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 • Straight Arrows • Washington/Ramsey • Matthew Lourey State Trail • Fond du Lac State Forest Trails • Chengwatana State Forest Trails • General C.C. Andrews State Forest Trails
Soo Line South 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. The counties and local ATV clubs maintain the trail. Distance: 115 miles in Minnesota; 8 miles in Wisconsin Parking/Trailhead Location(s): McGrath (Aitkin County): Moose Lake (Carlton County): Isle (Mille Lacs County): Genola and Hillman (Morrison County) Season: Aitkin, Mille Lacs and Pine counties: April 1 to November 30; Carlton County: year-round; Morrison County: April 1 to October 31 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 www.easternmorrisoncountyatv. com; Pine County: Mike Weske, 218-461-6040 or weskemike2002@gmail.com
Solana Loop and Solana State Forest OHV Trails The Solana Loop is adjacent to the Soo Line South Trail and within Solana State Forest in Aitkin County. Most of the roads within the forest are signed as open to off-highway vehicles. 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. ORVs on forest roads only. Distance: 15 miles in the Loop; 48 miles of signed forest roads 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 trailheads. Season: May 15 to October 31 Facilities: McGrath: food More Information: Mark Jacobs, 218-927-7364 or acld@co.aitkin.mn.us
Soo Pits Trail Make a stop at this fun scramble area adjacent to the Soo Line South Trail between Highway 61 and I-35W. It features 5 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. The Evergreen PAC ATV Club maintains this area. Distance: 5 miles Parking/Trailhead Location(s): From Moose Lake, parking is located a half-mile east on Highway 27. Season: April 1 to November 30 Facilities: Moose Lake: food, fuel, restrooms, lodging More Information: 218-460-7020
St. Croix State Forest OHV Trails St. Croix State Forest offers off-road recreation for multiple motorized vehicles: ATVs, off-highway motorcycles and offroad trucks. Be sure to know which trails and roads accommodate your vehicle. The 42,000 acres of forest is classified as “limited” for offroad riders. It offers scenic, woodsy rides with views of the St. Croix and Tamarack rivers. The area includes a trail exclusively for winter use. Trails here also connect to the Gandy Dancer. This is a working forest — trees harvested from here become a variety of wood and pulp products. Distance: 26 miles on St. Croix State Forest trails Parking/Trailhead Location(s): From Hinckley go east on Highway. 48, then north on County Road 173 to Tamarack Forest Road. Season: Year-round Facilities: Danbury, Wis.: food, fuel, restroom, lodging; Duxbury: food, fuel, restroom More Information: MN DNR Parks and Trails, 218-460-7020
24 • ATVentures 2018
