Chippewa National Forest

Special Management Areas on the Chippewa

Unique areas on the Chippewa National Forest are managed with special care. The 20 unique areas listed on this flyer are interpreted for significant natural or historical resources.

HISTORIC SITES:

• CHIPPEWA NATIONAL FOREST SUPERVISOR'S OFFICE (Cass Lake): On the National Register of Historic Places, this incredible 3-story log building is the main headquarters for the Forest. Visitors are encouraged to explore the building and take in the Finnish log construction and beautiful ironwork.
• RABIDEAU CCC CAMP (Blackduck): Fifteen buildings remain at the former 1930's Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) site. This is one of the few CCC camps in the U.S. still standing. Summer tours take visitors inside the restored education building, bunkhouses and mess hall.
• CUT FOOT SIOUX RANGER STATION (Deer River): The oldest remaining ranger station in the Forest Service's Eastern Region. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Stop in at the Cut Foot Sioux Visitor Center for their summer tour schedule or pick up information for their self-guided tour of the site.
• FARLEY HILL LOOKOUT STATION (Deer River)
  This historic fire lookout is located on a glacial esker in the heart of the Cut Foot Sioux area. The 100-foot steel tower is not accessible for climbing. The tender's cabin was also located at this site. Trek in from Cut Foot Sioux Trail, which passes at the foot of the tower.
• MARCELL RANGER STATION (Marcell)
  A wonderful stop along the Highway 38 National Scenic Drive. Finnish-style log buildings at this Forest Service site were constructed in 1934 by the Civilian Conservation Corps. Stop at the main office for permission to tour this National Historic site.
• WILLOW RIVER BRIDGE LOGGING CAMP (Remer) The Red River Lumber Company purchased this land in 1935 and established a camp here. Remains of an earthen dam, sluiceway and foundation berms of four buildings are visible.
• J.W. GOBLE HOMESITE (Walker)
  Remnants of J.W. Goble's home, garage, barn and garden can be seen in this field along the Woodtick Trail, aptly named by Goble's sons as they grubbed the trail out from the old railroad grade. Access by driving the Woodtick Trail or hiking in from the North Country Trail.
  
  DIVERSE WETLANDS:

• GILFILLAN AREA & CEDAR RICE POND (Blackduck): Venture into the cedars and white spruce and discover the orchids of Gilfillan and Cedar Rice pond. Gillfillan is a part of a large white spruce provenance study, spruce seeds from around the country were planted here as part of a larger study. Both areas take you into sensitive wetland habitats---enjoy with care!
• PENNINGTON BOG (Blackduck): This incredible bog extends on to adjacent State Scientific Natural Area. Because of the very sensitive bog ecosystem, the State limits the number of people entering the site. Permission is required from the Regional DNR office in Bemidji, MN
• WEBSTER LAKE BOG (Blackduck): Campers willing to venture out among the carnivorous bog plants during the summer have a chance to view the linear-leaved sundew and learn more about this interesting wetland area. Interpretive signs along the half-mile boardwalk will help with identification.
• MILLER LAKE (Marcell): Visitors to this geologic area should view the lake at eye-level near the outwash gully to appreciate the work of floods and beavers that have torn down and restored this lake. Miller Lake is one of twenty-two lakes found within the Suomi Hills SemiPrimitive Non-motorized Area. This is an excellent hike for mushroom and berry gatherers!
• MISSISSIPPI RIVER CORRIDOR (Cass Lake-Deer River)
  This headwaters section of the mighty Mississippi River affords canoeists a chance to enjoy the river in it's natural condition, without encroaching development. This corridor along the nations largest watershed is eligible for nomination as a Wild and Scenic River.
• KNUTSON DAM (Cass Lake) Knutson Dam was established as a logging dam in the 1890's and rebuilt in 1928. Knutson Dam controls water levels of the Cass Lake chain and is one of eight dams on the Mississippi Headwaters. This was also the site of an older logging dam and fur trade post and is one of few dams managed by the Forest Service. Access via the Knutson Dam campground.
• NORTH FORK of WILLOW RIVER (Remer) An unroaded area of lowland black spruce/tamarack/white cedar swamp with numerous lakes and sedge meadow.
  
  TOWERING TREES:

• LOST FORTY (Blackduck): Old growth red and white pine tower above you along this one-mile self-guided interpretive trail. A mapping error showed the site as underwater when early loggers surveyed the area. Though remote, the hike through these beautiful trees is worth the drive.
• TEN SECTION AREA (Cass Lake): Old growth, large diameter red and white pine trees grace this area. Interest in this area by conservationists at the turn of the century initiated the formation of the Chippewa National Forest. Take the Migizi bike trail from the Norway Beach Recreation Area and travel around Pike Bay for a wonderful tour through Ten Section.
• SUCKER BAY (Cass Lake) Over 300-acres of 100-year old sugar maple and basswood forest. A very diverse site for wildlife and rare plants.
• ELMWOOD ISLAND (Blackduck): Pick a nice sunny day and take a boat out to Elmwood Island on Island Lake. The island is completely undeveloped and contains a stand of upland cedar and Canada yew.
• STONY POINT on LEECH LAKE (Walker)
  Campers to Stony Point area have long appreciated this old-growth hardwood site for it's excellent birding opportunities and spring wildflowers. A self-guiding trail from the campground leads you through the forest and past an older Anishinabe maple-sugaring camp. Stony Point is a traditional gathering place.
• EAST LAKE PINES (Marcell): Begin your hike along a
  ridge of 200-year old red pine, and follow the trail around some amazing glacial knob and kettle topography in this unusual area. Access by water from the Clubhouse Lake boat access or hike in from FR 3930.