It’s Berry Picking Time Around Lake of the Woods
Whether you do this as a sideline to your fishing trip or make this one of the focuses of your Lake of the Woods adventure, picking wild berries around Lake of the Woods is fun, gets folks out exploring the area and has delicious benefits! It is berry picking time around Lake of the Woods.
Although times can vary based on weather patterns, approximate harvest times for local berries: blueberries, mid-to end of July; chokecherries, mid-August; June berries, mid-July; high bush cranberries, September; huckleberries, mid-to end of July; pin cherries, mid July; and raspberries, July.
Fresh pie, crumble, or just fresh picked; blueberries are a favorite past time for Lake of the Woods. Mid-late July through the middle of August are prime “hunting” weeks for visitors and locals looking for a great outdoor activity. Hiking though some of the most beautiful areas of the county bring you to secret spots even the locals haven’t found.
Zippel Bay State Park has miles of groomed trails for pickers to recreationally walk and pick as they please without even leaving the beaten path. Blueberry Hill in Williams speaks for itself. This park is dedicated to the months of blueberries. This spot gives a little more freedom and terrain to explore while picking buckets of berries. Blueberry Hill State Forest is located 3.5 miles west of Williams on the south side of Highway 11 and is one of the highest points of elevation in the county.
Miles of Beltrami State Forest, the Red Lake Wildlife Management Area, and the Baudette School Forest are also available for pickers to explore. Franz Jevne State Park to the east of Baudette also has lots of area to forage. A couple farms are also available for pickers.
The time is now to get out and pick berries. I don’t know about you, there is something special about the berries we pick ourselves. Nature creates wonders and the berries around Lake of the Woods are certainly a few of them. Get out and enjoy!
To learn more about Lake of the Woods, check out the Lake of the Woods Tourism website.
To find a guide, charter boat or lodging, check out our lodging page.
