EAST CENTRAL

Soo Line South • Soo Pits Trail • Red Top Trail • Solana Loop/Solana State Forest • Gandy Dancer Trail • St. Croix State Forest Trails • Nemadji State Forest Trails • Matthew Lourey State Trail • Washington/Ramsey Trail • Straight Arrows Trail • Fond du Lac State Forest Trails • Chengwatana State Forest Trails • General C.C. Andrews State Forest Trails

Soo Line South + Spur Trails Soo Line South

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The Soo Line South Trail, stretching through five counties and two states, is the longest single trail in the state at 126 miles. The Minnesota section is 115 miles long with one end in Morrison County near Royalton and the other at Saunders, south of Superior, Wis., where it is called the Saunders State Trail. The trail is built primarily on former railroad grade for a flat trail with sweeping turns. The eastern portion of the trail, in Carlton County, is especially scenic with a trestle bridge over the Kettle River and woodsy terrain. Its trail cousin, Soo Line North, bisects the north-central area of Minnesota. The two intersect in Moose Lake. The Soo Line South also connects to the Red Top Trail, Solana State Forest and Loop, the Soo Pits ATV Trails and Foxy Loop.

Saunders

10 25

169 27 169

25 27

18 27 47

18 25 47 18 371

210 169 47

169 210 65 65 210 73 210

73 27 27 65

18 23 27

65 65 23 23

107 48 23 33 23 23

2 210 35

105 35

35 2 35 35 35

Nemadji State Forest ATV Trails

Moose Lake State Park Gandy Dancer OHV Trail Nemadji State Forest

Jay Cooke State Park McGregor Aitkin Garrison Harding Lastrup

Onamia Hillman Little Falls Pierz Buckman

Royalton

Duluth Proctor Cloquet Soo Pits ATV Trails Nemadji

PINE CO. Superior WISCONSIN North

ATV Barnum Trail Moose Lake

PINE CO.

Solana State Forest General Andrews State Forest D.A.R. State Forest Banning State Park Snake River State Forest St. Croix State Forest MILLE LA CS CO .

AITKIN CO . CARLTON CO. Denham

Rutledge Finlayson Askov

Hinckl ey Mora

Pine City

Brook Park Olgilvie

Quamba Henriette

Wahkon Isle Sandstone

McGrath

Fond du Lac State Forest Wealthwood State Forest

Father Hennepin State Park Red Top ATV Trail

Rum River State Forest

Soo Line Mille Lacs

Lake Snake

Fort Ripley ATV Trail and Ripley Connection River

Crow Wing State Park Pine Center ATV Trail Mille Lacs

Kathio State Rum River State Forest Onamia Lake Genola Ann

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Distance: 115 miles in Minnesota; 8 miles in Wisconsin Difficulty: Easiest Parking/Trailhead Location(s): Aitkin County: park in McGrath; Carlton County: park in Moose Lake; Mille Lacs County: parking in Isle; Morrison County: parking in Genola and Hillman; Pine County: parking in McGrath and Moose Lake. Season: Aitkin, Mille Lacs and Pine counties: April 1 to November 30; Carlton County: year-round; Morrison County: April 1 to October 31 Vehicles Allowed: OHM in Aitkin and Carlton counties

Facilities: Isle, Moose Lake, Willow River and Superior, Wis.: food, fuel, restrooms, lodging; Genola: food, fuel; Denham: fuel, restroom; McGrath: food More Information: Aitkin County: Mark Jacobs, 218-927-7364; Carlton County: Jim Gassert, 218-485-4486; Mille Lacs County: Tina Chapman, 612-676-8664; Morrison County: David Lanners, 320-360-4927 or danlan1@live.com; Pine County: Mike Weske, 218-461-6040 or weskemike2002@gmail.com

Soo Pits Trails

Those who want a bit of a challenge should veer off the Soo Line South Trail between Highway 61 and I-35W to the Soo Pits area. It features five miles of twisties, with the highlight of a pit with piles, steep walls and rims for climbing and scrambling. This area is suited to a more experienced rider, or those who want to build skills.

Distance: 5 miles Difficulty: More Difficult Parking/Trailhead Location(s): From Moose Lake, go a half-mile east on Highway 27. Season: April 1 to November 30

Vehicles Allowed:

Facilities: Moose Lake: food, fuel, restrooms, lodging More Information: 218-460-7020

Red Top Trail

This technical diversion off the Soo Line South Trail between Isle and McGrath offers a variety of terrain for all skill levels, including some challenging stretches. Within the Red Top trails, the Adventure Trail lives up to its name with rocky sections, steep hills and marshy areas. Beginners will enjoy the sandy main loop, as well as the sand dunes, gravel piles and a water hole. There is a trail shelter near Bergman Brook and a campground along the Snake River.

Distance: 22 miles Difficulty: More Difficult Parking/Trailhead Location(s): Park at the Drift Skippers Clubhouse, at a trailhead 4.5 miles northeast off the Soo Line North Trail. Access also available at Snake River Campground on Highway 65. Season: May 15 to October 31 Vehicles Allowed: Class 1 on the Ten Bruins and Adventure trails

Solana State Forest OHV Trails & Solana Loop

The Solana Loop is adjacent to the Soo Line South Trail and within Solana State Forest. The entire state forest, though, is open to off-highway vehicles on signed roads only. Temporary closures may happen after major rains. The forest is wooded with mature oaks, featuring gently rolling hills and many swampy areas. The Snake, Rice and Split Rock rivers run through this forest.

Distance: 15 miles in the Loop; 48 miles of signed forest roads Difficulty: Easiest to More Difficult Parking/Trailhead Location(s): From McGrath, go north on Highway 27 for 6.5 miles, east on County Road 2 for 6 miles, south on County Road 26 for 1.3 miles, and left on 150th Place to parking. Access also available via the Soo Line South trailhead on the west side of Highway 65, south of the Snake River bridge. Season: May 15 to October 31 Vehicles Allowed: OHM on the Loop; ORV on forest roads

SOLANA STATE FOREST

PLINY

MCGRATH SOO LINE SOUTH SOLANA ARTHYDE

OL

Facilities: McGrath: food More Information: Mark Jacobs, 218-927-7364 Facilities: Isle: food, fuel, restrooms, lodging More Information: Mark Jacobs, 218-927-7364

Gandy Dancer Connections Gandy Dancer Trail

Named for those who originally built the railroad in this area, the Gandy Dancer Trail stretches 98 miles on a south/north trajectory through Wisconsin and Minnesota. It crosses into Minnesota at St. Croix State Forest and continues north for 30 miles, including the eastern edge of Nemadji State Forest before cutting back into Wisconsin. While this trail is mostly arrow-straight, it offers access to the two forests and a wide variety of landscape and trails.

Distance: 30 miles in Minnesota; 68 in Wisconsin Difficulty: Easiest

Parking/Trailhead Location(s):

Parking and trail access available east of Nickerson, outside Kingsdale or within the St. Croix State Forest. Season: Open year round

Vehicles Allowed:

Facilities: Nickerson/ Danbury, Wis.: food, fuel, restroom, lodging; Duxbury: food, fuel, restrooms More Information: MN DNR Parks and Trails, 218-460-7020

St. Croix State Forest Trails

There are two ways to see the 42,000-acre St. Croix State Forest: on forest roads or on the St. Croix State Forest Trail specifically designated for ATVs. This forest experienced a major blow-down in 2011, so part of the experience is witnessing the rebirth of a forest. There is a trail exclusively for winter use. Some trails are near the winding Tamarack River, which can become deep and fast after heavy rains. Trails here also connect to the Gandy Dancer.

Distance: 26 miles on St. Croix State Forest Trail; 45 miles on marked forest roads Difficulty: Easiest Parking/Trailhead Location(s): From Hinckley go east on Highway 48, then north on County Road 173 to Tamarack Forest Road. Season: Year-round

Vehicles Allowed:

Facilities: Danbury, Wis.: food, fuel, restroom, lodging; Duxbury: food, fuel, restroom More Information: MN DNR Parks and Trails, 218-460-7020

Nemadji State Forest OHV Trails

The Nemadji may be close to Duluth and the Twin Cities, but it’s an intensely remote state forest with minimal services and real roads. With its proximity and trails in excess of 100 miles, it’s a popular area to get away from it all. This area welcomes all kinds of off-highway vehicles, with some trails exclusively for Class 1 ATVs and some single-track off road motorcycle trails. The south of the forest is gently rolling land; the forest gets a decidedly more northwoods feel the farther north one rides. Connect to the Matthew Lourey, Gandy Dancer, Straight Arrows and Washington/ Ramsey trails to expand your adventure.

Distance: 100 miles Difficulty: Easiest to More Difficult Parking/Trailhead Location(s): From Nickerson, go north on Delong Road/Highway 23 and continue onto County Road 146 to Gafvert Dayuse Area. Season: Open year round except during deer hunting season

Vehicles Allowed:

23 145

146

164

Facilities: Nickerson: food, fuel, restrooms, lodging More Information: MN DNR Parks and Trails, 218-460-7020

NEMADJI STATE FOREST

Matthew Lourey State Trail

The Matthew Lourey State Trail connects three state forests, though ATV use of the trail is not continuous. Instead, designated parts of the trail in Nemadji, St Croix and Chengwatana state forests are for ATV and OHM summer use, with a longer trail connecting St. Croix and Nemadji for winter use. The trail sections within each forest provide access to a greater network of trails. The trail is named in honor of local Marine Matthew Lourey, who was killed on duty in Iraq in 2005. Lourey and his family enjoyed this trail.

Distance: 47 miles Difficulty: Easy to More Difficult Parking/Trailhead Location(s): Parking in both Nemadji and St. Croix State Forest. Season: Open year round

Vehicles Allowed:

Facilities: Nickerson: food, fuel, restrooms, lodging; Gafvert Campground: parking, camping, restrooms More Information: MN DNR Information Center, 888-646-6367

NEW! Washington/Ramsey Trail

Over 70 miles of challenging new trail join those already existing in the Nemadji State Forest. The Washington/Ramsey Trail narrowly twists, turns and climbs through the forest with amazing overlooks of stream valleys as the reward. Extend your trip by easily connecting to the Matthew Lourey and Gandy Dancer trails.

Distance: 71 miles Difficulty: Easiest to More Difficult Parking/Trailhead Location(s): From Nickerson go east, parking off Net Lake Forest Road in Nemadji State Forest. Season: Year-Round

Vehicles Allowed:

Facilities: Moose Lake/Nickerson/Duquette: food, fuel, restrooms, lodging More Information: Terry O’Rourke, 651-247-4898

NEW! Straight Arrows Trail

Contributing to the already impressive trail system located within the Nemadji State Forest, the new Straight Arrows Trail offers up a mix of 35 miles of single-track OHM and 18 miles of multi-use trails. Even experienced riders will face challenges here, as the trail blends steep climbs and close-quarters curves with a series of straight stretches as a reprise. Border hop into Wisconsin to enjoy trails in the Douglas County Forest.

Distance: 53 miles Difficulty: Easiest to More Difficult Parking/Trailhead Location(s): From Nickerson go east, parking off Harlis Road in the Nemadji State Forest. Season: Year-Round, depending on weather conditions

Vehicles Allowed:

Facilities: Moose Lake/Nickerson: food, fuel, restrooms, lodging More Information: Ken Fastner, 651-456-0224

Fond du Lac State Forest Trails

These trails are a newer addition to the state’s offerings. The 37-mile network is located primarily in the Fond du Lac State Forest, following ridges throughout the land, bordering wetlands, marshes and shallow lakes. There’s a wide variety of trail types for all skill levels. For those wanting to hone in on their riding skills, there is also a large gravel pit, which provides a perfect practice space.

Distance: 37 miles; 16 miles of forest roads Difficulty: Easiest to More Difficult Parking/Trailhead Location(s): Parking and trail access north of Cromwell, off County Road 120 as well as Gravel Pit Road. Season: Open year-round

Vehicles Allowed:

Chengwatana State Forest OHV Trails

Trails in this state forest are primarily for Class 1 ATVs and off road motorcycles, Chengwatana State Forest though the section of the 10 Matthew Lourey Trail within this forest accommodates Class II ATVs. This area of Wisconsin

connecting trails has fun names like Redhorse Trail, Grouse Trail and Ramblee Trail. They skirt the Kettle St. CroixRiver River as it enters the St. Croix, as well as Redhorse Creek. The wide, gentle curves are especially nice for new riders. Forest roads, when marked, are also open to ATV use.

Distance: 15 miles Difficulty: Easiest to More Difficult Parking/Trailhead Location(s): From Pine City, go 4 miles northeast on County Road 9, then 9 miles east on County Road 10/Chengwatana Forest Road to parking lot. Season: Open year round

Vehicles Allowed:

Facilities: Pine City: food, fuel, restrooms, lodging; Beroun: food, fuel, restrooms More Information: MN DNR Parks and Trails, 218-460-7020

General C.C. Andrews State Forest OHV Trails

Trails in this forest straddle I-35 and give multiple possibilities for loops. It’s a great place for early spring riding, as the soil drains quickly. Terrain rolls gently, and trails on the forest’s southern side meander along Willow River. Forest roads are also open to off-road vehicles, as marked.

Distance: 24 miles designated trail Difficulty: Easiest Parking/Trailhead Location(s): Park at a trailhead on Dago Lake Road, just east of I-35, or head farther east to Dago Lake day-use parking area. Parking and access also available at McCormick Lake day-use area. Season: Open year round

Vehicles Allowed:

Facilities: Willow River: food, fuel, restrooms; Sturgeon Lake: food, fuel, lodging More Information: MN DNR Parks and Trails, 218-460-7020