Minnesota’s Most Underrated Old-Growth Forest You Need to Visit

Although there are more than 44,000 acres of state-managed old-growth forest in Minnesota (and there are certainly more on other public and private lands), it's estimated less than 5 percent of the total forested area in the Land of 10,000 Lakes consists of such areas. As you're certainly aware, the main reason for the dwindling amount of old-growth forest in our state was poorly managed timber harvesting in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.

Fortunately, we now understand the ecological importance of managing our use of forest resources to preserve as much old-growth forest as possible. Some of the best-known examples of these groves include the Lost 40 and Itasca Wilderness Sanctuary SNA. Another incredible example of old-growth forest is one that you may have visited and not even realized what you were seeing. One of the state's best preserved swaths of old-growth forest is hiding in plain sight at Crosby Manitou State Park - and because many visitors don't know it's there, it's one of the most overlooked old-growth forests in Minnesota.

George H. Crosby Manitou State Park is the namesake of a wealthy mining executive who amassed a large tract of pristine Northwoods wilderness during the early 1900s and left it intact. Crosby donated more than 3,300 acres of the rugged wilderness to the state, which formally established the park in 1955. The park is managed as a "wilderness park" - no visitor center, no plumbing, no paved roads, no developed campgrounds. To access any of the park's dispersed campsites, visitors must hike or paddle in.

Within the park, you will find a 166-acre stand of northern hardwoods forest containing sugar maples as old as 200 years and, even more impressive, individual yellow birches that were already saplings when the pilgrims arrived at Plymouth Rock in 1620. Another 196-acre grove of upland white cedar forest contains individual trees estimated to be 300 years old. The aptly named Yellow Birch and Cedar Ridge Trails - a rugged, moderately-challenging 8.5-mile loop - will take you through these tree temples.

If you haven't visited this incredible old-growth forest in Minnesota, I think George H. Crosby Manitou State Park should definitely be on your bucket list. Visit the park's page on the DNR website for more information or to make camping reservations. Be sure to bring AllTrails Plus with you when you go. It has downloadable maps of the park's trails that can be used offline, which is a good thing because cell service ranges from spotty to nonexistent in the park. If you know about other old-growth forests in Minnesota that we should check out, be sure to tell us about them. Then, find out some of our fave Minnesota nature spots using our new Travel Planner!