Home › Minnesota › Public land › Lyons State Forest
State forest in Wadena County
Lyons State Forest hunting, 2026-27
Seasons, access rules and the nearest towns for this state forest in Wadena County.
Photo: Tony Webster (CC BY-SA 2.0)
Getting to Lyons State Forest
Parking, trailheads and gates near Lyons State Forest
- Parking areaParking · 3.8 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 4.1 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 4.5 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 5.4 mi from the centreDirections
Parking, trailhead and gate locations come from OpenStreetMap contributors. Roads into public land can be gated or seasonal; check with the managing agency before you go.
What the file says about Lyons State Forest
Lyons State Forest adds 6,349 acres of public ground to Wadena County. Line up the 2 state forests in Wadena County by acres and Lyons State Forest comes 2nd. Its deer permit area is 246; the 2026 designation there is either-sex.
Minnesota Department of Natural Resources manages it. Statutory acres: 14,789; DNR-administered acres: 6,349. The legislature set it up in 1963.
From the agency record (Minnesota Department of Natural Resources); checked October 28, 2026.
Nearby
Places to hunt and shoot around Lyons State Forest
Lyons State Forest access rules
The rows below restate the access rules on the agency record for Lyons State Forest.
| Activity | Status |
|---|---|
| Hunting, trapping | Open in season |
| Game refuges inside | Closed unless listed |
| Near campgrounds, lots | Cased within 200 ft |
| Stands | Portable preferred |
| Shooting lanes | No cutting |
| Private inholdings | Permission needed |
| Target shooting | Unless posted closed |
| Forest roads | OHVs unless posted |
Sources: record; booklet: 2026-2027 Minnesota Hunting and Trapping Regulations. Checked October 28, 2026.
Lyons State Forest and deer permit area 246
The 2026 designation for DPA 246 is either-sex; firearms dates follow the 200-series window. In DPA 246 the license is good for a buck or an antlerless deer.
| Hunt | First day | Last day | Now |
|---|---|---|---|
| Archery | Sep 19, 2026 | Dec 31, 2026 | |
| Youth deer | Oct 15, 2026 | Oct 18, 2026 | |
| Firearms, 200 series | Nov 7, 2026 | Nov 15, 2026 | |
| Muzzleloader | Nov 28, 2026 | Dec 13, 2026 |
CWD sampling in DPA 246 is voluntary. The DPA covers 802 square miles. DPA 246 counties: Cass, Wadena, Hubbard and Todd.
From the DNR 2026 deer season map and the 2026-2027 regulations booklet; checked October 28, 2026.
Seasons open on Lyons State Forest
Dated seasons that apply on Lyons State Forest (48 rows), with today's status in the last column.
| Quarry | Season | Where | Opening | Closing | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Deer | Archery | DPA 246 | Sep 19, 2026 | Dec 31, 2026 | |
| Deer | Youth deer | DPA 246 | Oct 15, 2026 | Oct 18, 2026 | |
| Deer | Firearms, 200 series | DPA 246 | Nov 7, 2026 | Nov 15, 2026 | |
| Deer | Muzzleloader | Statewide | Nov 28, 2026 | Dec 13, 2026 | |
| Black bear | No-quota area | No Quota Area | Sep 1, 2026 | Oct 18, 2026 | |
| Black bear | Quota areas | Quota areas 45, 46 | Sep 1, 2026 | Oct 18, 2026 | |
| Wild turkey | Fall | Statewide | Oct 3, 2026 | Nov 1, 2026 | |
| Wild turkey | Spring archery-only | Statewide | Apr 14, 2027 | May 31, 2027 | |
| Wild turkey | Spring period A | Statewide | Apr 14, 2027 | Apr 20, 2027 | |
| Wild turkey | Spring youth | Statewide | Apr 14, 2027 | May 31, 2027 | |
| Wild turkey | Spring period B | Statewide | Apr 21, 2027 | Apr 27, 2027 | |
| Wild turkey | Spring period C | Statewide | Apr 28, 2027 | May 4, 2027 | |
| Wild turkey | Spring period D | Statewide | May 5, 2027 | May 11, 2027 | |
| Wild turkey | Spring period E | Statewide | May 12, 2027 | May 18, 2027 | |
| Wild turkey | Spring period F | Statewide | May 19, 2027 | May 31, 2027 | |
| Pheasant | Regular | Statewide | Oct 10, 2026 | Jan 3, 2027 | |
| Ruffed, spruce grouse | Regular | Statewide | Sep 19, 2026 | Jan 3, 2027 | |
| Hungarian partridge | Regular | Statewide | Sep 19, 2026 | Jan 3, 2027 | |
| Woodcock | Regular | Statewide | Sep 19, 2026 | Nov 2, 2026 | |
| Mourning dove | Regular | Statewide | Sep 1, 2026 | Nov 29, 2026 | |
| Rabbits, hares | Regular | Statewide | Sep 19, 2026 | Feb 28, 2027 | |
| Jackrabbit | Regular | Statewide | Sep 19, 2026 | Feb 28, 2027 | |
| Squirrels | Regular | Statewide | Sep 19, 2026 | Feb 28, 2027 | |
| Crow | Crow segment | Statewide | Sep 1, 2026 | Oct 31, 2026 | |
| Rails | Regular | Statewide | Sep 1, 2026 | Nov 9, 2026 | |
| Snipe | Regular | Statewide | Sep 1, 2026 | Dec 16, 2026 | |
| Canada goose | Early geese | Statewide | Sep 5, 2026 | Sep 20, 2026 | |
| Light geese | Early geese | Statewide | Sep 5, 2026 | Sep 20, 2026 | |
| Teal | Early teal season | Statewide | Sep 5, 2026 | Sep 9, 2026 | |
| Youth waterfowl | Youth days | Statewide | Sep 12, 2026 | Sep 13, 2026 | |
| Ducks | Regular ducks | North Zone | Sep 26, 2026 | Nov 24, 2026 | |
| Ducks | Regular ducks | Central Zone | Sep 26, 2026 | Oct 4, 2026 | |
| Geese | Regular geese | North Zone | Sep 26, 2026 | Dec 25, 2026 | |
| Geese | Regular geese | Central Zone | Sep 26, 2026 | Oct 4, 2026 | |
| Take-a-Kid | Take-a-Kid | Statewide | Sep 26, 2026 | Sep 27, 2026 | |
| Ducks | Regular ducks | Central Zone | Oct 10, 2026 | Nov 29, 2026 | |
| Geese | Regular geese | Central Zone | Oct 10, 2026 | Dec 30, 2026 | |
| Raccoon, foxes | Hunting (north) | North furbearer zone | Oct 17, 2026 | Mar 15, 2027 | |
| Badger, opossum, weasels | Hunting (north) | North furbearer zone | Oct 17, 2026 | Mar 15, 2027 | |
| Ducks | Regular ducks | South Zone | Oct 17, 2026 | Dec 6, 2026 | |
| Geese | Regular geese | South Zone | Oct 17, 2026 | Jan 6, 2027 | |
| Raccoon, foxes | Hunting (south) | South furbearer zone | Oct 24, 2026 | Mar 15, 2027 | |
| Badger, opossum, weasels | Hunting (south) | South furbearer zone | Oct 24, 2026 | Mar 15, 2027 | |
| Bobcat | Hunt and trap (north) | North furbearer zone | Dec 12, 2026 | Jan 17, 2027 | |
| Crow | Crow segment | Statewide | Dec 15, 2026 | Jan 15, 2027 | |
| Bobcat | Hunt and trap (south) | South furbearer zone | Jan 2, 2027 | Jan 17, 2027 | |
| Light geese | Spring light goose | Statewide | Feb 18, 2027 | Apr 30, 2027 | |
| Crow | Crow segment | Statewide | Mar 1, 2027 | Mar 31, 2027 |
Waterfowl rows show the North, Central and South zones because DNR draws those lines on highways (MN 210/23/39, US 212/I-494/I-94), not by unit; check the DNR map.
From the 2026-2027 Minnesota Hunting and Trapping Regulations booklet (Minnesota Department of Natural Resources); checked October 28, 2026. All Minnesota seasons.
DPA 246 harvest, the area around Lyons State Forest
Harvest numbers below are DPA 246 totals (3,143 in 2025), the closest DNR figure for Lyons State Forest.
| Season | Bucks (adult) | Others | Registered | Per sq mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 2,330 | 813 | 3,143 | 4.01 |
| 2024 | 2,044 | 580 | 2,624 | 3.35 |
| 2023 | 1,621 | 773 | 2,394 | 3.05 |
| 2022 | 1,523 | 1,399 | 2,922 | 3.73 |
| 2021 | 2,013 | 1,597 | 3,610 | 4.60 |
| 2020 | 1,825 | 1,706 | 3,531 | 4.50 |
| 2019 | 1,824 | 1,763 | 3,587 | 4.58 |
| 2018 | 1,936 | 1,996 | 3,932 | 4.68 |
| 2017 | 2,293 | 2,593 | 4,886 | 5.82 |
DNR 2025 deer harvest report; earlier years from the DNR yearly reports. Checked October 28, 2026.
Lyons State Forest on the map with nearby land
Big pins mark Lyons State Forest; Dry Sand WMA is the nearest neighbor at 3.5 mi.
| Neighbor | Category | Acreage | DPA | Distance | Direction |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dry Sand WMA | WMA | 799 | 246 | 3.5 mi | east |
| Farnham Lake WMA | WMA | 255 | 246 | 4.1 mi | southeast |
| Crow Wing River Corridor WMA, 750 ac | WMA | 750 | 246 | 4.3 mi | north |
| Strike WMA | WMA | 300 | 246 | 4.4 mi | north |
| North Germany WMA | WMA | 278 | 246 | 5.3 mi | northwest |
| Sebeka WMA | WMA | 150 | 241 | 9.4 mi | northwest |
| Wadena WMA | WMA | 56 | 241 | 10 mi | southwest |
| Dower Lake WMA | WMA | 40 | 214 | 12 mi | south |
Points: DNR State Forest Management Units layer (DNR-administered land) (polygon centroid of the largest part). Straight-line distances. Statewide public land map.
What Wadena County adds to a Lyons State Forest trip
Lyons State Forest is one of 18 public places we list in Wadena County. Quota bear area 45 and 46 overlaps the county (45 (700 permits) and 46 (950 permits)). Turkey: permit area 507. Area wildlife office: Park Rapids Area Wildlife Office ((218) 732-8452 ext. 235). Do not mistake Lyons State Forest for closed Wadena County ground such as Cat Creek Aquatic Management Area and Union Creek Aquatic Management Area.
County acres from DNR and federal GIS layers (counties.json); zones from the 2026-2027 booklet; checked October 28, 2026.
Supplies and help close to Lyons State Forest
From Lyons State Forest the nearest town is Nimrod (7.3 mi). Staples, with 3,075 residents, is the biggest town on the list. DNR staff closest to Lyons State Forest work out of Park Rapids (29 mi).
| Place | County | Population | Distance | Direction |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nimrod | Wadena | 82 | 7.3 mi | north |
| Staples | Wadena | 3,075 | 11 mi | south |
| Aldrich | Wadena | 34 | 11 mi | south |
| Verndale | Wadena | 512 | 12 mi | southwest |
| Sebeka | Wadena | 753 | 13 mi | northwest |
Towns from the 2024 Census gazetteer and population estimates; offices and businesses from services.json (DNR and business listings, chain stores and license agents left out); straight-line miles. Checked October 28, 2026.
Closest Minnesota ranges to Lyons State Forest
Ringneck Ridge Shooting Preserve, 17 miles away, is the nearest range to Lyons State Forest; check its access rule before going.
From the operators’ pages and directory listings, checked October 28, 2026.
Lyons State Forest legal light on key dates
Legal light at Lyons State Forest: half an hour before sunrise to half an hour after sunset for deer and bear, and to sunset for turkey, waterfowl and small game.
| Day | Season point | Sun up | Sun down | Shooting opens | Deer close | Bird close |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sep 19, 2026 | Archery and grouse opener | 7:01 a.m. | 7:26 p.m. | 6:31 a.m. | 7:56 p.m. | 7:26 p.m. |
| Sep 26, 2026 | Duck opener | 7:10 a.m. | 7:12 p.m. | 6:40 a.m. | 7:42 p.m. | 7:12 p.m. |
| Oct 10, 2026 | Pheasant opener | 7:28 a.m. | 6:44 p.m. | 6:58 a.m. | 7:14 p.m. | 6:44 p.m. |
| Nov 7, 2026 | Firearms deer opener | 7:09 a.m. | 4:58 p.m. | 6:39 a.m. | 5:28 p.m. | 4:58 p.m. |
| Nov 28, 2026 | Muzzleloader opener | 7:39 a.m. | 4:37 p.m. | 7:09 a.m. | 5:07 p.m. | 4:37 p.m. |
| Dec 31, 2026 | Archery close | 8:03 a.m. | 4:41 p.m. | 7:33 a.m. | 5:11 p.m. | 4:41 p.m. |
| Apr 14, 2027 | Spring turkey opener | 6:36 a.m. | 8:04 p.m. | 6:06 a.m. | 8:34 p.m. | 8:04 p.m. |
Raccoon and fox may be hunted at night under DNR rules.
Hours rule from the DNR booklet shooting hours page; sun times calculated for the unit point (NOAA method, Central Time); checked October 28, 2026. Legal hours for every county.
Photos to set the scene for Lyons State Forest
Lyons State Forest questions answered from its record
What DPA is Lyons State Forest, and what is its designation?
DPA 246 (200 series, either-sex). Firearms deer runs Nov 7 to Nov 15, 2026 there.
What animals can be hunted at Lyons State Forest?
All open seasons, as the agency lists no species for Lyons State Forest.
How do hunters reach Lyons State Forest?
Head for Nimrod, 7.3 mi off, and use the map.
Who holds title to Lyons State Forest?
Land manager for Lyons State Forest: Minnesota Department of Natural Resources.
Does chronic wasting disease testing apply on Lyons State Forest?
DPA 246 is outside the CWD zones, with optional testing.
What are the legal shooting hours at Lyons State Forest?
On the Nov. 7 firearms opener, legal deer hours at Lyons State Forest run 6:39 a.m. to 5:28 p.m..
If Lyons State Forest is full, where is the next public land?
Public ground nearest by straight line: Dry Sand WMA (3.5 mi), Farnham Lake WMA (4.1 mi) and Crow Wing River Corridor WMA (4.3 mi).
Are tree stands allowed on Lyons State Forest, and for how long?
You may, but any stand left on Lyons State Forest becomes available to other hunters, and cutting lanes is not allowed.
Is hunting legal on Lyons State Forest in 2026-27?
Yes, under the rules in the table above and the state seasons.
How many acres of hunting does Lyons State Forest offer?
6,349 acres.
Last checks before driving to Lyons State Forest
Boundaries on the ground beat any web page; watch for posted refuge areas on Lyons State Forest.
Sources: source · source · source · source · source · source; regulations from the 2026-2027 Minnesota Hunting and Trapping Regulations. Checked October 28, 2026.
Other photos on this page: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Public Domain Mark 1.0); U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Public Domain Mark 1.0); U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Public Domain Mark 1.0).