One afternoon. Woods across Minnesota. A walk near you.

Explore the map and walk listings below to find a Great Minnesota Woods Walk near you. Each location offers a different opportunity to experience Minnesota’s forests and learn from the people who know them best.

All walks are free. Routes, conditions, parking, and registration requirements vary by location.

Explore the Walk Map

Select a marker to see the walk title, location, and basic event information. Complete details for every walk will appear beneath the map.

Walk Details

Review the information for each location before choosing your walk. Details will include the meeting location, route distance and conditions, parking, and any registration instructions.

  • Visitors will see the topography that showcases the Blufflands region of southeastern Minnesota. We will look at a variety of habitats, including wetlands, a trout stream, bluff prairie, and hardwood direct seeding. We will discuss management activities that have been completed or are planned, such as timber harvesting, prescribed burning, and forest stand improvement. Visitors will also see how this property connects to the larger landscape and supports wildlife, water quality, and carbon sequestration.

    This visit can be tailored to the interests of the group and may include plant identification, a focus on wildlife, land protection and restoration, services available to private landowners, or simply a walk down and up the hills of southeastern Minnesota.

    Route: More than 1½ miles and up to 2 miles, including hills or slopes and uneven ground, roots, or rocks
    Location: Near Plainview and Kellogg at 15863 E. County Road 14, Kellogg
    Parking: Available at the meeting location
    Restrooms: Not available
    What to bring: Sturdy footwear, weather-appropriate clothing, water, and tick protection are recommended
    Registration: Advance registration and participant contact information are required
    Participation instructions: Contact Jennifer Wahls at wahlshouse3@gmail.com or (218) 310-9058

  • Enjoy a walk through Veterans Memorial Park and Dog Park in Grand Rapids.

    Route: 1/2 mile or less and mostly level
    Parking: Available at the meeting location
    Restrooms: Public restrooms are available
    Pets: Permitted
    Meeting location: Exact meeting point coming soon

  • See a forest 30 years after a clearcut and learn how it continues to change. The walk will include newly created openings, aspen regrowth, a cut in an ash swamp, and a look at biochar created three days earlier.

    Route: 1/2 mile or less and mostly level
    Parking: Available at the meeting location
    Registration: Advance registration is required. Contact Kevin Flowers at olelakemn@gmail.com or (218) 398-3029.
    Meeting location: Exact meeting point coming soon

  • A short walk along an easy trail to present Forest Therapy Information. Note: limited parking for not more than 10 cars due to another onsite event that day; therefore, preregistration is needed.

    Route: ½ mile or less, mostly level
    Location: Green Island Preserve in Wadena, MN at 850 Scheer Drive NE
    Parking: Parking available at the meeting location
    Visitor information: Pets are permitted
    Registration: Advance registration will be required
    Participation instructions: Contact Kent Scheer at kentscheer@outlook.com or (218) 631-3084

  • The 80-acre school forest has a pavilion, port-a-potty, 1 paved trail, several unpaved trails, white cedar forest, oak savanna restoration area, prairie restoration area, & scenic overlook. We will explore restoration work currently in progress and identify trees and plants. Restoration work is being funded by the Board of Soil and Water Resources and the South Washington County Watershed District. See https://www.newportmn.gov/residents/parks/bailey_school_forest_park_updates/index.php

    Route: More than ½ mile to 1 mile
    Location: Parking lot located at 1751 Wild Ridge trail, Newport, MN 55055
    Route Conditions: Includes hills or slopes, Includes uneven ground, roots, or rocks
    Parking: Parking available at the meeting location
    Visitor Information: Public restroom available at the location, Pets are permitted

  • Explore what is possible on a two-acre woodland property in a busy residential and commercial area. Professional forester Stan Grossman of Itasca Woodland Services will discuss the woods he inherited, the work he has done to care for them, wildlife use, and buckthorn control.

    Route: Narrow woodland trail with moderate terrain variations
    Parking: Available on site
    Restrooms: Not available
    Pets: Not permitted
    Arrival: Approaching the property from the north on Highway 169 is strongly recommended. The driveway passes through the property to a back street, so visitors will not need to turn around to exit.
    What to bring: Tick prevention spray or other protective equipment
    Attendance: Limited to 10 participants per one-hour time slot
    Participation instructions: Bring an open and curious mind! There are multiple parking spaces available on our driveway, but please try to park as close to the center of the property as you are able to (the Morton building is near the center), and for safety and convenience reasons please avoid blocking "through" traffic on our driveway. We may walk on a side street as well, so be cautious and aware of residential traffic during the walk. For the safety and enjoyment of all visitors, pets are NOT allowed even if they are left in your personal vehicle - no exceptions. Deer ticks are a possibility so bring personal protection!