Chippewa National Forest is located at the crossroads of Minnesota's three major ecosystems: the aspen, birch, spruce-fir, and pines of the northern boreal forest; the maple-basswood hardwood forests typical in the southern part of the state; and the prairie just west of the forest. To Minnesotans, though, it's all"Up North."

The Chippewa was the first national forest established east of the Mississippi. Created in 1908, it was initially known as the Minnesota National Forest. The forest's name was changed in 1928 to honor the Chippewa Indians who first inhabited the forest.