{"timestamp":1794398156,"result":{"id":"sft00039","forest_id":79,"activities":{"mountain_biking":1,"cross_country_ski_miles":3,"orv":0,"snowmobiling":0,"swimming":1,"fishing":1,"ohm":0,"cross_country_ski":1,"snowshoeing":1,"orv_miles":0,"hiking":1,"hwt_miles":0,"atv_class_1_miles":0,"atv_class_1":0,"mountain_biking_miles":27,"atv_class_2":0,"snowmobiling_miles":0,"ohm_miles":0,"hiking_miles":1.2,"horseback_miles":27,"canoe_kayak":1,"hunting":1,"picnic_area":0,"hwt":0,"boat_ramp":1,"horseback":1,"boating":0,"dog_sledding_miles":0,"dog_sledding":0,"atv_class_2_miles":0,"fishing_pier":0,"picnic_shelter":0,"camping_dispersed":0,"campground":1},"alert":{"ohv_trails":[],"forest_roads":[],"general":null},"narratives":{"management":["Timber harvesting, reforestation, wildlife habitat improvement, and recreational development occur in the forest. Deer-browse protection is underway to help young white pine, a favorite food of the whitetail, become established. The DNR protects the forest and surrounding areas from wildfires. "," ","A working forest: From year to year, you may see changes in these forests. The DNR manages the trees, water, and wildlife in state forests to keep them healthy and meet recreational, environmental, and economic goals. Trees are harvested to make a variety of products, such as lumber and building materials, pulp for making paper, pallets, fencing, and utility poles. Through careful planning, harvesting, and planting, land managers work to improve wildlife habitat. The DNR manages state forests for everyone, while preventing wildfires and ensuring forests continue to keep air and water clean. "," Trees: Northern hardwoods are widespread including red oak, aspen, paper birch, and maple. Red and white pine are scattered throughout. The DNR continues to manage the forest to ensure healthy regrowth after a blowdown damaged the area in 2015. "," ","Wildlife: Many different species of wildlife can be found in this forest, including white-tailed deer, black bear, ruffed grouse, beaver, muskrat, fisher, red and gray fox, bobcat, turkey, snowshoe hare, otter, and mink. Lakes and small ponds draw in waterfowl such as wood ducks, along with trumpeter swan and bald eagle."],"history":["Pillsbury State Forest became Minnesota's first state forest in 1935. However, its foundation was set in place millennia before that date, beginning with the Wisconsin glaciation between 16,000 and 20,000 years ago. When the glaciers began receding 12,000 years ago, they left behind the sediment and till that make up the landscape's rough, steep topography known as the St. Croix terminal moraine. Large chunks of glacial ice melted in place creating many of the large lakes in the area. After the glaciers, Dakota and Ojibwe peoples arrived, establishing communities where they hunted, fished, tapped maple sap, and harvested wild rice. European fur traders entered the area in the early 1700s, with the Northwest Company dominating during the late 1700s and early 1800s and the American Fur Company after 1817. Loggers removed the virgin forests in the late 1800s. In 1900, Governor John. S. Pillsbury donated 1,000 acres of cutover pine lands as Minnesota's first forest reserve. Over the years, the Minnesota Legislature enlarged the original forest reserve to its present size. Later, Minnesota's first forest tree nursery was developed in the state forest in 1903. We can still see some of the descendants of that long-gone enterprise along County Highway 15. The Minnesota Forest Service erected the region's first fire lookout tower in 1911. Fire spotters abandoned the wooden structure when steel towers became available in 1937."],"landscape":["Pillsbury State Forest is located on hilly, rocky land in central Minnesota. With many large, clean lakes, it is a popular destination for camping, fishing, swimming, cross-country skiing, and especially horseback riding."],"introduction":["The trails at Pillsbury State Forest meander through a heavily forested area consisting of a variety of deciduous and coniferous trees. The woods are dotted with small lakes and ponds where you're likely to see evidence of beavers and other wildlife. You may also find several varieties of wildflowers, including the yellow lady's slipper. "," The trail system in this state forest is especially popular with equestrians and mountain bikers during the summer and cross-country skiers in the winter. Land ownership within this forest includes state, county, municipal, and private holdings. Trespass laws are enforced. Please be aware of and respect these lands. ","Grouse hunters find good bird hunting in the fall. The forest is closed to off-highway vehicles, so bird hunters are assured they will not be disturbed by ATV traffic while walking the old logging roads. ","Recreational facilities in the forest include the Walter E. Stark Horse Assembly Area, and Shafer Lake. Rock Lake Campground and Day-Use Area can serve as a great alternative to the more developed and heavily used Crow Wing State Park."]},"events":null,"bbox":{"epsg:4326":[-94.498356,46.368199,-94.369616,46.471745]},"name":"Pillsbury State Forest","notes":[],"counties":["Cass"],"facilities":[{"camping":{"drive_in_campsites":44,"campsites":4,"fee":1,"accessible_campsites":4},"manager":{"url":"https://www.dnr.state.mn.us/state_parks/crow_wing/index.html","name":"Crow Wing State Park","phone":"218-825-3075"},"lat":46.430004,"recreation_and_trails":{"picnic_tables":6,"lake_access":1},"water_and_sanitation":{"accessible_wells":1,"wells":1,"accessible_toilets":2,"toilets":2,"drinking_water":1},"id":"cmp00038","name":"Rock Lake Campground and Day-Use Area","lon":-94.481234,"description":["The rustic campground adjacent to Rock Lake is considered \"primitive,\" designed to furnish only the camper's basic needs. The campsites consist of a cleared area, fire ring, and table. Vault toilets, garbage cans, and drinking water are available. ","Highlights: The campground has 44 sites, of which 15 are lakeside sites. One-third of the sites will fit a 30-foot RV. There are also swimming and water access, fishing, and nature trails. ","Rock Lake Day-Use Area is adjacent to the campground and provides six picnic sites, a swimming beach, and water access to Rock Lake.
","Campground and boat landing closed September/October 2026
All recreational access to Rock Lake Campground will be closed as of September 8, 2026 for approximately six weeks. The last night of camping is September 7. Access to the beach and boat launch will also be closed as of September 8. Road construction and culvert replacement is expected to be completed by late October, at which time the boat launch will reopen. For the most recent information once the project is underway, please check the Crow Wing State Park alerts.
"]},{"name":"Shafer Lake Day-Use Area","id":"cmp00072","water_and_sanitation":null,"lon":-94.422751,"description":["The Shafer Lake Day-Use Area is adjacent to the public canoe landing. This day-use area is open from 6:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. for picnicking, horseback riding, swimming, and canoeing. ","Highlights: Connected to this day-use are 27 miles of horseback riding shared with Walter E. Stark Assembly Area and Horse Campground."],"camping":null,"manager":{"name":"Crow Wing State Park","phone":"218-825-3075","url":"https://www.dnr.state.mn.us/state_parks/crow_wing/index.html"},"lat":46.437901,"recreation_and_trails":{"picnic_tables":2,"carry_in_access":1}},{"manager":{"name":"Crow Wing State Park","phone":"218-825-3075","url":"https://www.dnr.state.mn.us/state_parks/crow_wing/index.html"},"camping":{"campsites":25,"fee":1},"recreation_and_trails":null,"lat":46.37705,"id":"cmp00051","name":"Walter E. Stark Assembly Area and Horse Campground","water_and_sanitation":{"drinking_water":1,"toilets":4},"description":["The campground is along Pillsbury Forest Road. The campsites are considered \"primitive,\" designed to furnish only the basic needs of the camper. The campsites consist of a cleared area, fire ring, and table. Vault toilets, garbage cans, and drinking water are available. Also available are permanent \"picket lines\" and manure bunkers. ","Highlights: The day use area provides access to 27 miles of trails and a parking area for horse trailers."],"lon":-94.452459}],"maps":[{"type":"pdf","for":"sft00039","url":"https://files.dnr.state.mn.us/maps/state_forests/sft00039.pdf","title":"state forest map and guide"},{"type":"geopdf","for":"sft00039","url":"https://files.dnr.state.mn.us/maps/state_forests/sft00039_geo.pdf","title":"state forest map"},{"title":"Rock Lake Campground and Day-Use Area facility map","url":"https://files.dnr.state.mn.us/maps/state_forests/cmp00038.pdf","for":"cmp00038","type":"pdf"},{"type":"pdf","for":"cmp00051","url":"https://files.dnr.state.mn.us/maps/state_forests/cmp00051.pdf","title":"Walter E. Stark Assembly Area and Horse Campground facility map"}],"established":1900,"nearby_destinations":[{"name":"Meadow Brook WMA ","url":"/wmas/detail_report.html?id=WMA0119800","type":"wma"},{"type":"state_park","name":"Crow Wing State Park","url":"/state_parks/crow_wing/index.html"},{"type":"state_trail","url":"/state_trails/paul_bunyan/index.html","name":"Paul Bunyan State Trail"}],"area":25612,"last_updated":"2026-06-09 13:55:34.231336-05"},"status":"SUCCESS","message":"Normal execution."}