Canoeing event set for Crow River and Huntersville State Forest

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Canoeing event set for Crow River and Huntersville State Forest
(Released June 16, 2011)

Celebrate the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Forestry Division’s 100th anniversary by canoeing the Crow River to Huntersville Forest Landing Campground on Saturday, June 18.

Huntersville State Forest, which is only a short distance from Itasca State Park, offers a more rustic experience than the popular state park,” said Lonnie Lilly, DNR forester.

People can enjoy fishing, swimming and making S’mores at the campground starting at 1:30 p.m.  Participants also can learn about fishing, take a plant identification walk with an expert and meet Smokey Bear. 

People renting a canoe, should meet at Huntersville Forest Landing Campground by 1:30 p.m. Make canoe rental arrangements by contacting either Huntersville Canoe Outfitters, 218-564-4279 or 800-279-6588, or Gloege’s Northern Sun Canoe Outfitting, 218-472-3250. Participants should let them know they are part of the 100th anniversary celebration.

For people with their own canoe, the event will start at 2 p.m. near the bridge located at the intersection of County Road 18 and County Road 25 in Huntersville.

The canoe ride will end at approximately 4 p.m. at the Huntersville Forest Landing Campground. 

After the canoe ride, participants may want to camp that at Huntersville Forest Landing Campground. Campsites are available on a first-come, first-served basis. 

The Minnesota Forest Service, precursor to the DNR Division of Forestry, was established by the 1911 Legislature as a result of the 1910 Baudette-Spooner Fire that destroyed both towns and killed at least 42 people. Today the Division of Forestry is dedicated to protecting, managing and educating the public about one of the state’s most treasured resources, Minnesota’s forests.

For more information about the event, call the DNR Forestry Nimrod Field Station at 218-472-3262.

DNR Division of Forestry history information is available at www.mndnr.gov/forestry/anniversary/index.html.

Huntersville Forest Landing Campground information is available at www.dnr.state.mn.us/state_forests/facilities/cmp00028/index.html.

Huntersville State Forest information is available at www.dnr.state.mn.us/state_forests/sft00025/index.html.

Huntersville Canoe Outfitters information is available at www.huntersvillecanoeoutfitters.com/.