Crow Wing State Park
Parks & Trails Council
Members of the Parks & Trails Council helped survey land on historic Crow Wing Island in 1993 as they worked with local people to preserve the property. From left to right: Chuck Diestler, Bill Buell, Sam Morgan, Ron Miles and Doug Birk.
In 1993, Crow Wing Island and an 80-acre peninsula at the confluence of the Crow Wing and Mississippi rivers in the heart of Crow Wing State Park were being subdivided and sold for residential development by a private landowner. Knowing the impending development would forever remove a significant historical, natural and cultural section of the park, Parks & Trails Council representatives moved swiftly to acquire the land so it could be forever preserved as part of the park. Today, thanks to the Parks & Trails Council's efforts, the land is still available to park visitors who can learn about the rich history of Crow Wing State Park and the fur posts and Ojibwe villages that once occupied Crow Wing Island.
Crow Wing State Park contains 2,871 acres of prairies, pine and hardwood forests and several wetlands. Located just south of Brainerd, the park is prominently positioned at the confluence of the Mississippi and Crow Wing rivers. This scenic, natural area provides excellent hiking trails, canoeing, fishing, camping and winter recreation in addition to diverse natural habitat for wildlife.