General C.C. Andrews State Forest is located nearby in Willow River, MN. This state forest is named after General Christopher Columbus Andrews, a Civil War general and Minnesota’s first chief fire warden. General Andrews was appointed in 1895 following a series of deadly, historic fires that plagued the area after large logging operations left behind thousands of acres of branches and debris. After settlers arrived in the late 1800s, many found the sandy soils unsuitable for growing crops and abandoned their farms, letting the land ownership revert back to Pine County. In 1939, the state of Minnesota acquired the lands and established the General Andrews State Forest Nursery to raise tree seedlings to reforest harvested areas on public and private lands throughout the state. In the 1940s, the Works Progress Administration built some of the DNR buildings that are still on the site. The rest of the area was managed for timber and wildlife. In 1943, the entire area, including the nursery, was organized into a state forest. After the nursery closed in 2014, it was repurposed to train wildland firefighters and produce selectively chosen tree seeds to reforest state lands. This State Forest has gently rolling terrain and sandy soils. The Willow River meanders its way toward the Kettle River to the west.
The DNR manages the trees, water, and wildlife in state forests to keep them healthy and meet recreational, environmental, and economic goals for everyone. Trees are harvested to make a variety of products, such as lumber and building materials, pulp for making paper, pallets, fencing, and telephone poles. Through careful planning, harvesting, and planting, land managers create forest openings or plan trees and vegetation to improve habitat for mammals and waterfowl. The DNR Manages state forests to prevent wildfires and keep our air and water clean.
Twenty-four miles of ATV/OHM trails meander through the General C.C. Andrews State Forest. With level to gently rolling terrain and smooth sandy soil, this forest offers enjoyable riding for all experience levels. The well-drained soils typically make this one of the earliest forest trail systems to open each spring. Trails are maintained by the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources.
Minnesota DNR Parks & Trail 218-460-7020.
