Hovland Woods SNA

North Unit

 

 

     
 
About
 
 

Ownership

 
 

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Links

 
 

Hovland Woods SNA, South Unit

Minnesota DNR

 
     
 

Overview

 
 

 

 
     
 

History

 
 

On February 4, 1992, a site in Cook County about 291 acres in size was designated as Hovland Woods Scientific and Natural Area. It protected old growth hardwoods, the special concern species Carolina spring beauty, and the state threatened species large-leaved sandwort (Carolina spring beauty has since been delisted). The site was greatly expanded on December 16, 2013. An adjacent parcel of about 290 acres was added to the original site, and a separate but nearby parcel of about 742 acres became the North Unit of this SNA.

 
     
 

Management

 
 

 

 
     
 

Comments

 
 

 

 
     
 
Location
 
 

Maps

 
 

Detail map (MN DNR)

 
         
 

Printable Map(s) with GPS coordinates

 
 

Complete

  North Unit  
  Printable map   Printable map  
         
 

Size

 
 

About 742 acres

 
         
 

Parking

 
 

Boyd Rd
N47 56.147, W89 59.929

 
         
 

Driving Directions

  Area and County  
 

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          Cook County  
          Northeast Minnesota  
     
 
Activities
 
 

Hiking Trails

 
 

There are several roads and trails in the North Unit. The Hovland Woods Trail is a 16-mile ATV trail. It forms a loop that passes through both units of Hovland Woods SNA. It is open to ATVs from May 15 to November 30, to hikers year round.

North Unit: The Hovland Woods Trail follows Boyd Road, a light duty dirt road, from the north parking area 0.83 miles to the north boundary of the SNA; 2.26 miles to the southwest corner of the North Unit; then 0.83 miles to Tom Lake Road, the Superior Hiking Trail,and the South Unit of the SNA. A 0.63-mile spur off the main trail on Boyd Road leads east to Stevens Lake. A minimum maintenance road leads southwest from Boyd Road for 0.68 miles. It ends at a fork with two trails, one leading west into Grand Portage State Forest, the other leading north and back onto the SNA.

South Unit: From Tom Lake Road, another light duty dirt road, the Hovland Woods Trail leads northeast following the road 0.71 miles to the north boundary of the South Unit. The Superior Hiking Trail passes through the South Unit for a short distance. The Hazel Campground is adjacent to the south boundary.

 
     
 

Hunting

 
 

All hunting. See Hunting and Trapping Regulations (MN DNR) for details.

 
     
 
Ecology
 
 

Ecological Classification

  Ecological Classification  
  Ecological Province    

Laurentian Mixed Forest

   
  Ecological Section    

Northern Superior Uplands

   
  Ecological Subsection    

Border Lakes

North Shore Highlands

   
  Land Type Association    

Swamp River Till Plain

Tettegouche Till Plain

   
             
 

Native Plant Communities*

   
 

Alder - (Maple - Loosestrife) Swamp

Aspen - Birch Forest: Balsam Fir Subtype

Beaver Wetland Complex

Black Ash - Conifer Swamp (Northeastern)

Lowland White Cedar Forest (North Shore)

Northern Shrub Shore Fen

Paper Birch - Sugar Maple Forest (North Shore)

Sugar Maple Forest (North Shore)

White Cedar Swamp (Northeastern)

   
  * Source: The Minnesota Biological Survey, Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, Division of Ecological Resources      
         
 

Natural Features

     
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

           
 
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Hovland Woods SNA
minnesota_snas
  Hovland Woods SNA  
 
About

Hovland Woods SNA, a large forested natural area, contains mature and old-growth virgin forest communities now rare in the region. Beaver flowages, alder swamp, and a tributary of the Flute Reed River are also found on the property. Large old white spruce and white pine provide habitat for rare lichens and nesting eagles. Other species found on the site and in the general area include gray wolf and pine marten. Rare plants include the Carolina spring beauty and large-leaved sandwort.

 

 

slideshow

       
 
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MinnesotaSeasons.com Sightings
 
 

Visits

                 
 
 

Birds

 
 

Minnesota DNR Bird checklist

eBird Field Checklist

 
         
 

Plants

 
 

Two plant species with conservation status in Minnesota are found here:

Threatened

large-leaved sandwort (Moehringia macrophylla)

Special Concern

blunt-fruited sweet cicely (Osmorhiza depauperata)

 
 

Plants frequently found in:

Alder - (Maple - Loosestrife) Swamp FPn73a

Aspen - Birch Forest: Balsam Fir Subtype FDn43b1

Black Ash - Conifer Swamp (Northeastern) WFn64a

Lowland White Cedar Forest (North Shore) WFn53a

Northern Shrub Shore Fen OPn81

Paper Birch - Sugar Maple Forest (North Shore) MHn45a

Sugar Maple Forest (North Shore) MHn45c

White Cedar Swamp (Northeastern) FPn63a

     
         

 

 

Binoculars

 

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