Park
Lost 40 Scientific and Natural Area (SNA)
17 locals recommend
Tips from locals
Jared
December 13, 2020
Explore a piece of untouched and protected forest! Great for a short hike with breathtaking views and trees that are hundreds of years old.
Kathryn
January 21, 2019
Due to a survey mistake this area was never logged. See trees up to 400 years old on scenic hilly trails for hiking. An easy hike for young and old.
The DocHouse Suites
October 22, 2018
40 acres of trees that were missed by loggers.
Beth
June 20, 2017
Giant trees and about a one mile hike. Hilly in places.
Skip
June 21, 2022
Lost 40 owes its old-growth pine forest to a surveying error that occurred during the Public Land Survey in 1882. As the story goes, the pines were missed by loggers because surveyors mistakenly mapped the area as Coddington Lake (the lake is actually located half of a mile to the southeast). The site was re-surveyed and the error corrected in 1960. Shortly after, it was incorporated into Big Fork State Forest and its old trees have since endured. A 2009 study found the oldest individual trees within the SNA to be red pines 230-240 years old. The stand on adjoining land within Chippewa National Forest reportedly originated as early as 1745, and includes the "champion red pine" of Minnesota's Native Big Tree Registry, measured at 115" in circumference and 120' high An interpretive trail passes through the site. This site is in an Audubon Important Bird Area and Watchable Wildlife Viewing Area. This site is within the Chippewa National Forest.
Lost 40 owes its old-growth pine forest to a surveying error that occurred during the Public Land Survey in 1882. As the story goes, the pines were missed by loggers because surveyors mistakenly mapped the area as Coddington Lake (the lake is actually located half of a mile to the southeast). The si…
Location
Northome, MN