There is a trail for every recreation– winter, spring, summer, or fall. Winter holds its own attraction. With the snow comes activities to suit everyone: skiing, snowshoeing, winter hiking, off-road riding and snowmobiling. Literally, hundreds of miles of trails link to the Heartland, Paul Bunyan, and Soo Line State Trails – three trail systems that intersect in Minnesota’s PlayLand.

Spring is a spectacular time to rediscover new life. Along with budding trees and blossoming wildflowers you can see hundreds of different songbirds and waterfowl in their natural habitat. Summertime bustles with a plethora of activities to choose: hiking, camping, biking, horseback and off-road riding, and in-line skating. Fall colors nearly explode beckoning adventurers to come explore.




One National and Twelve State Forests
The landscape is not only dotted with lakes, Minnesota’s PlayLand has twelve magnificent state forests (Badoura, Battleground, Bowstring, Crow Wing, Emily, Foothills, Golden Anniversary, Hill River, Land O' Lakes, Paul Bunyan, Remer, and Welsh Lake), the magnificent Chippewa National Forest, and Schoolcraft State Park within its boundary. Add hundreds of miles of abandoned logging trails and railway bed and you have great venues for easy exploration.

B–biking, MB–mountain biking,  H–hiking/hunting,  IN–in-line skating,
X–skiing,  HB–horseback riding,  S–snowmobiling,  ATV–all-terrain vehicle,
OHM–off-highway motorcycle,  ORV–off-road vehicle

A>HEARTLAND B MB H IN X HB S
This is a 49 mile multiple use trail for mountain biking, hiking, horseback riding, ski touring and snowmobiling between Park Rapids and Cass Lake. The 26 mile section between Park Rapids and Walker has an asphalt surface for biking and in-line skating. Snowmobiles with studded tracks are restricted on that portion. One of several points to access the trail is located one mile south of Walker on Cass Co Rd 50.


B>NORTH COUNTRY MB H X
This trail is exclusively for non-motorized use – hiking, hunting, ski touring, mountain biking. It is currently 68 miles and is part of a 3,200 mile National Scenic Trail which, when complete, will run from the Appalachian Trail in New York to the Lewis and Clark Trail in North Dakota. It threads through numerous lakes and wetlands in pine and hardwood forests. The terrain is relatively level on the eastern portion and becomes rolling in the western portion. The trail affords plenty of wildlife, including bald eagles and wildflowers. There are seven primitive campsites.


C>PAUL BUNYAN B MB H IN HB S ATV OHM ORV
This 100 mile multi-use trail between Brainerd/Baxter and Bemidji is for mountain biking, hiking, snowmobiling. The 48 mile section between Brainerd and Hackensack is paved for bike touring and in-line skating.  Snowmobiles with studded tracks are restricted on this section. There are nearly 18 miles set aside for non-motorized use only.


D>RABEY LINE ATV TRAIL ATV
This is a 19.1 mile trail from Hill City to the county park in Jacobson dedicated to all-terrain vehicles. It is open all year.


E>SOO LINE TRAIL MB H X S ATV
This is a 116 mile abandoned railway between Moose Lake and Cass Lake can be used by mountain bikers, hikers, recreational motor vehicles and snowmobiles. All-terrain vehicles may use the trail from April 1- Nov. 30.  It meets the Heartland Trail and the North Country Scenic Trail.


Chippewa National Forest B MB H IN X HB S ATV OHM ORV
The Chippewa National Forest is a vast wetland with over 700 lakes and 920 miles of rivers. You will find family campgrounds located across the Forest’s 660,000 acres providing everything from protected boat harbors to hot showers. Many have access to hiking or biking trails, fishing piers, and of course, some of the best fishing in the state. Winter enthusiasts have excellent snowshoeing, cross-country skiing, ice fishing and snowmobiling opportunities.

 

Minnesota State Forests

G-2 Badoura State Forest H X S ATV

D-6 Battleground State Forest H

A-8 Bowstring State Forest H

J-7 Crow Wing State Forest H

I-8 Emily State Forest H

G-H I-3 Foothills State Forest H X S ATV ORV

F-12 Golden Anniversary State Forest MB X

H-12 Hill River State Forest H X S ATV

H-8 & G-9 Land O' Lakes State Forest MB H HB X S ATV OHM

E-1 Paul Bunyan State Forest MB H X S ATV OHM ORV

E-9 Remer State Forest H

C-3 Welsh Lake State Forest H

D-I Itasca State Park B H X S

D-9 Schoolcraft State Park H X