George Washington State Forest
History
Wildfires were common in the area from 1880 to 1930, when the area was logged and homesteaded. The last large fire occurred in 1933. The infrastructure of the forest was expanded largely during the Great Depression. Between 1933 and 1945 three Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) camps were located in the forest and were responsible for campground construction, road-building, and soil and water conservation projects. The popularity and breadth of outdoor recreation in the forest are attributed to the work done by the CCC.
Recreation
These outdoor recreational activities include hunting and picnicking. Surface water sports, such as boating, canoeing, kayaking, and fishing are popular on the numerous and prevalent small lakes and rivers. There are eight established campgrounds in the forest, including two horse campgrounds; additionally backcountry camping is an option. Trails include 60 miles (97 km) available for horseback riding, hiking, mountain biking, and Class I and II all-terrain vehicle use. Around 200 miles (320 km) are also designated in the wintertime for cross-country skiing and snowmobiling.
See also
- List of Minnesota state forests
- Scenic State Park
- Taconite State Trail
- McCarthy Beach State Park
- Chippewa National Forest
References
- ^ "George Washington State Forest". Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. 2010-09-10. Retrieved 2010-09-13.