of northern area of the forest
• Map of southern area of the forest
• Presentation from March 11, 2021 meeting

 

Comment period ended March 25, 2020.

Project contact: Joe Unger, Parks and Trails Division, 500 Lafayette Rd. St. Paul, MN 55155.

Foot Hills

State forest: Foot Hills
County: Cass
Forest Classification: Limited
Project documents:

• Frequently asked questions
• Map of northern area of the forest PDF
• Map of central area of the forest PDF
• Map of southern area of the forest PDF
• Presentation from April 26, 2021 Public Meeting
• 2004 Foot Hills Recreations Visitor's Study

Comment period ended May 14, 2021. 

Project contact: Joe Unger, Parks and Trails Division, 500 Lafayette Rd. St. Paul, MN 55155.

Completed State Forests

Beltrami Island

State forest: Beltrami Island
County:  Beltrami, Lake of the Woods, Roseau
Classification: Managed
Project documents:

• Presentation from June 28, 2017 meeting.
• At-a-glance overview.
• Frequently asked questions.

Maps

• Bemis Hill Area
• Palsburg Area
• Faunce-Butterfield Area
• Moose River Area
• Linder Area
• Grover Trail Area
• Star of the North HWT

 

Chengwatana

State forest: Chengwatana
County: Pine
Classification: Limited
Project documents:

• At-a-glance overview.
• Map showing undesignated OHV trails and areas with limitations on OHV use.
• Map showing new trail designations.

General C.C. Andrews

State forest: General C.C. Andrews
County: Pine
Classification: Limited
Project documents:

• At-a-glance overview.
• Map showing undesignated OHV trails and areas with limitations on OHV use.
• Map showing new trail designations.

Huntersville and Lyons

State forests: 

• Huntersville
• Lyons

County: Wadena
Classification: Limited
Project documents:

• Frequently asked questions.

Maps:

• Proposed trail changes in Huntersville State Forest.
• Proposed trail changes in Lyons State Forest.

Comment period ended Mar. 13, 2019.

 

Kabetogama

State forest: Kabetogama
County:

• Koochiching
• St. Louis

Classification: Managed
Project documents:

• At-a-glance overview.
• Maps of proposed trail revisions.

Comment period ended Oct. 11, 2018.

Nemadji

State forest: Nemadji
County: Pine
Classification: Limited
Project documents:

• At-a-glance overview.
• Map showing undesignated OHV trails, new hunter walking trails, and areas with limitations on OHV use.
• Map showing new trail designations.

North St. Louis and Lake Counties

State forests:

• Bear Island
• Burntside
• Insula Lake
• Lake Isabella
• Lake Jeanette
• Sturgeon River
• Scattered state forest lands in northern St. Louis County.

County:

• St. Louis
• Lake

Classification:

• Closed
• Limited
• Managed

Project documents:

• At-a-glance overview.
• Maps of proposed trail revisions.​​​​​​​

Comment period ended Oct. 11, 2018.

 

Rum River

State forest: Rum River
County: Mille Lacs
Classification: Limited
Project documents:

• Frequently asked questions.
• At a glance overview 
• Submit your thoughts and ideas here.

Maps

• Proposed trail designation maps.

 

St. Croix

State forest: St. Croix
County: Pine
Classification: Limited
Project documents:

• At-a-glance overview.
• Map showing all designation changes.

More information

For more information about trail designation in state forests, contact:

Joe Unger
Division of Parks and Trails
651-259-5279
[email protected]