MN Scientific and Natural Areas (SNA) protect the last remaining habitat for Minnesota’s rarest plants and animals. Recreation is limited to protect this habitat and natural diversity.
This SNA is 1280 acres. Key areas include a 232-acre sugar maple forest, a 180-acre upland white cedar forest, a 44-acre white cedar swamp and a 43-acre lowland white cedar forest. These hardwood forests are able to persist near Lake Superior’s north shore in part because of the lake-moderated climate with cooler summers, milder winters and higher humidity.
The western tract hosts more old-growth and generally more mature forest of all types than the eastern. This is due in large part to their differing fire history: most notably, a 1936 fire that burned 10,000 acres in the central part of the Grand Portage State Forest.
The Superior Hiking Trail passes through site, which is within Grand Portage State Forest. Hike, bird and wildlife watch, snowshoe, and cross-country ski.
