On March 1, 1911, President William Howard Taft changed the landscape of the nation -- and Minnesota. That's the day he signed the Weeks Act, which allowed the government to purchase private property for national forests, one-upping previous laws that relied on land in the public domain. Never mind that the original bill was meant for eastern forests, which were being cut down at a rapid rate. Like the nation, the impact of the law crawled westward. Both Chippewa and Superior National Forests in northern Minnesota expanded after passage of the Weeks Act.
Today, there are 155 national forests. Minnesota's two are cause for celebration -- and perfect places to honor the centennial.
Chippewa National Forest Groundwork: Established in 1908, the forest has 1.6 million acres in north central Minnesota.
Your visit: Bring a boat or canoe because almost half of the forest is made up of lakes and wetlands. Bring binoculars, too. One of the largest breeding populations of bald eagles in the lower 48 states lives there. Check out the so-called Lost Forty (actually 144 acres), an old growth swath saved from logging when early surveys marked the land as part of a lake. Take a self-guided walk through Camp Rabideau, one of the last standing camps built by the Civilian Conservation Corps and now undergoing renovation.
Info: 1-218-335-8600.
Superior National Forest Groundwork: Established in 1909, the forest contains 3.9 million acres in the Arrowhead.
Your visit: Paddle through the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness, which occupies a quarter of the forest. Hike along more than 400 miles of trails. Many routes pass waterfalls and overlook Lake Superior. Drive through the forest on three scenic byways. Listen for the howling of the 300 to 400 gray wolves that roam the forest; the stealth animals are easier to hear than see.
Info: 1-218-626-4300.
