9 minute read
East Central
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
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
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
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
Red Top Trail
This technical diversion off of 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. The more advanced will appreciate the four skills areas: sand, mud, pits and the sink hole. There is a trail shelter near Bergman Brook and a campground along the Snake River. Note: Class 1 only on the Adventure, Ten Bruin and Eastside trails — watch for the signs.
Distance: 22 miles Parking/Trailhead Location(s): Isle (Driftskippers Club House), Redtop, Idun Road and the Snake River campground on Highway 65. Season: May 15 to October 31 Facilities: Isle: food, fuel, restrooms, lodging More Information: Mark Jacobs, 218-927-7364 or acld@co.aitkin.mn.us
Fond du Lac State Forest Trails
Located in Carlton County, the Fond du Lac State Forest trails offer a variety of experiences for all skill levels and vehicle types. Trails follow ridges throughout the land and border 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. Trail segments are connected by forest roads.
Distance: 37 miles; 16 miles of forest roads 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 Facilities: Cromwell, Cloquet: food, fuel, restroom, lodging More Information: MN DNR Parks and Trails, 218-460-7020.
The Nemadji is an embarrassment of riches for the offroad rider. Its 92,000 acres offer more than 200 miles of trails, including the new Washington/Ramsey and Straight Arrows trails, segments of popular Matthew Lourey and Gandy Dancer trails as well as access to trails in its neighbor, St. Croix State Forest. The area is surprisingly remote, so go prepared with fuel and a plan. This area welcomes all kinds of off-highway vehicles, with some trails exclusively for Class 1 ATVs and some singletrack off-road motorcycle trails. Stay on the correct trail for your vehicle. The south of the forest is gently rolling land; the forest gets a decidedly more northwoods feel the farther north one rides. The Washington/ Ramsey Trail narrowly twists, turns and climbs through the forest with amazing overlooks of stream valleys as the reward. Even experienced riders will face challenges on the Straight Arrows Trail, as it blends steep climbs and close-quarters curves with a series of straight stretches as a reprise. The forest is classified as “limited.” The Straight Arrows Enduro Riders and the Washington/Ramsey County Wheelers ATV club maintain these trails.
Distance: 71 miles (Washington/Ramsey Trail); 30 miles (Gandy Dancer segment); 53 miles (Straight Arrows Trail) Parking/Trailhead Location(s): From Nickerson, go north on Delong Road/Highway 23 and continue onto County Road 146 to Gafvert Dayuse Area. For Straight Arrows, drive east from Nickerson to parking off Harlis Road in the Nemadji State Forest. Season: Open year round Facilities: Nickerson, Moose Lake, Duquette: food, fuel, restrooms, lodging More Information: MN DNR Parks and Trails, 218-460-7020; Ken Fastner, 651-456-0225 (Straight Arrows Trail); Mike Harris, 651-587-3425 (WA Ramsey Wheelers)
Chengwatana State Forest OHV Trails
The twisty trails in this state forest are primarily for Class 1 ATVs and off-road motorcycles, though the section of the Matthew Lourey Trail within this forest accommodates Class II ATVs. This area of connecting trails has fun names like Redhorse Trail, Grouse Trail and Ramblee Trail. They skirt the Kettle 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 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 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
There are 24 miles of designated trail in this forest — however, forest roads are also marked for off-road vehicle use, bringing the opportunity up to 37 miles. This is great habitat for all types of creatures, including migrating waterfowl, beaver, mink, turkey and ruffed grouse. 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.
Distance: 24 miles designated trail Parking/Trailhead Location(s): Park at the day-use areas of Dago or McCormick lakes. Season: Open year round Facilities: Willow River: food, fuel, restrooms; Sturgeon Lake: food, fuel, lodging More Information: MN DNR Parks and Trails, 218-460-7020
Gandy Dancer Trail
What’s a gandy dancer? It’s old-timey slang for railroad crews, and it’s also the name of a 98-mile rail-trail in Minnesota and Wisconsin. The trail dips into Minnesota for 30 miles, with border crossings in Nemadji and St. Croix state forests. While this trail is mostly arrow-straight, it offers access to the two forests and a wide variety of landscape. It also offers access to trails in the two state forests. The trail is maintained by the Minnesota DNR.
Distance: 30 miles in Minnesota; 68 in Wisconsin 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 Facilities: Nickerson/Danbury, Wis.: food, fuel, restroom, lodging; Duxbury: food, fuel, restrooms More Information: MN DNR Parks and Trails, 218-460-7020
Matthew Lourey State Trail
The legacy of Matthew Lourey, of Kerrick, is recognized with this trail. It was a favorite of Lourey, who died during a tour of duty in Iraq in 2005. 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. Watch for deer, fox, porcupine, weasel, bobcats and black bears.
Distance: 47 miles Parking/Trailhead Location(s): Parking in both Nemadji and St. Croix State Forest. Season: Open year round Facilities: Nickerson: food, fuel, restrooms, lodging; Gafvert Campground: parking, camping, restrooms More Information: MN DNR Information Center, 888-646-6367
