Birch Lakes State Forest

Birch Lakes State Forest
Geography
Location	Stearns County, Minnesota, United States
Coordinates	45°27′20″N 94°27′40″W / 45.4556°N 94.4612°W / 45.4556; -94.4612
Area	710 acres (290 ha)
Administration
Established	1959
Governing body	Minnesota Department of Natural Resources,
Website	www.dnr.state.mn.us/state_forests/sft00007/index.html
Ecology
WWF Classification	Upper Midwest forest-savanna transition
EPA Classification	North Central Hardwood Forests/Western Corn Belt Plains

The Birch Lakes State Forest is a state forest located in Stearns County, Minnesota. One of the smallest Minnesota state forests, it is managed primarily for recreation by the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. Big Birch Lake, a 2,112 acres (855 ha) sand- and marl-bottomed lake, is accessible from the northeast corner of the forest.^[1] The forest is located in a transitory ecotone between the temperate deciduous forest to the northeast and the tallgrass prairie to the southwest, with the rolling terrain characteristic of the glacial activity in the area.

Outdoor recreation activities include boating, fishing, swimming in Big Birch Lake, as well as hunting, picnicking, and backcountry camping in the forest. Trails include 7 miles (11 km) of hiking, 7 miles (11 km) of mountain biking, and 4.1 miles (6.6 km) for snowmobiling.^[2]

The Birch lakes State Forest Campground is considered a primitive campground. An individual site is $14, which consists of a cleared area, fire ring, and tables. In addition, a vault toilet, garbage cans, and drinking water is available. The campground features 29 shaded campsites located near the Big Birch Lake.

• List of Minnesota state forests

• Birch Lakes State Forest - Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR)