Chengwatana State Forest — Attraction in Chengwatana Township

Mixed feelings about this one. Saw grass everywhere - YOU WILL NEED PANTS AND SOCKS. Biting gnats, saddle flys, and the Minnesota state bird (mosquito). Flys and gnats weren’t too bad but it’s been a drought this year. Also of course poison ivy that snuck up on us by the snake River. There is a shooting range so you may be treated to the sounds of gunfire in the distance at any time. Some folks camping along the river by us played horrible pop music loud enough for us to hear clearly from over 100 yards distance until after 10:30 pm. All that said we saw white tail deer, River muscles, signal crayfish, leopard frogs, toads, grass snakes, bald eagles, and unidentified owl. It’s a state forest so you get what you get. We had fun and it’s nice that it’s only 1.25 hours from...

The atrocious scum that kept hauling in appliances, couches, computers, freon containers from air conditioners, propane tanks, cardboard, old target stands, old car parts, tires, beer bottles, old ammo boxes, and stuffed animals, as well as entirely destroying the donated shooting benches, enclosed fiberglass signage, and nice enclosed concrete floored outhouses have finally ruined it for everyone. The road to the range is now closed to all highway vehicles from January to November each year because jerks couldn't just haul away their trash and stop themselves from shooting up nice things.

So its a great range, if you don't mind hauling in targets and guns from 3 miles down the road....

It's a bit off the beaten path

I went there to go shooting with a friend. The trek to that area is down a non descript dirt road for about 4 miles. Take a right at the fork ;) If you are not a careful driver you could easily drive into the swamp. Might be dangerous in the winter months so be careful. I'm not sure if there are camp sites or fishing spots but the range is free and fun, be...