Hiking Biking andMore!

Around Detroit Lakes

► The Fish Hatchery Recreation Trail is a 1.1-mile paved trail that follows the Pelican River from the western shores of Detroit Lake to Lake Sallie at Dunton Locks County Park. More information is available by calling Becker County Parks and Recreation at 218-846-2612 or visiting the county parks and recreation website.

► The Lakeside Recreation Trail offers a magnificent view of Big Detroit Lake. The paved 1.25-mile trail runs from North Shore Drive to East Shore Drive along the frontage road and U.S. Highway 10. More information is available by calling Detroit Lakes Public Works at 218-847-4637 or visiting the City of Detroit Lakes website.

► The Richwood Road Recreation Trail parallels County Highway 21 to North Tower Road. This 1-mile paved trail provides walkers and bikers in the northern areas of Detroit Lakes quick access to the heart of the city. For more information, call the Becker County Highway Department at 218-847-4463 or visit the county website.

► The Heartland State Trail. Plans are well underway to continue to expand the multi-use Heartland State Trail through Becker County. It connects with the Paul Bunyan State Trail system and other regional train systems.

Around Perham

► Arvig Trail and Park, on County Road 51 on the north side of Perham, offers a paved bike and walking path as well as softball and soccer fields, volleyball sand courts, tennis courts, Little League fields and a frisbee golf court. The trail connects to the Cal Miller Bike Trail, which heads south and loops through town.

► Pioneer Grounds, east of Arvig Park on County Road 8, features a 3-mile bike and walking loop that circles the park. Vehicles may park on the grass field off 3rd Avenue NW and 6th Street NW. The grounds are the site of Perham’s annual Pioneer Festival and Black Powder Rendezvous events.

► The Wildflower Trail is for both bikers and nature walkers. It runs along the front side of Perham Health and connects to the downtown area, as well as to the Wellness Trail, a ¾-mile loop through the hospital’s 37-acre grounds.

A Perham trail map is available at progressiveperham.com.

Around Wadena

► Crow Wing River State Water Trail: Canoe, kayak or simply put your feet up and tube down the river. Crow Wing River has a multitude of activities for any outdoors enthusiast. The water trail boasts undeveloped shoreline with plenty of camping spots to rest your head. The river winds through the county from north to south, beginning at the Blueberry Bridge northeast of Menahga and exiting at the very southeasterly corner just west of Staples, according to the Wadena County Parks website.

► Leaf River Recreational Trail: With a trailhead in Sunnybrook Park, bikers head 4 miles northeast to Whitetail Run Golf Course, head west on County Road 20 for 2.25 miles before turning south and traveling 3 miles back to Wadena. Another 1.25 miles east gets you back to the trailhead for a total loop of about 10.5 miles.

► Cottingham Park Campground: About 13 miles north of Staples on County Road 30, this campground area offers a ton of outdoor activities. A 2.5-mile trail from Cottingham Park to Bullard’s Bluff Park allows for hiking, ATV riding and horseback riding.

ATVing

There are miles of ATV and OHV trails around Becker County, with the northeastern part of the county being a particular hotspot. The Forest Riders Trail in the Smoky Hills and Two Inlets State Forest is a 100-mile scenic ride through Becker and Hubbard counties, on terrain ranging from rolling and hilly to level and smooth. Some are joint trails that are used for snowmobiling in the winter.

A local ATV club, Woods-n-Wheels, helps maintain the trails, organizes group rides and overnight trips, and even offers personal guided rides for interested visitors. Contact the club by visiting the Woods and Wheels ATV Club Facebook page or woodsandwheelsatvclub. com. Trail maps are also available at the Detroit Lakes Regional Chamber of Commerce office.

DL Chamber events this summer:

• Women’s EDGE Speaker Series

• 4th of July Fireworks

• Cruise DL Nights

• Art in the Park

• Crazy Daze

There is so much to do at the Lakes! Check out our website for more information.