Minnesota’s Largest Private Landowner Isn’t Even From Minnesota

If you’ve ever driven up north and looked out over the endless miles of forest, lakes, and winding gravel roads, you’ve probably wondered the same thing I have: Who actually owns all this land? We know the State of Minnesota and the feds have their share of parkland and forests, but when it comes to private property, the answer might surprise you.

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Minnesota’s biggest landowners aren’t necessarily big farm families or even local companies. In fact, the largest private landowner in the entire state doesn’t even live here, didn’t grow up here, and probably isn’t cruising Highway 61 with a fishing pole in the back of their truck.

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Who is the largest private landowner in Minnesota?

According to the latest numbers from World Population Review, the title of largest private landowner in Minnesota belongs to Molpus Woodlands Group, a timberland management company out of Mississippi that owns around 286,000 acres of the North Star State. Their land stretches mostly across northern Minnesota, where they focus on sustainable forestry and managing timber for investors.

Molpus Woodlands Group isn’t some faceless corporation, though. It’s still a family-led business. The company was founded by Dick Molpus, who served as Mississippi’s Secretary of State before turning his attention to timberland management.

But wait!

It’s worth noting that a nonprofit organization also controls a large amount of private land, even more than Molpus Woodlands Group.

The Minnesota Nonprofit That Actually Controls More Land Than Molpus

The Blandin Foundation, based in Grand Rapids, reportedly controls about 300,000 acres of forest in northern Minnesota. However, because it’s a nonprofit and not a traditional private company, lists of “private landowners” usually place Molpus at the top.

Either way, it’s pretty wild to think that one company, or foundation, owns more land than most Minnesota counties even cover.

MUST VISIT: Minnesota's 10 Highest-Rated and Stunning State Parks

And with so much of Minnesota’s wild beauty tied up in vast forests and private land, the best way to soak it all in is still with a good ol’ fashioned road trip. Below are some of the most scenic drives in Minnesota that showcase the beautiful landscapes we’re lucky enough to call home.