NORTH CENTRAL
Soo Line North Trail • Lawler Loops • Blind Lake Connector and Loop • Hill City Trail • Rabey Line Trail • UPM Blandin Trail • Emily-Outing Trail • Moose River Trail and Connector • Axtell Technical Riding Area • Miller - Black Bear Trail • Spider Lake Trails • Fort Ripley Trail and Ripley Connection • Blue Ox Trail • Pine Center Trails Crow Wing Southern Loop Trail • Meeker County OHV Park
Blind Lake Connector and Loop
Northwoods Regional ATV Trail System
Soo Line North Trail
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Big Rice Lake
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Hill City
Moose River and Connector
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This is the place to start if you never want to stop riding. The Soo Line North series of trails passes through Aitkin, Carlton and Cass counties, with stretches from Moose Lake to Lawler, from Lawler to Shovel Lake and from Shovel Lake to five miles east of Cass Lake. The Soo Line North connects with the 115-mile Soo Line Trail southwest of Moose Lake, which connects to six more riding areas, and an additional 100-plus miles. The trails follow the former railroad grade, curving through flat portions of the Hill River and Bowstring State Forest. Keep an eye out for wildlife, especially around remote ponds along the way.
Continuing northwest on the Soo Line North, the next diversion is the Blind Lake Connector and Loop. This trail takes you into deep wilderness forest and pond habitat where grouse, fox, deer and turkey are commonly spotted. There are several restrooms and picnic spots along the trail, and a rustic shelter with a woodstove where the trail ends at Brown Lake.
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Palisade
Blind Lake Loop
Distance: 33 miles Difficulty: Easiest Parking/Trailhead Location(s): On the north
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Season: May 15 to October 31 Vehicles Allowed:
Distance: 150 miles Difficulty: Easiest Parking/Trailhead Location(s): Parking and trail access is located in Shov-
County Land Dept., 218-927-7364
el Lake, Swatara, Palisade, McGregor, Lawler, Moose Lake and Remer. Season: Carlton County: year round; Aitkin and Cass counties: April 1 to November 30 Vehicles Allowed: (no OHM for Moose Lake-Lawler)
Hill City Trail
Facilities: Lawler, Palisade, Swatara, Remer, Federal Dam and Boy River: food, fuel, restrooms; Moose Lake, McGregor and Remer: food, fuel, restrooms, lodging More Information: Aitkin County, Mark Jacobs, 218-927-7364; Carlton County, Jim Gassert, 218-485-4486; Cass County, Kirk Titus, 218-947-7501
Lawler Loops The scenic, heavily wooded Lawler Loops Trail consists of a three-loop detour off the Soo Line North. Boardwalks crisscross over wetlands for an interesting ride, and picnic areas equipped with grills invite you to stop and enjoy a break in nature. Distance: 16 miles Difficulty: Easiest Parking/Trailhead Location(s): In Lawler along the Soo Line North Trail. Season: May 15 to October 31 Vehicles Allowed: Facilities: Lawler: food, fuel, restroom More Information: Mark Jacobs, Aitkin County Land Dept., 218-927-7364
12 • ATVentures 2017
Facilities: Swatara: food, fuel, restroom More Information: Mark Jacobs, Aitkin
The Hill City Trail offers some of the most satisfying challenges in the Aitkin area, with steep hill climbs and tight turns through the hardwood forest surrounding the Quadna Mountain Park. Stop and take in views of the Willow River from a 600-foot-high bridge and connect to the Rabey Line and the UPM Blandin trails to add miles. The trail can also be accessed at the Quadna Mountain Resort and Convention Center. Distance: 16 miles Difficulty: More Difficult Parking/Trailhead Location(s): Parking in Hill City and Swatara Season: May 15 to October 31 Vehicles Allowed: Facilities: Hill City: food, fuel, restroom, lodging; Swatara: food, fuel,
restroom
More Information: Mark Jacobs, Aitkin County Land Dept.,
218-927-7364
