Crow Wing County Forest

Crow Wing County Forest in North Central Minnesota is an adventurer’s paradise. Mixed hardwood and pine forests spread across this incredible landscape and provide the perfect backdrop for some of the best hiking trails, horseback riding sites, and wildlife viewing locations in the state. Even fishers, kayakers, and hunters find solace along the lakes, streams, and creeks that are scattered throughout these breathtaking woods.

This area is part of the Mississippi Headwaters region, a critical region spanning 400 miles from the main stem of this iconic river and across its watersheds. The Mississippi River is one of the greatest river systems in the world with over 18 million people depending on its watershed for water supply, but this area is also under threat of development, especially agricultural conversion.

We risk losing this iconic landscape forever, which is why Trust for Public Land is working to safeguard these special spaces that connect us all to Minnesota’s natural beauty.

In 2019, we helped protect over 155 acres of land as an addition to the Crow Wing County Forest, including over a mile and a half of river frontage on the Mississippi River. In 2023, TPL helped add an additional 1,280 acres near Emily, a single block of forest known as Dahler Lake, expanding recreational opportunities, protecting wildlife habitat, and preserving water quality throughout the region. The acquisition also permanently protected a key segment of the Emily Snowbird snowmobile trail.

Funding for these projects was provided from the Outdoor Heritage Fund as recommended by the Lessard-Sams Outdoor Heritage Council.