Toad Mountain Wildlife Management Area

With sweeping views of Toad Lake and the Smokey Hills State Forest, the Toad Mountain Wildlife Management Area (WMA) is one of Becker County’s natural treasures. That’s why Trust for Public Land, in partnership with the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) and Becker County, has permanently protected this remarkable landscape and placed it in public hands.

Surrounded by rich forests, wetlands, and lakeshore, the community has long recognized the importance of safeguarding this place. Now preserved, the Toad Mountain WMA offers year-round opportunities to explore and enjoy the outdoors—from hiking and taking in the panoramic vistas to camping, cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, and hunting. The protection of this land also opens the door to a potential reroute of the Heartland State Trail, moving it off County Road 39 and onto public land. This opportunity would strengthen Becker County’s recreation-based economy while deepening local connections to nature.

Beyond recreation, the WMA will play a vital role in supporting wildlife habitat and improving water quality across the region. Our long-standing partnership with the DNR to create and expand Wildlife Management Areas continues to protect Minnesota’s most cherished natural places to ensure that landscapes like Toad Mountain remain vibrant, healthy, and accessible for generations to come.