In this issue:
A muddy state forest road shows light rutting.
Spring in state forests - know before you go! ⚠️
One day it’s sunny and warm, the next there’s a few inches of snowy slush.
Weather whiplash is a time-honored part of Minnesota spring. It’s hard to predict if you’ll need a down coat or shorts, but you can prepare for a trip to a state forest or state trail by checking the DNR’s temporary closures web page before you hit the road.
Spring’s freeze/thaw cycle creates muddy, unstable conditions. Temporary closures have begun for several roads and motorized trails in state forests, state parks, recreation areas, and wildlife management areas across the state. These closures protect roads and trails that can’t support vehicle traffic without causing damage. Plus - they protect you or your equipment from getting stuck or damaged!
Know before you go to avoid an unwelcome surprise - like a closed gate or impassable road. Information is updated weekly on Thursdays by 2 p.m. Signs are also posted at entry points and parking lots when temporary closures are in effect.
A state forest road closed with a gate.
State forest road improvements will help you Get Out MORE 🚧
Planning to visit a state forest this year to enjoy some camping, birdwatching, or hunting?
If so, you may notice some new improvements to our state forest road system. We have multiple road improvement projects in progress designed to make it easier to access a few state forest campgrounds, public water accesses, and other places to recreate.
These improvements are funded by Get Out MORE (Modernize Outdoor Recreation Experiences), a historic legislative investment to ensure all Minnesotans can enjoy a world-class recreation system. This map shows where you can expect to find road improvements over the next year:
One completed project is Ditchbank State Forest Road in Fond du Lac State Forest. It involved a complete redesign over three water crossings and reconstruction of a road section that historically experienced frequent flooding, leading to extended road closures.
Here’s a glimpse before construction:
Before: The road was unsafe for vehicle traffic, with water often covering the surface. A corrugated metal pipe was in poor condition and undersized, contributing to flooding damage and limiting the passage of fish and other aquatic organisms.
And here’s the completed project, shown in early March:
After: The road was reconstructed with three redesigned water crossings.
Here are a few benefits of this and other planned projects:
Increased public safety
Decreased road closures due to poor road condition
Redesigned water crossings help fish and other aquatic organism movement
Improved user experience (safer for low-clearance vehicles - and a smoother ride!)
We’ll keep you updated on the progress as more projects are completed – making it easier to get out and explore Minnesota’s state forests!
Firefighters are ready for spring wildfire season – but your role is as important 🔥
Spring means wildfire season in Minnesota - on average, 75% of Minnesota’s 1,500 wildfires occur in April and May.
What’s more, 9 out of 10 wildfires in Minnesota are caused by people, with vegetative debris burning (think burning yard waste) the top cause.
Wildland firefighters in Minnesota have been busy preparing by attending their annual refresher course, prepositioning aviation assets, staffing field stations, and making sure equipment and vehicles are ready.
What should you do? Since 90% of wildfires are human-caused – you have an important role in preventing wildfires.
Follow the simple prevention tips shared by DNR wildfire prevention specialist Karen Harrison in this interview.
Check your local burning restrictions before you start any fire.
Remember – Only You Can Prevent Wildfires!
State forest scene: Singing in spring 📷
A winter wren sings from a branch in Beltrami Island State Forest in April 2024. (Photo submitted by Brilyn Brecka.)
Each issue, we'll share an image captured in one of our state forests. We'd love to see how you enjoy public lands! Share your state forest photos.