Koochiching State Forest spans across 567,985 acres and it’s one of Minnesota’s largest state forests. Notable features include the Myrtle Lake Peatland SNA, untouched peatlands, and access to Rainy Lake. Recreation opportunities abound, with trails for hiking, cross-country skiing, and snowmobiling.
Rules for this place
Camping away from a developed campground in a state forest is allowed under the DNR’s dispersed camping rules, which set how far from water, from a designated site and for how long. A snowmobile here needs current registration, and a sled registered outside Minnesota needs a state trail pass to use a state or grant-in-aid trail; the DNR’s snowmobile regulations carry the rest. In a state forest the DNR’s state forest rules apply: firearms unloaded and cased near campgrounds, picnic areas and parking lots, and forest roads open to off-highway vehicles unless they are posted closed.
Verified 2026-09-07. Rules change; check the official page before you go.
