Birch Lakes State Forest

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Max stay

14 nights

About

Birch Lakes State Forest is one of the smallest state forests but also among the most intriguing. It is located in the transition zone between Minnesota's forested region to the northeast and the prairie region to the southwest. This forest is located between Little Birch and Birch Lake , which is known as a walleye lake with 2,025 acres of surface water, 12.5 miles of shoreline, a maximum depth of 77 feet, and a public access. Water clarity is considered good to excellent. Management Birch Lakes State Forest is managed primarily as a recreation area due to its small size. The forest, however, does produce timber, provide habitat for wildlife, and demonstrate forest management principles. Aspen and other hardwoods have been harvested to benefit wildlife and are currently regenerating naturally through root and stump sprouting. Some fuelwood has been and will continue to be harvested as the result of stress from drought, insects, and disease. Scattered areas of pine and spruce have been planted to add biodiversity. The forest boundary encloses 637 acres on Section 36 of Melrose Township, with 487 acres owned by the state. The remaining lands are privately owned. A working forest From year to year, you may see changes in this forest. The DNR manages the trees, water, and wildlife in state forests to keep them healthy and meet recreational, environmental, and economic goals. Trees are harvested to make a variety of products, such as lumber and building materials, pulp for making paper, pallets, fencing, and utility poles. Through careful planning, harvesting, and planting, land managers work to improve wildlife habitat. The DNR manages state forests for everyone to use, while preventing wildfires and ensuring forests continue to keep air and water clean. Trees Uplands support stands of red oak, basswood, and aspen. Red maple and green ash are common understory trees. Tamarack may be found in lowland areas. Wildlife Mammals include white-tailed deer, squirrels (gray, fox, and red), raccoon, red fox, eastern cottontail, eastern chipmunk, woodchuck, beaver, coyote, skunk, and muskrat. Bird watchers may find ruffed grouse, wild turkey, along with woodpeckers, vireos, warblers, and a variety of woodland songbirds. Bourestom Trail Five miles of trails wind through the 630-acre forest providing wildlife viewing in the summer and snowmobiling in the winter. The trail is open to cross-country skiing in the winter but is not groomed. No Great Minnesota Ski Pass required. History Birch Lakes State Forest is managed primarily for recreation. In 1959, citizens lobbied the Minnesota Legislature to create a park in Stearns County near Big Birch Lake. Nearly all of the lakeshore is privately developed, making the Big Birch Lake Campground and Day-Use Area are popular public destinations for camping, swimming, and hiking. Big Birch Lake was created by glacial movement approximately 35,000 years ago. People have lived in this area for centuries. The Ojibwe referred to the lake as ga wigwassensikag sagaiiigun, or "place of the little birches." Traces of an ancient fort were discovered along the shore in the mid-19th century. Between the mid-1800s and today, the lake went through several name changes, including Birch Bark Fort Lake, Fort Lake, Birch Lake, and finally Big Birch Lake. The Minnesota Legislature established this state forest in 1963. With improved fire protection and active management, the forest today provides recreation, scenery, wildlife, watershed protection, raw materials, and jobs for the people of Minnesota. Landscape Birch Lakes State Forest, one of the smallest state forests, is located in the deciduous forest biome. Visitors can hike through dense forests of maple, oak, and basswood and access Big Birch Lake. Topography is rolling to hilly, with shallow depressions that contain water.