The Little-Known Natural Wonder In Minnesota That Becomes Even More Enchanting In The Wintertime

At more than 700,000 acres, Beltrami Island State Forest is the second-largest state forest in the Land of 10,000 Lakes. However, it's located in a (relatively speaking) sparsely populated area of northern Minnesota near the Canadian border, so it's not as well known or as visited as other units in the system. But make no mistake, this state forest in Minnesota is a natural wonder - and it becomes even more spectacular when the mantle of winter settles on its shoulders.

Beltrami Island State Forest, for all intents and purposes, stretches from Red Lake in the south to Lake of the Woods in the north.

This satellite image is angled toward the southwest, with Lake of the Woods in the lower right corner and Upper and Lower Red Lake toward the upper left. The dark expanse stretched between them is mostly comprised of Beltrami Island State Forest.

This massive expanse of pristine wilderness includes portions of the largest peatland in the Lower 48 and stands of old-growth pines.

You'll find the headwaters of five rivers - the Moose, Rapid, Roseau, Warroad, and Winter Road Rivers - within the forest.

With all the peatlands, bogs, wetlands, and waterways within this forest, large portions of it are inaccessible in warmer weather.

But in winter, when the water and ground are frozen, this state forest in Minnesota comes alive.

Almost 140 miles of snowmobile trails weave their way through the forest.

Another 160 miles of hiking and hunter walking trails are explorable on foot or by snowshoe - or cross-country ski, if you don't mind breaking your own trail.

There are several developed recreation areas within the forest, including Bemis Hill, where you'll find a sledding hill with an impressive run.

Prior to the forest's 1933 establishment, folks tried to drain some of the peatlands by digging canals in order to establish farms. These efforts were largely unsuccessful, and the homesteads were largely abandoned.

Because of this, you'll find many historic sites, like Winner Silo, and ruins throughout the forest.

Big Bog State Recreation Area and a large portion of the Upper Red Lake Peatland lie within the forest.

Together, they comprise one of only eight National Natural Landmarks located within the state of Minnesota.

Hayes Lake State Park also falls within the boundaries of the forest, providing additional recreational opportunities.

In addition to these state parks, the forest is also home to seven state scientific and natural areas, as well as the largest wildlife management area in Minnesota.

And there's no better time to explore any of these places in the forest than winter.

When you visit Beltrami Island State Forest, whether in the winter or summer, be sure to be prepared. It's a wild place that's home to some of the most remote wilderness in the state. Cell service is at best limited and spotty - I've had trouble with reception in some of the small communities near this forest - so when you hit the trail or the frozen surface of a lake, be prepared with paper maps, a standalone GPS, or maps that you've downloaded to your smartphone from an app like AllTrails Plus. And in the winter, be sure to bring along everything you'll need to stay warm and safe.

Have you visited Beltrami Island State Forest or one of its neighboring state parks? Tell us about your experience in the comments!