6 minute read
Iron Range
NEW! Bigfork and Balsam Connection
Take in lake views, meadows, wildlife and more on this Grant-in-Aid trail more commonly referred to as the B&B Connection. Eight boardwalks and bridges are highlights of the trail as it winds through the Chippewa National and George Washington State Forests. The majority of the B&B Connection is easy riding, with the exception of miles eight through thirteen, due to loose gravel and several challenging hills. Fuel and food stops are easy to come by at the trailhead, halfway through and near the end. The Wilderness Wheelers ATV Club maintains the trail. Distance: 33 miles Difficulty: Easiest Parking/Trailhead Location(s): South of Bigfork on Highway 38, west on Rajala Mill Road; or connect via Little Moose Trail off Highway 7 in Balsam Season: May 15 to November 1 Facilities: Food, fuel, restroomsg More Information: Jim Deeg, 651-403-3925
Little Moose Trail
The mixed northern woodlands of the George Washington State Forest make up most of this trail. Look for wildlife as you pass Hartley, Scooty and Wolf lakes, which border the trail, and take in some sweet vistas over the Prairie River. Stay the night at the Wolf Lake county campground, approximately mid-trail. The Balsam Trail Blazers and Itasca County maintain this trail. Distance: 18 miles Difficulty: Easiest Parking/Trailhead Location(s): 18 miles north on Highway 65 from Nashwauk; parking on west side of highway Season: May 15 to November 1 Facilities: Grand Rapids: food, fuel, restroom, lodging; Balsam: food, fuel, restrooms More Information: Art Daly, 218-245-3209
Genoa Trail
This short trail provides access between the Iron Range Off-Highway Vehicle State Recreation area and Eveleth, with access to Gilbert and the Sherwood Forest Campground. The Genoa Trail runs parallel to the Mesabi Trail and cuts through the old Genoa mining operation. Distance: 3 miles Difficulty: Easiest Parking/Trailhead Location(s): Located in Eveleth at the intersection of U.S. Highway 53 and State Highway 37. Season: Year-round Facilities: Eveleth/Gilbert: food, fuel, restrooms, lodging More Information: 218-300-7843
Mesabi Mountain Trail
The Mesabi Mountain ORV Trail, Minnesota’s first grant-in-aid ORV trail, covers some of the state’s most gripping terrain, including rocky gorges, granite boulders and a ridge along part of the Laurentian Divide. Lockers, a winch, 35-inch tires and friends are recommended. The Northern Minnesota Jeepers and the EvelethGilbert Joint Powers Trail Board provide and maintain the trail. Distance: 4 miles Difficulty: Most difficult Parking/Trailhead Location(s): From Eveleth, take Highway 53 to Industrial Park Drive, follow to Progress Park Parkway and turn right. Season: Year-round, with selected areas closed for deer hunting season Facilities: Gilbert/Eveleth: food, fuel, restrooms, lodging More Information: 218-300-7843
Alborn-Pengilly Railroad Trail
The Alborn-Pengilly Railroad Trail runs for 39 miles between the towns on an abandoned railroad grade, passing wooded bogs and upland forest. Cross rivers and streams on former railroad trestles. The trail runs past the Whiteface River State Forest, alternating between shaded woods and open areas. Itasca County and the Range Riders ATV Club maintain this trail. Distance: 39 miles Difficulty: Easiest Parking/Trailhead Location(s): Along right-of-ways within Alborn, Meadowlands and Pengilly Season: April 1 to November 30 Facilities: Pengilly and Hibbing: food, fuel, restroom, lodging; Alborn and Meadowlands: food, restrooms More Information: Jack Benolken, 218-885-1250
Don’t let the 36 miles of trail fool you: this 4,000-plus-acre area will keep riders busy from dawn until dusk. The Iron Range OHV State Recreation Area in Gilbert is Minnesota’s premier OHV experience. This huge park is devoted to riders and machines of every type. In the heart of Minnesota’s mining country, riders of all skill levels can enjoy trails and a multi-purpose event area, 4x4 rock crawl and obstacle course, tough-truck competition course, sand and mud drags, hill climbs, motorcycle track and more. The rugged landscape is framed by huge mountains of iron ore, stretching for more than 20 miles around the play zone. All OHVs must be registered but there is no admission fee. Distance: 36 miles Difficulty: Easy to Most Difficult Parking/Trailhead Location(s): From Gilbert, go east on Highway 135 to the entrance on Enterprise Trail Season: Open year round but with reduced winter hours Facilities: Eveleth, Gilbert: food, fuel, restrooms, lodging More Information: Iron Range Off-Highway Vehicle State Recreation Area, 218-735-3830
East Range Multi-Use Trail
Discover the Iron Range with this 22-mile trail that connects Hoyt Lakes, Aurora, Biwabik and Giants Ridge on forested routes and old mining roads. The trail is wide, but it also offers steep climbs to multiple stunning overlooks that offer views of mines, pits and Whitewater Lake. The trail also features two river crossings. The Ranger Snowmobile and ATV Club maintain this trail. Note: bikers, hikers, horseback riders are also allowed on this trail. Distance: 22 miles Difficulty: Easiest to More Difficult Parking/Trailhead Location(s): Biwabik, Giant’s Ridge and Hoyt Lakes Season: Year-round Facilities: Food, fuel, restrooms, lodging More Information: Lance Fondie, 218-821-7232
Chisholm Trail
Ride this trail around Halloween and see the local club members dressed in their spooky best for its annual costumed ride. This 25-mile trail runs between the City of Chisholm and Side Lake — extended by 14 miles for this year and featuring a new shelter. It offers hills, tight corners and a backdrop of mature pine and hardwood forest. Chisholm allows responsible riding in town from 6 a.m.-10:30 p.m. Northern Traxx ATV Club and the City of Chisholm maintain this trail. Distance: 25 miles Difficulty: Easiest to More Difficult Parking/Trailhead Location(s): Access in Chisholm and the intersection of Highway 5 and Connors Road Season: Year-round, but closed for deer hunting season Facilities: Chisholm: food, fuel, restrooms, lodging More Information: Larry Folstad, 218-969-6789
Thistledew Trails
Goodland Trail
This is the twist to the straight of the Alborn-Pengilly Trail. This winding trail connects the town of Goodland to the rail-trail, and offers a fun diversion through northern hardwood forest. It’s a popular place to leaf peep via ATV or offroad motorcycle in the fall. The 19-mile trail offers pleasing views of woods, lakes and bogs. The Itasca Trail Riders ATV Club, the Red Rock Riders and Itasca County maintain this trail. Distance: 19 miles Difficulty: Easiest Parking/Trailhead Location(s): Access in Goodland on Highway 65 or in Pengilly Season: May 15 to November 1 Facilities: Pengilly: food, fuel, restroom, lodging; Goodland: fuel, restrooms More Information: Jon Korpi, 218-969-4297 Thistledew Trails take full advantage of this special landscape of mature Norway pines and aspen. The 25-mile system consists of a north and south loop through the George Washington State Forest that are shared with horseback riders. The north loop showcases Five Island, Buttonbox and Crumb Lakes, while the south loop winds around Thistledew Lake. Riders can camp at the Buttonbox and Thistledew campgrounds within the state forest. Distance: 25 miles Difficulty: More Difficult Parking/Trailhead Location(s): 35 miles north of Nashwauk on Highway 65 then left on Highway 1 for 3.5 miles. Continue north on County Road 452 to parking Season: April 1 to November 30 Facilities: Grand Rapids: food, fuel, restrooms, lodging; Togo: food More Information: MN DNR Parks and Trails – Grand Rapids, 218-328-8982
