What to See and Do

Come hear the stories of forestry and lumbering in the north woods!

Visitor center

Discover the history and ecology of the north woods and shop for unique gifts and souvenirs to take home.

Logging camp

See for yourself how the lumberjacks lived and worked.

Paddling Adventures

Join Forest History Center staff on a kayak adventure exploring the natural history of the Mississippi River.

Two horses pulling a sleigh in the wintertime.

Winter horse-drawn rides

Experience the magic of winter in Minnesota’s north woods with a cozy horse-drawn sleigh Ride around the Forest History Center.

River wanigan

Discover the moored river "wanigan," a floating cook shack and bunkhouse used by river drivers when moving logs down river to the mills. Access weather permitting.

Fire tower

Keep watch over the forest by climbing the state's only 100-foot fire tower. Learn how rangers spotted fires and communicated where they were burning. Tower open June–October. Tower closed November–May for safety reasons.

Trails

Explore 5 miles of trails plus events and learning programs. See forest management techniques put into practice with learning stations along a half-mile of renovated trails.

Field trips

Students can discover the past, present, and future of Minnesota’s forests at a 1900 logging camp and through action-packed environmental learning programs.