Minnesota Department of Natural Resources logo

 

Image of state land. Land for sale. Find yours.

Fall 2019 Land Sale

The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources will offer 17 parcels at three public oral bid auctions this October. The auctions will be held in Virginia, Wadena and St. Paul, Minnesota.

The properties include unimproved recreational land in Carlton, Chisago, Isanti, Kanabec, Otter Tail, Pine, St. Louis, Wabasha and Wadena counties. The minimum bids for the parcels will be available in early September.

 

 

screen shot of land sale web map

Land sale web map

View an interactive map displaying the land sale parcels that will be available at the auction.

 

Auction and Parcel Information

Before attending an auction, please carefully review the property data sheets and the Instructions for Oral Bid Auction and Terms and Conditions of Sale. The instructions contain important information, such as how to bid, and the amount of down payment required at the time of the sale, and other DNR auction sale procedures.

 

  1. Thursday, Oct. 10 at Miners Memorial Building 821 S. 9th Ave., Virginia, 55792. This auction is held in conjunction with the St. Louis County’s tax forfeit land sale. The DNR will have its own bidder registration at the same time as the county, starting at 9 a.m. The county auction begins at 10 a.m., followed immediately by the DNR’s auction. 
    • Sale 69154 St. Louis County, Taconite Trail (40 acres)
    • Sale 69155 St. Louis County, Taconite Trail (80 acres)
    • Sale 09133 Carlton County, FDL State Forest (19.47 acres)

  2. Tuesday, Oct. 29 at 10 a.m. at the DNR Central Office, Lobby Conference Room, 500 Lafayette Road, St. Paul, 55155. Registration begins at 9:30 a.m.
    • Sale 13101 Chisago County, Wild River (1 acre)
    • Sale 30119 Isanti County, Spencer Brook Township (40 acres)
    • Sale 33167 Kanabec County, Joseph O’Brien WMA (68.31 acres)
    • Sale 33174 Kanabec County, Snake River (4.9 acres)
    • Sale 58132 Pine County, General CC Andrews (2.12 acres)
    • Sale 69161 St. Louis County, Gannon Lake (320 acres)
    • Sale 79173 Wabasha County, Zumbro River (10 acres)

  3. Wednesday, Oct. 30 at 10 a.m. at Wadena County Courthouse, 415 Jefferson Street South, Wadena, 56482. Registration beings at 9:30 a.m.
    • Sale 56172 Otter Tail County, Big Pine Lake East (0.48 acres)
    • Sale 80164 Wadena County, Lyons State Forest 2 (39.5 acres)
    • Sale 80165 Wadena County, Lyons State Forest 3 (40 acres)
    • Sale 80166 Wadena County, Lyons State Forest 4 (40 acres)
    • Sale 80168 Wadena County, Lyons State Forest 5 (40 acres)
    • Sale 80169 Wadena County, Lyons State Forest 6 (40 acres)
    • Sale 80170 Wadena County, Huntersville State Forest (40 acres)

The minimum bids for the parcels will be available in early September.

For additional information please call 651-259-5432, 888-MINNDNR (646-6367).

 

Land sale program

Minnesota is the largest landowner in the state with the DNR managing 5.6 million acres of its land. Continually working to improve the public land through strategic land asset management, the DNR regularly evaluates the state’s land holdings, looking for ways to improve conservation, recreation, and economic opportunities.

This active management of our land asset portfolio is one of the ways DNR meets its responsibility to the public and contributes to Minnesota’s exceptional quality of life. Land sales are a component of this work. The DNR coordinates the statutory and program requirements to sell state owned land that no longer meet the state’s needs. The most common way the DNR sells land is by public auction.

Why does the DNR sell land?
  • DNR works to improve its public land asset and sales are an important tool in managing public lands.
  • The DNR sells land because:
    • The land no longer meets conservation or recreation objectives.
    • Sale allows the state to maximize recreation, conservation and economic opportunities for citizens.
    • Sale resolves conflicting management uses.
    • Sale meets DNR’s fiduciary responsibilities on trust lands.
    • The legislature directs DNR to sell land.
  • Proceeds from sales are often re-invested in purchasing higher quality parcels.
How does the DNR sell land?

DNR sells land at public auctions. By following statutory requirements for the public auction the DNR provides a fair and open process to all members of the public.

  • DNR staff select and review parcels prior to sale.
  • The price is determined by appraisal staff or outside appraisers. By law, the price of the parcel cannot be less than the estimated or appraised value.
  • Notices of land sales are provided to other state agencies, local units of government, adjacent landowners and published on DNR’s land sale webpage.
When does the DNR sell land?

Public auctions are held once a year in the fall.

Parcels are advertised at the MN State Fair for the upcoming fall public auction.

Where does the DNR sell land?

Auctions are generally held at DNR or county offices near the parcels to be sold.

The DNR also has authority to sell land via online auction. This will be explored in the coming years.

Sign up for updates