Directions: From Hill City, at the junction of US Highway 169 and State Highway 200, go east one mile on State Highway 200 to parking area. East trail access is from the Jacobson Campground located 1.5 miles west of Jacobson to County Road 10, north one mile to campground access road.

Contact Information: Aitkin County Land Department, 209 – 2nd Street NW, Aitkin, MN 56431, Phone: 218-927-7364, E-mail: acld@co.aitkin.mn.us.

At approximately 17,000 acres, the Moose-Willow Wildlife Management Area is the largest WMA in Aitkin County. The WMA actually begins about 1.5 miles from US Highway 169. This is a large WMA with expansive marsh, Tamarack and low grassy areas. Pockets of cedar and islands of aspen and northern hardwoods are scattered throughout the unit. There are two wetland impoundments with excellent stands of Wild Rice present on them. The area includes three rivers: the Moose River, the Willow River and the Hill River. The area can be quite a wonderful place during migration.

The road leading into this area follows the narrow Hill River with deciduous woods on the side of the river opposite the road and marshes south of the road. Look for Belted Kingfisher, Great Blue Heron, Wilson’s Snipe, Hooded Merganser, Wood Duck, Hermit Thrush, Veery, Gray Catbird, Nashville Warbler, Yellow Warbler, American Redstart, Chestnut-sided Warbler, Mourning Warbler, Alder Flycatcher, Ovenbird, Red-eyed Vireo, Great Crested Flycatcher and Sedge Wren.