Explore A Little-Known Arboretum In This Small Minnesota Northwoods Town
By Trent Jonas|Published August 26, 2023
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Trent Jonas
Author
Trent Jonas came to Minnesota to attend college - and never left. He's a Twin Cities-based writer with a BA in English and a MFA in creative writing, a Minnesota Master Naturalist, and the proud father of two adult children. With more than a decade of freelance writing experience under his belt, Trent is often out exploring his favorite topics: Minnesota's woods, lakes, and trails. Rhubarb pie is his weakness, so discovering new diners is also a passion.
On the outskirts of Grand Rapids, a classic North Woods town on the edge of the Chippewa National Forest, you’ll find the Forest History Center. This fascinating educational center and arboretum in Minnesota teaches visitors about the history of forestry in the Land of 10,000 Lakes, as well as glimpses into its future. Perhaps best of all, it offers acres and acres of natural and cultivated forest, laced with trails, so you can explore.
The Forest History Center is operated by the Minnesota Historical Society.
It’s not all natural forest, though. Several acres area planted with genetically-improved trees. You can explore these along the three-mile Forest of Today Trail.
Another thing that makes this area particularly fascinating is that it lies at the intersection of three major biomes - prairie, hardwood-deciduous, and boreal-coniferous.
So, when you visit, you’ll see a mixed forest of bottomlands hardwoods and pine species.
More than just forest and arboretum, though, the Forest History Center is also an educational facility where you can learn about the the importance of forestry in Minnesota.
There’s no better way to get an overview of the Forest History Center than by climbing its fire tower and enjoying sweeping views over the treetops to the river.
I try to stop into the Forest History Center for a hike and to see what’s happening. Apart from the history center, there’s much to explore in the Grand Rapids area. I highly recommend you book a room and spend a long weekend exploring the town and the Chippewa National Forest.
Have you visited the Forest History Center? Let us know in the comments!
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