Pillsbury State Forest park
Pillsbury State Forest
One of the main attractions of Pillsbury State Forest is Lake Hiram, a popular spot for fishing and boating. The lake is stocked with walleye, northern pike, and bass, and there are several boat ramps and fishing piers throughout the area. Another point of interest is the Pillsbury Tower, a historic fire tower that offers stunning views of the surrounding forest.
Visitors to Pillsbury State Forest can also enjoy hiking on one of the many trails in the area, including the Pine Lake Loop Trail and the Spider Lake Trail. The forest is also home to several primitive campsites and picnic areas, making it a great place for a day trip or overnight camping trip.
Interesting facts about Pillsbury State Forest include that it was established in 1924 and was named after businessman and philanthropist Charles A. Pillsbury. The forest is managed by the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources and is part of the larger Chippewa National Forest.
The best time of year to visit Pillsbury State Forest depends on the activity you have planned. Summer is a popular time for camping, fishing, and boating, while fall is a great time for hiking and hunting. Winter brings opportunities for cross-country skiing and snowshoeing.
Park & land designation reference
A quick legend for the federal and state land categories Snoflo tracks. Each designation comes with different rules around access, recreation, and resource extraction.
- National Park
- Large protected natural areas managed by the federal government to preserve significant landscapes, ecosystems, and cultural resources; recreation is allowed but conservation is the priority.
- State Park
- Public natural or recreational areas managed by a state government, typically smaller than national parks and focused on regional natural features, recreation, and education.
- Local Park
- Community-level parks managed by cities or counties, emphasizing recreation, playgrounds, sports, and green space close to populated areas.
- Wilderness Area
- The highest level of land protection in the U.S.; designated areas where nature is left essentially untouched, with no roads, structures, or motorized motorized access permitted.
- National Recreation Area
- Areas set aside primarily for outdoor recreation (boating, hiking, fishing, often around reservoirs, rivers, or scenic landscapes); may allow more development.
- National Conservation Area (BLM)
- BLM-managed areas with special ecological, cultural, or scientific value; more protection than typical BLM land but less strict than Wilderness Areas.
- State Forest
- State-managed forests focused on habitat, watershed, recreation, and sustainable timber harvest.
- Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Land
- Vast federal lands managed for mixed use -- recreation, grazing, mining, conservation -- with fewer restrictions than national parks or forests.
Plan your visit down to the hour
Same weather feed Snoflo's iOS app uses -- updated continuously from NOAA / yr.no.
Next 5 days, hour by hour
Temperature line with weather symbols on top, snow + rain accumulation as columns, humidity as a dotted line.
5-day forecast table
Every 3 hours, broken out across temperature, snow, rain, humidity, and wind.
| Time | Condition | Temp (°F) | Snow (in) | Rain (in) | Humidity (%) | Wind (mps) | Wind dir |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Loading detailed forecast… | |||||||
15-day temperature & precipitation
Daily temperatures, snow, and rain projected over the next two weeks.
Area campgrounds
Snoflo-tracked campgrounds within reach of Pillsbury State Forest, with reservations status.
| Campground | Reservations | Toilets | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pillsbury State Forest- Walter Stark Horse Camp | ✗ | ✓ | → |
| Gulf Lake- Cor Of Engineers Campground | ✓ | ✗ | → |
| Rock Lake Campground | ✗ | ✗ | → |
| Crow Wing State Park Campground | ✓ | ✓ | → |
| Crow Wing State Park | ✓ | ✗ | → |
| Lum City Park | ✗ | ✗ | → |
Plan a longer trip
The closest parks, lakes, fishing spots, and POIs so a park visit can grow into a full weekend.
Responsible recreation & Leave No Trace
- Know before you go
- Check the operator's site for hours, permit requirements, seasonal closures, and fire restrictions before heading out.
- Stay on trail
- Stick to marked paths to protect vegetation, prevent erosion, and avoid disturbing wildlife habitat.
- Respect wildlife
- Observe from a distance, never feed wildlife, and store food securely if camping is permitted on-site.
- Pack it in, pack it out
- Carry out all trash, food scraps, and gear. Many parks have limited or no trash service.
- Leave what you find
- Don't take rocks, plants, or artifacts. They make the park what it is for the next visitor.
Set push alerts in the Snoflo app
Save Pillsbury State Forest as a favorite, set a custom threshold (precipitation, freezing temperatures, fire-restriction days), and the iOS app will push the moment conditions cross.
About Pillsbury State Forest
What can I do at Pillsbury State Forest?
Most Snoflo-tracked parks support hiking, picnicking, and wildlife viewing. Check the operator's site for activity-specific rules (camping, fishing, paddling, hunting).
How fresh is the weather data?
The hourly forecast updates throughout the day from NOAA / yr.no. Streamflow comes live from USGS streamgauges.
When is the best time to visit?
Use the 15-day temperature & precipitation outlook on this page to plan -- pick a window with comfortable temperatures and low precipitation.
How do I get to Pillsbury State Forest?
Tap Directions in the hero above to open driving directions in Google Maps, or Open in map to center the Snoflo interactive map on the park.
Can I get alerts when conditions change?
Yes -- alerts are managed in the Snoflo iOS app. Favorite this park, set a threshold (temperature, precipitation), and you'll get a push the moment it crosses.
Other parks near here
Snoflo-tracked parks within driving distance of Pillsbury State Forest.