Ancient red and white pines grace the secluded Lost Forty area in the Chippewa National Forest.

Two vast areas of lakes and woods in northern Minnesota were set aside as national forests a hundred years ago.  The Superior National Forest, stretching across the Arrowhead region in the northeast tip of the state, was established in 1909 by President Theodore Roosevelt.  A year earlier, the Chippewa National Forest, in north central Minnesota, became the first national forest east of the Mississippi River.

Thick woods of pine, spruce, birch, aspen and maple carpet the rolling hills of the two forests, cradling more than 3,000 lakes.  There are lots of options for enjoying the two forests: mountain biking on forest roads, launching a boat or canoe for a day of fishing, hiking a secluded trail, participating in a naturalist program, or camping in a shady site.  There are dozens of scenic campgrounds in the two forests, and these areas are also home to numerous resorts with lakeside cabins.

The easiest way to explore the forests is to travel along one of the designated scenic byways that wind through these woods.  In the Superior National Forest, drive the Gunflint Trail heading inland from Grand Marais, or the Superior National Forest Byway that links the North Shore of Lake Superior to the Iron Range.  In the Chippewa, byways include the Edge of the Wilderness north from Grand Rapids, the Avenue of the Pines north from Deer River, and the Ladyslipper Scenic Byway near Cass Lake.

Hikers can trek to the highest point in Minnesota, a 7-mile round-trip to the top of Eagle Mountain; this hiking path is in the vicinity of the Gunflint Trail.  In the Chippewa Forest, the Lost Forty, a remote area off the Avenue of Pines, offers a peaceful stroll through a virgin woods of tall red and white pines.

Other highlights in the Chippewa are tours of the restored 1930s CCC Camp Rabideau, one of only three remaining from that Depression-era works program; the Norway Beach Recreation Area on Cass Lake; and the nearby paved Migizi biking trail. Two of Minnesota’s largest and most popular fishing lakes, Winnibigoshish and Leech, are also in the Chippewa National Forest.

There is a large population of eagles in both the Chippewa and Superior National Forests.

Superior, the fourth largest national forest in the country, also includes the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness (see the separate article on these pages).  Superior National Forest will celebrate its centennial this year with many special events, including tree plantings, a kids’ fishing day, special hikes and interpretive programs, open houses, art showings, and an international canoe expedition.  Check their website for more details.  Visitors to the North Shore of Lake Superior and to the Iron Range area will find many Superior National Forest trails, campgrounds, boat landings and swimming beaches to enjoy.

For more info:

Superior National Forest
www.fs.fed.us/r9/superior

Chippewa National Forest
www.fs.fed.us/r9/chippewa