News release: DNR announces online land sale

November 10, 2022


The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources will hold an online land sale
Dec. 1-14 to sell 11 parcels in Itasca, St. Louis and Wadena counties. The parcels include vacant rural and lakeshore properties.

This year’s online public auction is in partnership with the Minnesota Department of Administration via MinnBid, the state of Minnesota’s surplus services online auction website. Property will be available for bidding Thursday, Dec. 1 through Wednesday, Dec. 14. Prior to participating in the online auction, anyone interested in bidding on a property should register for an account on the MinnBid website.

Annual land sales help the DNR manage its land holdings and meet its responsibility to maximize recreation, conservation, and economic opportunities for the state. The DNR sells land at public auction in accordance with state statutes.

“In recent years, online auctions have gained popularity and provide a convenient opportunity to bid on state land, complementing DNR’s traditional in person auction approach,” said Andrea Johnson, DNR land sale coordinator. “People who purchase vacant land from the DNR often use the parcel for hunting or other recreational purposes. Depending on size, lakeshore lots may be suitable for small cabins or the perfect place to park a camper trailer.”

For more information, including property data sheets, terms and conditions of sale, and instructions for participating in the MinnBid system, and to sign up for land sale updates, visit the DNR's Land Sale page. For questions about a specific property, call 651-259-5432, 888-646-6367 or email [email protected].

DNR natural resource managers identify lands for sale that no longer meet conservation or recreation needs, are isolated from larger management areas or parcels, or may resolve conflicting management uses.

Public lands provide support for natural resource-based economies, access to outdoor recreation, ecological benefits like clean air and water, and critical habitat for wildlife and rare plant species.  Depending on the type of land sold, revenue from sales may go to the School Trust or provide funds to allow the DNR to invest in other, high priority acquisitions. 

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