10 minute read
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
Northwoods Regional ATV Trail System Soo Line North Trail
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.
Remer
6
Big Rice Lake
200
Moose River and Connector
Blind Lake Connector and Loop
169
Hill City UPM Blandin
200
169 Hill City Connector
Mississippi
Rabey Line
River
65
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.
Blind Lake Connector
169
Blind Lake Loop
Palisade
Big Sandy Lake
Soo Line North
Distance: 33 miles Difficulty: Easiest Parking/Trailhead Location(s): On the north and south ends of the loop. Season: May 15 to October 31
Vehicles Allowed:
Distance: 150 miles Difficulty: Easiest Parking/Trailhead Location(s): Parking and trail access is located in Shovel 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)
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: Swatara: food, fuel, restroom More Information: Mark Jacobs, Aitkin County Land Dept., 218-927-7364
Hill City Trail
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
Facilities: Lawler: food, fuel, restroom More Information: Mark Jacobs, Aitkin County Land Dept., 218-927-7364
Rabey Line Trail
The Rabey Line Trail runs smoothly along the old Hill City and Western railroad grade and links the towns of Jacobson and Hill City. The scenic terrain includes jaunts through the Savanna and Hill River state forests, tours of swamps, bogs and sections of high ground. Traveling east, riders will also cruise along the mighty Mississippi River. In the middle of the Rabey Line is the UPM Blandin Trail, and near Hill City, the Hill City Connector meets the Rabey.
Distance: 19 miles Difficulty: Easiest Parking/Trailhead Location(s): Parking and trail access east of Hill City and north of Jacobson. Season: May 15 to October 31
Vehicles Allowed:
Facilities: Hill City: food, fuel, restroom, lodging; Jacobson: food, fuel, restroom More Information: Mark Jacobs, Aitkin County Land Dept., 218-927-7364
UPM Blandin Trail
The UPM Blandin Trail travels through northern hardwoods and tall upland spruce, making it an especially beautiful place to ride in the fall. Spurring north off the Rabey Line, the route includes several small stream crossings, a picnic area and a scenic overlook. The UPM Blandin ends halfway between Hill City and Grand Rapids on Highway 169.
Distance: 21 miles Difficulty: Easiest Parking/Trailhead Location(s): Park at trail access point seven and a half miles north of Hill City or seven and a half miles south of Grand Rapids on Highway 169. Season: May 15 to October 31
Vehicles Allowed:
Emily-Outing Trail
The 56-mile-long Grant-in-Aid-funded Emily-Outing Trail connects with the Moose River Trail and is surrounded by ATV-friendly communities where ATVs are allowed to travel within city limits. Terrain includes flat open trail as well as more challenging rocky and hilly areas. Some sections of the trail share the road with vehicle traffic.
Distance: 56 miles Difficulty: More Difficult Parking/Trailhead Location(s): Available in Emily and Outing. Trail access from Moose River Trail. Season: May 1 to October 31
Vehicles Allowed:
Facilities: Outing: food, fuel More Information: Meri Lysne, 218-792-5365
Moose River Trail & Connector
Linking the Soo Line North with the Moose River Trail, the seven-mile Moose River Connector is a straightforward ride toward the Land O’ Lakes State Forest, where it meets the Moose River Trail. Thanks to old logging roads, the Moose River Trail is smooth and flat, and suitable for all experience levels. Dense pine woods surround the trail, and small lakes and ponds provide wildlife watching along the way. Camping is available at White Oak Lake, off the Wren Lake Loop.
Distance: 36 miles Difficulty: Easiest Parking/Trailhead Location(s): Available in Swatara, Remer for the connector; trail access seven miles north of Outing on Highway 6 and then east on Ben Draper Forest Road. Season: Open year round; Connector open May 15 to October 31. Vehicles Allowed: (no OHM for Moose River ATV Trail)
Facilities: Hill City, Grand Rapids: food, fuel, restroom, lodging; Jacobson: food, fuel, restroom More Information: Mike Hilla, 218-259-5339 Facilities: Outing, Remer: food, fuel; camping in Land O’ Lakes State Forest More Information: Mark Jacobs, Aitkin County Land Dept., 218-927-7364 or MN DNR Parks and Trails, 218-308-2367
NEW! Axtell Technical Riding Area
Have a huge sand pit just taking up space in your backyard? Do what Aitkin County did; make a technical riding area! Housed on 40 acres, the newest addition to the Northwood’s ATV Trail System offers serious fun. With multiple bowls, hill climbs, a variety of terrain crawls and even a mud pit, you’ll never get bored here. Take a break from your ride and enter Axtell via the Soo Line North Trail.
Distance: 40 acres Difficulty: Easiest to Most Difficult Parking/Trailhead Location(s): Park in McGregor or Palisade, or make your entrance from the Soo Line North Trail. Season: May 15 to October 31
Vehicles Allowed:
Facilities: McGregor/Palisade: food, fuel, restroom, lodging More Information: Mark Jacobs, 218-9277364
Miller – Black Bear Trail
The 19-mile Miller – Black Bear Trail is the perfect choice for a day trip with new riders. The trail winds through forests and gently rolling hills covered with wildflowers and wild berries, and picnic tables and grills can be found at scenic high points along the trail overlooking the Mississippi River. Stop and savor the seasons, or stay overnight and make the trip last; primitive camping is available near Section 6 and the Mine Pit Lake.
Distance: 19 miles Difficulty: Easiest to More Difficult Parking/Trailhead Location(s): Travel north from Ironton for three miles on County Road 30 before turning south onto County Road 31. After 1.3 miles go south on County Road 128 and take the first right; follow one mile to parking. Season: May 1 to October 31
Vehicles Allowed:
Facilities: Lawler: food, fuel, restroom More Information: Russell Heitola, 218-825-0441
Spider Lake Trails
The Spider Lake OHV trail system offers a diverse array of trail challenges, making it an ideal spot to hone your skills. With nearby camping accommodations and a swimming spot on Spider Lake accessible, it’s also a great choice for families who enjoy getting outside to play. Nestled west of Pine River and Pequot Lakes, this trail climbs and dips through the Foothills State Forest and curves around lakes and ponds. It is open year-round but riding on groomed snowmobile trails is prohibited.
Distance: 29 miles Difficulty: Easiest to Most Difficult
Parking/Trailhead Location(s):
From Pine River go 12 miles west on County Road 2 (24th Street SW) and then south a mile and a half on Spider McKinley Forest Road to parking area. Season: Open year-round, except on groomed snowmobile trails. Segments of trail leading to #314 may be closed due to logging activities.
Vehicles Allowed:
Facilities: Pine River: food, fuel, restrooms, lodging; Leader: food, fuel, restroom More Information: MN DNR Parks and Trails - Bemidji, 218-308-2367
Fort Ripley Trail and Ripley Connection
The easy, enjoyable Fort Ripley ATV Trail is made up of three loops that run through part of the Crow Wing County Memorial Forest. The trail follows old Burlington Northern railroad grade, winding through easygoing hills through oak and pine forests between Sebie Lake and the historic town of Fort Ripley, gateway to the Camp Ripley military training facility. The Ripley Connection runs between Little Falls and Brainerd.
Distance: 31 miles Difficulty: Easiest Parking/Trailhead Locations: Access in Brainerd, Little Falls and Fort Ripley Season: May 1 to October 31 Vehicles Allowed: OHM on loop trail only as designated
Facilities: Brainerd/Little Falls: food, fuel, restrooms, lodging; Fort Ripley: food, lodging; camping and picnic facilities available in Crow Wing State Park More Information: Darrel Palmer, 218-828-0353
Blue Ox Trail
Running along an abandoned railroad grade through the Pine Island and Koochiching state forests, the Blue Ox ATV Trail is a truly scenic trail, with crossings over the Little Fork and Big Fork rivers, and views of swamps, black spruce and upland aspen stands. Wildlife is abundant in this richly forested region. Camping is available in Big Falls.
Distance: 74 miles Difficulty: Easiest
Parking/Trailhead
Location(s): Parking is available in Northome, Funkley and Big Falls (south of International Falls). Season: April 11 to November 30
Vehicles Allowed:
Facilities: Northome: food, fuel, restrooms, lodging; Big Falls: food, fuel, restroom; Funkley: food, restrooms More Information: Jack White, 218-897-5764
Pine Center Trails
The 20-mile Pine Center ATV Trail includes straightforward routes on level ground as well as mud runs and bountiful inclines and declines to thrill experienced riders. The route winds through large hardwood stands of oak and maple, and shelters and picnic areas along the way provide plenty of opportunities to take a break. Connect to the Crow Wing South Loop to ride to Brainerd or reach the Fort Ripley Trail and Ripley Connection.
Distance: 20 miles Difficulty: Easiest to More Difficult Parking/Trailhead Location(s): Park at the Pine Center community park located at the intersection of County Roads 2 and 8. Season: April 15 to October 31 Vehicles Allowed: OHM on trail loops as designated
Facilities: Garrison: food, fuel, restroom, lodging; Pine Center: food More Information: Alex Smude Jr., 218-764-2281
Crow Wing Southern Loop Trail
Whether coming from Brainerd or that’s your end-destination, the Crow Wing Southern Loop Trail is the ticket. With access to the city and connections with the Fort Ripley Trail and Connection, and Pine Center Trail, this loop showcases some of the region’s finest country and agricultural scenery.
Distance: 52 miles Difficulty: Easiest Parking/Trailhead Location(s): Park at the Brainerd Lakes Chamber of Commerce rest stop, located eight miles south of Brainerd on Highway 371. Season: May 1 to November 1
Vehicles Allowed:
Facilities: None More Information: Darrel Palmer, 218-828-0353
Meeker County OHV Park
With a nearby restroom, picnic shelter and youth training area, the Meeker County OHV Park is a great place to spend the day, or two, with the family. Nestled on 40 acres of maple, elm, ash and oak trees, you can also take advantage of the scenery via five miles of designated ATV trails or the six miles of motorcycle trails. There’s even a mud pit, too.
Distance: 40 acres Difficulty: Easiest Parking/Trailhead Location(s): Travel west from Darwin on Highway 12 and go south on County Road 9. Park entrance is six miles down on east side of road. Season: Year-Round, with temporary closures due to weather
