Crow Wing County Forest

Crow Wing County | Minnesota

What We’re Doing
Protecting essential landscape around the mighty Mississippi River’s headwaters.

Our Goal
Create more places that bring all Minnesotan’s outside to enjoy the state’s natural beauty.

Support Our Work in Minnesota

Crow Wing County Forest by the Numbers

1,435

acres of land protected

17+

miles of trails

Unleash Your Inner Explorer at the 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 continues to safeguard these special spaces that connect us all to Minnesota’s natural beauty. This work is part of our Mississippi Headwaters work, which is included in our Minnesota’s River program.

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

About This Project

Dahler Lake

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.

Crow Wing County Forest North

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.

Mississippi River Northwoods Habitat Complex

The Brainerd Lakes Area is one of Minnesota’s most rapidly growing regions and a popular destination for many types of outdoor recreation. It also provides valuable habitat for spawning fish, migrating waterfowl, and Blanding’s —a threatened species. For nearly ten years, Trust for Public Land and partners have worked to protect this landscape, linking it to nearby conservation lands, and creating a nine-mile stretch of protected land along the Mississippi River
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Get in Touch with Our Minnesota Team

St. Paul Office

2610 University Avenue
Suite 300
St. Paul, MN, 55114
(651) 760-0179
minnesota@tpl.org