Nearest Town: McGrath

The West White Pine Forest road provides access to Porcupine Lake, located about 3.8 miles from State Highway 65. The forest road winds through mixed pine forests, hardwoods and bogs. A portion of the road follows one of the old ditches of the early 1900’s. These ditches, dug to try to make the soggy Aitkin County soils into farmland, still are around providing homes to American Beaver and Wood Duck. Porcupine Lake is a small lake bordered with alders, cattails and mixed woodlands. There is a carry-in boat access to the lake and a shelter for picnics on the hillside overlooking the lake. The lake is home to American Beaver and Muskrat. Bald Eagle and Osprey fish here. Mallard and Canada Goose can be found at the lake, along with Hooded Merganser and Wood Duck.

The pine forests along the road are good spots to check for roosting Northern Saw-whet Owl, Barred Owl or Great Horned Owl. Blackburnian and Nashville Warbler call from the trees and Red-breasted Nuthatch live in the conifers located here. Other possible birds to look for include both crossbills, Gray Jay, Connecticut Warbler, Golden-winged Warbler and Northern Goshawk. The mix of habitats is good for a large number of birds, in summer and during migration.

Directions: From McGrath, approximately ten miles north on State Highway 65, or about four miles south of State Highway 27, on the west side of highway.

Contact Information: Minnesota DNR, McGrath Area Forestry Office, 16082 State Highway 65, McGrath, MN 56350, Phone: 320-592-3248.