Canoeing Motorized Vehicle Use Features Do You …files.dnr.state.mn.us/maps/state_forests/sft00034.pdfnational origin, sex, marital status, public assistance status, age, sexual orientation,

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For More InformationIn case of emergency call 911

Department of Natural Resources 500 Lafayette Road St. Paul, MN 55155-4040 651-296-6157 (Metro Area) 1-888-MINNDNR (646-6367) (MN Toll Free) mndnr.gov e-mail: [email protected]

This document is available in alternative formats to individuals with disabilities by calling 651-296-6157 (Metro Area) or 1-888-MINNDNR (646-6367) (MN Toll Free) or Telecommunication Device for the Deaf/TTY: 651-296-5484 (Metro Area) or 1-800-657-3929 (Toll Free TTY).

Printed on recycled paper containing 30% post-consumer fiber.

©2010, State of Minnesota, Department of Natural Resources

Equal opportunity to participate in and benefit from programs of the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources is available to all individuals regardless of race, color, creed, religion, national origin, sex, marital status, public assistance status, age, sexual orientation, disability, or activity on behalf of a local human rights commission. Discrimination inquiries should be sent to Minnesota DNR, 500 Lafayette Road, St. Paul, MN 55155-4049; or the Equal Opportunity Office, Department of the Interior, Washington, DC 20240.

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InvasivesFirewood and Larvae

Transporting firewood is a major culprit in spreading emerald ash borer (EAB) and other insect pests. Larvae and pupae can hide beneath the bark and then escape as adult beetles after being transported many miles.

The danger of spreading EAB and other invasive species convinced the 2007 Minnesota Legislature to pass a law prohib-iting visitors from bringing unapproved firewood onto state land. If you want to have a campfire in a state forest or state park, you can only use local approved wood either purchased on site or from a local approved firewood vendor (mndnr.gov/firewood). Dead wood may be gathered for campfires on site in state forests.

Mud and SeedsDon’t like weeds? Don’t spread seeds!Hundreds of weed seeds may be caked in the mud on your

tires, boots, and gear. Before you leave, remove mud from your stuff—and put it in a

safe place where seeds can’t sprout.Some invasive weeds in northern Minnesota state forests

include: Canada thistle, European buckthorn, Siberian elm, spotted knapweed, oxeye daisy, common tansy, crown vetch, flowering rush, butter-and-eggs, and hoary alyssum.

Gathering in a State ForestIf you know what to look for, the forest can be a smorgasbord

of gourmet delights. Please be responsible. It’s OK to collect berries, nuts, and mushrooms for personal use. Gathering eggs is not allowed. In general, gather less than 75 percent of the wild plants you find, and cut only the leaves of wild greens. Cut mushrooms above the ground. Leave overripe berries behind so the seeds can produce more bushes. Permits are required for commercial harvest of medicinal plants, wild foods such as wild rice and seeds, and decorative and floral greens, including birch bark.

Bald eagle

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Area map, trail information, and recreation guide

Mississippi Headwaters State Forest

45,290 acres Established in 1935

LocationMississippi Headwaters State Forest is located in south-

western Beltrami County and in parts of Hubbard and Clearwater counties about 4 miles west of the city of Bemidji. Mississippi Headwaters State Forest is bordered by Paul Bunyan State Forest to the south. Lake Bemidji State Park is within 7 miles and Itasca State Park is within 1⁄4 mile of the state forest.

Mississippi Headwaters State Forest HighlightsThis state forest’s namesake is the Headwaters of the

Mississippi River. Most of the river’s first 40 miles meanders through state forest and is designated as a state water trail. Carry-in access opportunities include Coffee Pot Landing, Stumphges Rapids, Bear Den Landing, and Pine Point Landing.

Dispersed camping occurs in the forest. Some designated campsites are present.

TrailsHiking

Hunter Walking TrailsMountain Biking

1.3 Miles Class 1 and 2 ATVSnowmobiling

Cross-Country SkiingMississippi River Water Trail

FeaturesThe Rognlien Beach Day-Use Area located on Grant Lake

has picnic tables, a swimming beach, carry-in access, dock, boat ramp, and fishing opportunities. The day-use area is managed by Beltrami County, 218-333-4210.

The first segment of the Mississippi River Water Trail is in this forest.

Other DestinationsItasca State Park

Paul Bunyan State ForestBuena Vista State ForestWhite Earth State Forest

Henry O. Bjoring Wildlife Management Area (WMA)Upper Rice Wildlife Management Area (WMA)

Iron Springs Bog Scientific and Natural Area (See description)Schoolcraft ATV/OHM Trail

State Forest Rules

Birds include: Bald eagleOspreyNorthern goshawkGreat-horned owlBarred owlTrumpeter swanWood duckHooded merganserRing-necked duckSandhill craneVirginia railSoraAmerican woodcock Common snipeRuffed grousePileated woodpeckerBlack-backed woodpeckerNorthern flickerCommon ravenWoodland warbler speciesNorthern shrikeVeerySwainson’s thrushScarlet tanagerRose-breasted grosbeak

Fruit and nut-bearing trees and shrubs include:

Cherry trees Dogwood shrubs Blueberry Highbush cranberry Serviceberry

NannyberryArrowwoodRaspberryHazel

WILDFIRESCOST YOU!

A complete list of rules and laws regulating state forest activities is available at mndnr.gov/state_forests.

CampingIf you’re looking for fewer people and a relaxed atmosphere,

then state forest campgrounds are for you. Many state forest camp-grounds feature spacious, shaded campsites along lakes or rivers.

All campsites are available on a first-come, first-served basis. The campsites are considered “primitive.” They consist of a cleared area, fire ring, and table. Vault toilets, garbage cans, and drinking water are available. Camping fees are collected at the campgrounds.

Dispersed camping (camping outside of designated campsites and campgrounds on state forest land) is permitted. There are no furnished amenities or fees. Practice “leave no trace” camping and pack out what you packed in.

CampfiresAs a state forest visitor, you may have camp-

fires in designated fire rings at campsites or in an area cleared of combustible materials 5 feet in all directions around the fire. All fires must be 3 feet or less in diameter.

Have a responsible person attend to the fire at all times. Even a small breeze could quickly cause the fire to spread.

Extinguish the campfire with water using the drown and stir method.

FirearmsFirearms may be discharged in compliance with the law on

state forest lands not posted closed to firearms discharge. Please clean up your spent rounds before you leave.

Shooting ranges, where designated, have special rules. Observe postings on site.

Firearms must be unloaded and cased; bows must be unstrung or cased while in or within 200 feet of a state forest recreation area (campground, day-use area, parking area, etc.).

Iron Springs Bog Scientific and Natural Area (SNA)Iron Springs Bog is named for

springs, rich in iron-oxide, that issue from a gravelly moraine. This site, heavily used by the University of Minnesota Biological Station since the early 1930s, contains a mosaic of raised-bed conifer swamp forest, boreal forest, and pine forest. Dr. Carl Otto Rosendahl was the first researcher to bring classes to the bog for study. Dr. Murray Buell and Helen Buell later followed and also extensively used the site. Minnesotans can be thankful for the attention these researchers brought to this lovely bog. Within the conifer swamp grow some of Minnesota’s rarest plant species, as well as the coral root and ladies’ tresses orchids. The best time to visit is in early spring to mid-summer to view woodland wildflowers of the coniferous forest.

SNAs are established to preserve and perpetuate the ecological diversity of Minnesota’s natural heritage, including landforms, fossil remains, plant and animal communities, rare and endangered species, or other biotic features and geological formations for scientific study.

SNAs are open to the public for nature observation and education, but are not meant for intensive recreational activi-ties. As a general rule there are no trails, restrooms, or other facilities. Pets are not permitted.

Trail near Coffee Pot Landing. Mississippi Headwaters State Forest.

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Towering red pines in Itasca State Park.

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Wild blueberries can be found growing in sandy soils along trails and roads. See Gathering in a State Forest.

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Trees in the forest include: Jack pine

Red (Norway) pine White pine Balsam fir White spruce Black spruce Tamarack Black ash

Green ash Red oak Sugar maple Elm Birch Aspen

Wildlife Mammals present include:

White-tailed deer Red squirrelBlack bear Snowshoe hareTimber wolf Northern flying squirrelRed fox PorcupineCoyote Beaver Bobcat MuskratWeasel Shrews River otter Bats American badger MolesFisher VolesMink Mice

Wildlife Management Areas (WMAs)There are two WMAs near (but not in) the Mississippi

Headwaters State Forest: Henry O. Bjoring WMA and Upper Rice WMA.

WMAs were established to protect land and water that have a high potential for wildlife production, public hunting, trapping, fishing, and other compatible recreational uses.

Waterfowl, deer, and ruffed grouse are the major game species hunted, but WMAs also provide wild turkey, sharp-tailed grouse, rabbit, black bear, and squirrel hunting.

The Minnesota Legislature and sports enthusiasts have funded WMA land acquisition in many different ways. The mainstay of funding has been the surcharge on the Small Game Hunting License, although funding has come from other sources as well.

Pine grosbeakBaltimore orioleWhite-throated sparrowRed crossbillWhite-winged crossbill

The state forest also provides habitat for many species of reptiles and amphibians, including snapping turtle, painted turtle, spring peeper, gray treefrog, mink frog, tiger salamander, garter snake, and green snake.

Mink frog

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Recreation in the Mississippi Headwaters State Forest

The natural history and features of the Mississippi Headwaters State Forest make this area excellent for a variety of recreational opportunities such as hiking, wildlife viewing, trail riding, hunting, trapping, snowmobiling, camping, and especially canoeing and kayaking on the first segment of the Mississippi River Water Trail.

HistoryIn the late 1800s, most logging in this area was carried out by

the Crookston Lumber Company. It developed rail lines (most now abandoned), logging roads, and communities in the area. Later, homesteaders cleared the “stump fields,” turning them into agricul-tural land. Due to the sandy, rocky nature of the soils, combined with the Great Depression, many of those homesteads failed.

If you look closely, you can still see remnants of old logging roads, railroad grades, and homestead sites. Many of the roads and trails in use today were originally cleared by the early loggers.

The State Legislature established Mississippi Headwaters State Forest in 1935. The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) owns and manages about 9,000 acres. Beltrami, Clearwater, and Hubbard counties own and manage about 19,000 acres. The rest is privately owned.

Geologic History When the glaciers receded around 10,000 years ago, they left

moraines—piles of unsorted glacial till composed of sand, clay, rocks, and boulders. In the southwest area of the forest near Itasca State Park you can see terminal moraines, which are steep hills that formed at the edge of a glacier when it stops growing, pauses, and then retreats. In the northern and eastern areas of the forest the terrain will be flatter and sandy—evidence of an outwash plain, or gently rolling—a result of glacial kames and eskers that give the region the high-quality gravel deposits for which it is known. Hilly kames are formed in one of two ways: from water pooling at the surface of a glacier, or, more dramatically, from a river of melt-water shooting water off the edge of a glacier. Eskers are strings of long, low ridges created as melting rivers of water beneath glaciers deposited soil.

Management ActivitiesMississippi Headwaters State Forest has 30,680 acres of public

lands, of which 8,838 acres are state land and 21,843 acres are Beltrami (most), Clearwater, and Hubbard county lands. In Minnesota, all state-managed lands are certified by third-party inspectors to ensure that all forest activities, such as logging, exceeds internationally-recognized standards. Forest certification promotes responsible forest management and harvesting practices by considering the forest health, forest regeneration, species biodi-versity, wildlife habitat, soil and water quality, and social impacts during growth and harvesting operations.

Trees and PlantsEarly logging removed most of the large pine stands more

than100 years ago. Today, you can see some remnant white and red pine that were too small to cut when the first logging occurred. Jack and red pine predominate in the northern and eastern areas. The Itasca moraine in the southwest supports aspen, birch, sugar maple, red oak, balsam fir, and lowland conifers in meadows adjacent to the Mississippi River. Tracts of more recently regener-ated pine can be found in the forest. About 44 acres of red pine are designated as old growth.

Hunting, Trapping, and FishingHunting, trapping, and fishing are

allowed during the appropriate season and with the correct license. Private holdings within state forests may be posted with “no hunting,” “private property,” or “no trespassing” signs. Hunting on private land within a state forest is subject to state trespass laws.

Hunter Walking Trails exist in the southern part of the state forest (near Wanagan Landing) and in the far eastern section near Plantagenet Lake. Most trails are signed and are designed to provide comparatively easy access to areas used for hunting.

Turn in Poachers: 1-800-652-9093

CanoeingExcellent canoe and kayak opportunities abound in this forest.

The Mississippi Headwaters State Water Trail on the Mississippi River runs through much of this forest. Several public water accesses and campsites are scattered along the length on the river.

ATV Riding •ATV Trail Passes are required for non-residents. Look

for OHV information at: findthetrails.com.

Natural History of the Mississippi Headwaters State Forest

ATV rider.

Do You Know…Why Forests Change?

For millennia, forests have changed naturally through a process called succession. Typically, after a disturbance like fire, storms, or development, the first plants to establish are sun-loving trees like aspen and jack pine. (In many areas, if not managed, a disturbance can also attract invasive species such as buckthorn and garlic mustard.) As these “first succession” trees grow large and age, they shade out their own seedlings. This gives shade-tolerant trees such as maples, basswoods, and white pines a chance to take root. Healthy forests are always changing, and often consist of a variety of species and ages. Foresters manage forests to produce valuable timber, recreational opport unities, and wildlife habitat; and to keep forests healthy for all to enjoy.

Wild rice, Minnesota’s state grain, is abundant along the shores of the Mississippi River and may be harvested when ripe, unless posted otherwise. For an added treat look for morel mushrooms in the spring.

Motorized Vehicle UseAll of the Mississippi

Headwaters State Forest is classified as limited.

All motored vehicles in the Mississippi Headwaters State Forest must:

•Travelatareasonable and prudent speed, and obey posted speed limits and other traffic regulation signs.

•Observeroad,route, and trail closures indicated by signs, barricades, or gates.

•Yieldtonon‑motorizedusersandshutoffthevehiclewhen meeting a horse until the horse has passed or until waved on by the rider or driver of the horse.

Minnesota law requires all off-highway vehicles (OHVs), all-terrain vehicles (ATVs), off-highway motorcycles (OHMs), and snowmobiles to display a current registration sticker.

Safety TrainingSafety Certificates are required for:•ATVdrivers—AllresidentsbornafterJuly1,1987.•OHMdrivers—AllOHMdriversundertheageof16.•Snowmobiledrivers—Allresidentsbornafter

December 31, 1976. (Snowmobile indicators on a driver’s license or Minnesota ID card also qualify.)

•Non‑residents—Otherstatecertificationsarerecognizedin Minnesota.

Snowmobile Riding•SnowmobileTrailStickersarerequiredforallsnowmobiles

on snowmobile trails. (mndnr.gov/licenses/snowmobile/trailpermit.html)

Pitcher plant (Sarracenia purpurea)

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Canoeing the first segment of the Mississippi River State Water Trail.

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HikingHiking is allowed year-round. During hunting and trapping

seasons it is recommended that hikers and companion animals wear blaze orange and avoid wearing brown or white-colored clothing.

Horseback RidingHorseback riding is allowed on trails. A Minnesota Horse

Trail Pass is required for all horseback riders age 16 and older on all trails. (mndnr.gov/horseback_riding/horsepass)

Cross-Country SkiingCross-country skiing is allowed on trails. A Minnesota Ski

Pass is required for all cross-country skiers age 16 and older on all trails (mndnr.gov/licenses/skipass). The 4.0 km Fern Lake Trail provides excellent skiing opportunities.

Watch for this sign.

Watch for this sign.

FeaturesRognlien Beach Day-Use Area is located on the north shore

of Grant Lake in the northern part of the state forest. This area features picnic tables, a swimming beach, canoe access, and fishing opportunities.

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Documents

Canoeing Motorized Vehicle Use Features Do You …files.dnr.state.mn.us/maps/state_forests/sft00034.pdfnational origin, sex, marital status, public assistance status, age, sexual orientation,