Huntersville State Forest
| Huntersville State Forest | |
|---|---|
Pinus banksiana, Pinus resinosa |
The Huntersville State Forest is a state forest located in Wadena County, Minnesota. Around half of the forest is managed by the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, with the other half controlled privately.
History
The history of the forest mirrors that of the majority of northern Minnesota. The area was inhabited by the
railroads, and finally tapered off with the disappearance of old-growth forests
at the end of the nineteenth century.
Flora and fauna
At present, the forest consists largely of
Jack pine on the loamy sand upland sites, although aspen and paper birch are not uncommon. The abundance of pine on upland sites make dangerous wildfires highly probable during the fire season. Fire lookout towers and airplanes
are used for early detection during especially dry periods conducive to wildfire.
Recreation
The forest's
swimming, boating, canoeing, and kayaking on the Crow Wing and Shell Rivers. Hiking and cross-country skiing have designated trails within the forest, as well as 18 miles (29 km) designated for horseback riding, 3.6 miles (5.8 km) available for Class I and II all-terrain vehicle use, and 58 miles (93 km) for dirt biking.[1]
See also
References
- ^ "Huntersville State Forest". Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. 2010-09-21. Retrieved 2010-09-22.