The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources invites citizens to learn about proposed recreation opportunities in Centennial State Forest, a 3,394-acre state forest in Cass County donated to the DNR in 2013. 

The meeting will be from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. on Monday, June 26, in the Walker Community Center Rotary Room, 105 Tower Ave., Walker. Following a presentation at 6 p.m., there will be time for questions and answers, map review and comments.

Minnesota state forests are classified into three groupings for off-highway vehicle (OHV) and motor vehicle use:

• In “managed” forests you may ride on all state forest roads, signed trails and non-designated routes that are not posted closed. 
• In “limited” forests you may ride on all forest roads and trailed signed for specific motor vehicle use.
• “Closed” forests are open only to highway-licensed vehicles on forest roads.

As part of the overall planning process, the DNR is proposing to classify Centennial State Forest as “limited.” The DNR is also proposing to designate approximately 11 miles of forest roads, to allow OHV and motor vehicle use on those roads.

Comments received at the meeting will be used to develop a final recommendation that will be submitted to the DNR commissioner for approval. 

Written comments may be submitted by fax to 651-297-1157, by email to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., or by mail to Joe Unger, Parks and Trails Division, Minnesota DNR, 500 Lafayette Road, St. Paul, MN 55155-4039. The DNR will accept written comments through Wednesday, July 26.

For more information call:

• Tim Williamson, OHV acquisition and development specialist, Parks and Trails Division, 218-308-2369.
• Joel Lemberg, Backus Area forest supervisor, Forestry Division, 218-947-3232, ext. 223.

For more information, visit the Centennial State Forest webpage.