Douglas County Trails Association

DOUGLAS AREAtrails association

Minnesota has more than The DATA trails also include part 22,000 miles of snowmo- of the Central Lakes Trail, the abanbile trails that criss-cross doned Burlington-Northern railway its forests, prairie, hills and that has been transformed into a lakes. paved four-season recreational trail.

These trails, which are often The 55-mile Central Lakes Trail conmaintained through a partnership nects the communities of Evansville, between local clubs, trail users and Brandon, Garfield, Alexandria, Nelson the state, make Minnesota a popular and Osakis. snowmobiling destination. The Central Lakes Trail also

Here in Douglas County, it’s just connects to the Lake Wobegon as wonderful for snowmobilers. Trail, which extends from Osakis to There is breathtaking scenery – from St. Joseph near St. Cloud. Together, open flatlands to heavily wooded, the two trail systems are about 120 hilly terrain – on 368 miles of Doug- miles long and extend from Fergus las Area Trails Association (DATA) Falls to St. Joseph. snowmobile trails. These trails wind DATA is a non-profit corporation throughout the county, connecting sponsored by Douglas County to every community in the area and build and maintain recreational providing connections to trails in trails. Trails are groomed twice per surrounding counties as well. week when needed.

DATA TRAILS

Years ago, there were few places in Douglas County to snowmobile safely. Lakes and ditches were about the only option available until DATA was formed in 1974.

The association built the first trail that year (15 miles) with help from private landowners, business people and residents, and by 1975, it had a total of 80 miles. The system grew by leaps and bounds, expanding to 270 miles by 1978.

The organization was started by a small group of snowmobile enthusiasts who wanted to promote safe snowmobiling in Douglas County.

More than 500 landowners have given permission for trails to cross their property. Without their cooperation, there wouldn’t be a trail system.

For more information, visit the DATA website at www.douglasareatrails. com. A free map and additional trail information are available at the Alexandria Lakes Area Chamber of Commerce at 206 Broadway. See the DATA trail map on Pages 16-17.