In October 1992, the first 50 miles of the Paul Bunyan Trail from Brainerd to Hackensack opened to the public and it has since more than doubled in length. Be sure to read the Paul Bunyan Interpretive panel for Paul's story of Island Lake Woods and how the red and white pines rejuvenated after a blazing forest fire burned hundreds of acres. Trail Access and Parking Areas, and Rest Areas in Pequot Lakes MN Many places to stop and rest along the way. of deadfall trees during the last 4 miles to Crow Wing state park from the big storm on the previous Thursday (the 4th). On the north side, a hiking trail and parking area lend themselves to a longer woods experience. You can now ride from Crow Wing State Park to Bemidji State Park on the Paul Bunyan Trail! But it wasn't long until I reached the turn to a quiet side street that took me the rest of the way to the college campus and a separate bike trail through the parks to Paul and Babe. Our first ride, we rode the section from Pine River to Brainerd and back to Pine River (68.35 miles RT). Trail improvements are still in play to get a bridge crossing Paul Bunyan and connect up to the lakeside trail sooner. We saw a small beaver swimming in one of the many lakes. There is signage now as the Paul Bunyan Trail enters a residential area in Bemidji. Pavement is much better in the Walker area where the Paul Bunyan meets the Heartland to present MANY interesting and enjoyable combinations of trail, towns, hills, flat and scenery. The famous Paul Bunyan trail extends 120 miles from Brainerd north to Lake Bemidji State Park, through secluded woods, meadows, alongside lakes and through several towns. Our park is a family park dedicated mainly to seasonal occupants although we have some sites for overnight camping. Drove from Brainerd (locked bike at Brainerd Public Library just across the street from Mickies Pizza and Subs---drop off for bus) and drove to Bemidji. Then on to Bemidji on day 2, with a brief stop at the LaPorte grocery, as there aren't many places to stock up on that stretch. The Heartland trail also continues north to Cass Lake. If you prefer it "clean" then Carbon Canyon Regional Park will do it … Downtown Loop is just a bit longer than the Lunchbox at 2 miles, also taking hikers along the west shore of Lake Bemidji. Bemidji, MN 56601, Copyright © 2020 Pinnacle Marketing Group | Privacy Policy. The people were very helpful and every motel had a place to store the bikes. Over 25 sculptures created by well-known artists make for a beautiful and interesting hike through the town of Bemidji. The Blue Ox Trail is primarily an unpaved motorized trail for snowmobiling and off-highway vehicle I imagine this is a great fall foliage trail but with the rain, wind and overcast skies, this was not a pretty as the Wm Munger Trail. Fourth Day
Rode 39 miles to Park Rapids
Left Owls Nest at 8:30 after skipping Joe's Vittles due to a steady drizzle of rain. Paul Bunyan State Trail The longest paved rail-to-trail in the country takes you 115 miles, traveling from Bemidji to Brainerd. Also a beautiful etched marble bench. Each hole has a restaurant or brewery to taste and there are thousands of people. Scenic from nisswa. Follows the highway for the first 7 miles or so but then moves away. Overall, the trail was well maintained, no bugs, only a few sections of bumpy roots, and we met some nice folks. Many of the towns have a long history in the railroad and timber industries, and, before that, American Indians of the Ojibwe and Dakota nations lived in the region. On the way to Walker, rather than taking the Shingobee shortcut, we took the Paul Bunyan trail through the Chippewa Forest, which is not a rail-trail- it is a paved mountain bike trail with some steep sections for 9 miles before joining up with the Heartland rail-trail into Walker. View Map Chiarella Forest Management Area : When Lillian and Chester Chiarella donated this 77-acre tract of land on Timberland Road, they wanted to leave a legacy for the public. Dinner was at Udom Thai and then breakfast the next day was supposed to be at Joe's Vittles. The restroom was clean at time of this review post easter. Easy to bike and lots forest. We had lunch and then turned around at this point. The trails should be too. Enjoy a beautiful hiking trail just about anywhere in Bemidji – from a tour along the shore of Lake Bemidji to a mile-long boardwalk at the Big Bog State Recreation Area. It's a beautiful trail and a fun ride. We got a Subway sandwich and rode an hour or so towards Cass Lake. Paul Bunyan Trail is a 72.4 mile moderately trafficked point-to-point trail located near Walker, Minnesota that features a lake and is good for all skill levels. There is also a very cute B&B in town called Lake Bemidji B&B but we didn’t stay there. There were several benches and one picnic table by a shelter. Delicious trail for mountain biking and can be dusty. Begin your tour at the Tourist Information Center where free parking and maps are available. Once you cross the river on the very nice MN 371 bridge, you need to be heads up as some of the signage is confusing/absent/outdated/vague going into and through Brainerd. A little bruising between Hackansack and Pine River, but otherwise smooth and scenic. At Lake Bemidji State Park, the Paul Bunyan State Trail connects to the Blue Ox Trail, and together these trails form one of the longest rail-to-trail conversions in North America for a total distance of 213 miles. Parking is $5 per vehicle or a State Parks Pass. Self Guided - 3.25 Miles Parking available at the Chamber of Commerce Visitor Center Backus. but you can tell because the tar path turns while straight ahead is concrete sidewalk. Turned around at mile 38 or so (11 miles from the lake) and came back. Owls Nest motel is small but clean and generally ok. It’s impossible to escape noticing our official greeter, Paul Bunyan, the moment you pull into our parking lot. Will come back to do the southern section of the PB trail someday. Weather was unusually warm on day 1, but misty for the rest of our tour. Koering Road. Paul and his legendary friends have been greeting youngsters by name since 1954 and have been a must-see attraction for anyone visiting the Brainerd Lakes Area. Agree with other comments regarding signs in Baxter/Brainerd. Possibly caused by frost, I don't know. In about a mile, the trail joins with the Blue Ox Trail and you’ll travel this route north for 4.5 miles. Lots of good shopping and restaurants in downtown, check out the cooperative store and the Bemidji Brewery, maybe also the Minnesota Nice Café. 20 at Lake Bemidji State Park (Bemidji). We stayed at Walker Hotel, nice facility with good breakfast about 3 blocks off the trail. I've often found that the largest MN towns (Fergus Falls, Willmar, Brainerd) have non-existent or poor trailheads, while some of the smallest towns really go out of their way to accommodate users. Head for the northeastern corner of the parking lot, left of the Newfound Gap overlook, to pick up the eastbound Appalachian Trail. The rail-trail follows an inactive railroad corridor built in 1893 and last owned by Burlington Northern. You then come to Brainerd near a shopping mall and there is a trail sign indicating the trail to the right along College Avenue - the trail is then basically a wide tar sidewalk which you follow to MN 48/Highland Scenic Road and there is a sign for the trail to the left. We found a great resort called Breezy Point just six miles east of Pequot Lakes on Highway 11. Chris and Robyn are the hosts. Seventh Day
Rode 32 miles to Bemidji
After leaving Walkter we stopped in LaPorte and bought water and ate snacks and the grocery there makes lunch and is very good. The milepost on the trail were recently revised to reflect the southern extension of the trail to Crow Wing State Park. Rocky Point Overlook with its spectacular view high over Lake Bemidji is one of the most popular Park destinations. Ate spaghetti at Lucette’s Pizza of course. There is a brewery and Tara Bemidji restaurant we really wanted to try but they were closed that day. Eighth Day
Rode the 26 miles again to Crow Wing State Park from Baxter / Brainerd. Paul Bunyan State Trail extends to Crow Wing State Park July 27, 2014. There were plenty of gift and specialty shops to browse in Nisswa and Pequot Lakes. Stayed in Hackensack at the Owl’s Nest hotel. Turn right onto Birchmont Beach Road/County Road 20 and go 1.5 miles to the park’s entrance. Anyone interested in outdoor sports must go to the Reeds sports store in Walker! I took the original route (not the Shingobee connecting trail) and while it is hilly it is manageable if you have a good brake. Trail Access and Parking Areas, and Rest Areas in Pequot Lakes MN The PB Trail is beautiful!". Find out more here. Turn right onto Excelsior and go 0.75 mile to Conservation Drive; the parking lot is on the left. Paul Bunyan State Trail. Accessible trails include the Headwaters Loop Trail and Doctor Roberts Trail that takes you to the Old Timer’s Cabin. the Grant-in-Aid trail system. The Paul Bunyan Trail is the longest bike trail in Minnesota at 112 miles. Not even a Mnt bike especially with a rain soaked trail and headwind. For fitness, fun, or both, the trail offers excellent opportunities for in-line skating, running, and walking. Along with hydro, water, and sewer hook-ups, seasonal sites at Paul Bunyan have available wireless internet, cable TV, natural gas and telephone. Our park is a family park dedicated mainly to seasonal occupants although we have some sites for overnight camping. There was supposed to be some road construction north of Nisswa but don't know if that's done or how it impacts trail? The last stretch of the Paul Bunyan Trail starting with Bemidji at mile marker 100.6 and ending the 107.9 miles of the Paul Bunyan Trail at the junction of the Blue Ox Trail at Lake Bemidji State Park. There were some rough spots in the trail but for the most part, it was a nice, quiet, smooth ride. Rides Amusement Park style rides for all ages include Merry-Go-Round, Ferris Wheel, Mini Himalaya, Space shuttle and more The Paul Bunyan State Trail intersects with the Heartland State Trail at MN 34 northeast of Akeley and north of Walker near MN 200 and MN 371. The trail now is a continuously paved trail from Brainerd to Bemidji. Right in town there is a statue of Paul Bunyan and his girlfriend Lucette. The forest offers 26 non-motorized trails totaling 298 miles. The Club encourages riders of all abilities to join them for a ride. Last summer I rode this trail and was happy to find a "loop trail" between Walker & Hackensack without the intense hills and curves found going through the Chippewa forest (not that I minded them); not sure what it's called. We will be back to explore more of the Paul Bunyan State Trail. We enjoyed the wild flowers and pine forests. Then we went to the Superone grocery store and got dinner. Only complaint is the walk from the trail in Baxter to the bus stop. MN highway 371 between Nisswa and Jenkins will go major reconstruction in 2016. Bemidji is actively pursuing bike friendly wayfinding, trails and routes, so be patient as the City, State and local organizations work out the details to ensure safe, well marked experience for all. One of the first trails you’ll encounter here, and a very easy saunter indeed, is our TRAIL OF TALL TAILS – … There is some significant elevation issues (8%)south of Walker that are testers. In fact, all of the trail north of Hackensack (all the way to Lake Bemidji State Park) is in good shape with some minor bumps here and there. Also most of the trail from Brainerd is straight for miles. Boardwalk Very poor services. Near Bemidji Trailhead. Schedule a stop here and Pine River which has similar amenities. First Day:
Flew to Minneapolis / St Paul and took the Executive Shuttle to Brainerd / Baxter MN. This portion is part of the Dr. Roberts Trail. There are some hills but it runs along Hwys 371/200 north of Hackensack and puts you into Walker on the eastern edge where there are some city trails & low traffic roads. Also rode the stretch from Pine River to Hackensack last year. With its northern trail-head in Lake Bemidji State Park, the Paul Bunyan Trail skirts along the shore of Lake Bemidji, crossing the Mississippi River, and offering miles of scenic trails accessible from many points along the way. Supported by the community and curated by volunteers, the art walk is a favorite Bemidji attraction. Landmark trail has interpretive signs throughout. Biking on the Paul Bunyan Trail I have biked, walked and roller bladed on the the Paul Bunyan Trail for 18 years on every mile in the Brainerd Lakes Area. There are some fast food places on the main road just a block north of the trail. The trail is flat which is awesome. The Trail gets pretty rough with cracks and holes once you get past Hackensack and all the way to Pine River, but overall a wonderful experience and felt so good the next day that I wanted to do it again. Trail riders report seeing white tail deer, beaver, eagles, ospreys, fox, ruff grouse and even an occasional black bear and perhaps even an elusive timber wolf! Starting at the statues of Paul & Babe, following the west shore of Lake Bemidji, this route provides an important connection from the downtown area to Diamond Point and Cameron Park. My 12-year-old daughter and I rode the trail from Baxter to Pequot Lakes. My friend and I biked from brainerd to pine river . Built in 2008 is Bemidji’s East-West Trail – 2.45 miles in length located on an abandoned railroad right-of-way. It was worse than the section from Baxter to Pine River. We went on a quiet day, though, and got in some very high-speed riding beyond Nisswau--the long straightaways are very inviting to speedsters. This year, in September, we are returning with 20 or so folks, mostly from Colorado, to bike the whole trail as well as much of the Heartland Trail. The resort is beautiful with flowers and the town is kept up. Very cool. After Walker you run into some very challenging hills for a bit. Wheelchair Accessible - 1.5 Miles The lake is great for swimming with clear shallow water and a naturally sandy bottom. The final connection into Crow Wing State Park happened in 2014, after years of work by Parks & Trails Council of Minnesota among others. There is no better way to see the Chippewa National Forest than on a trail with enjoyable options for both backpacking and day hiking enthusiasts. Rode 10 or 15 miles on the trail and checked out the small town of Brainerd. We plan on going back it was so much fun. Your starting point for any of these downtown trails is the Tourist Information Center, where there is plenty of parking. Shuttle driver was great though and dropped us at LifeCycles where we rented bikes (pre-arranged since their rentals are in Nisswa) – call and talk to Zach the owner. Drank a flight at Axe Brewery and learned that they play 18 holes of golf on the lake here in the winter. Paul Bunyan State Trail, the nation’s longest continuously paved trail, starts at Crow Wing State Park and continues for 110 miles to Lake Bemidji State Park. Dinner was at the Boulder Tap House the first night and they have 36 beers on tap and have avocado fries – so delicious. The trails are great and if you don't camp there are places to stay in small cities along the way. Fifth Day
Rode 28 miles to Walker MN after an enormous breakfast at the Red Bridge Inn. At the end of the bridge (northbound), there seems to be no sign but if you turn right and look back, there is an old sign which indicates the trail would be left but you just get to a fenced off old road - needs to be updated. A source of medicinal plants for the Ojibwe Indians, the bog represented a barrier to European settlers who tried in vain to drain it. This is definitely the place to stay in Park Rapids. Brainerd Trailhead (near Northland Arboretum) At the abrupt end of the trail I doubled back for a short while to the turnoff into Lake Bemidji State Park. "This is a well-constructed trail whose first link (Brainerd to Nisswau) is downright spectacular as it curves around lakes, passes through shady forests and beside heavy marshes. Diamond Point Challenge is a 5K route that shows all the best parts of Bemidji. I'm not complaining, but I'm curious about the bumps and ridges in the trail. With its northern trail-head in Lake Bemidji State Park, the Paul Bunyan Trail skirts along the shore of Lake Bemidji, crossing the Mississippi River, and offering miles of scenic trails accessible from many points along the way. The trail planning that started in Pine River in 1983 has finally come to fruition! Rode from Baxter to Pine River, Walker, then Park Rapids on the Heartland Trail. Day 4 we took the Shingobee shortcut out of the southeast corner of Walker, to connect with the Paul Bunyan back to Backus. Depending on the time of year, strawberries, blueberries, raspberries, blackberries and cranberries can all be found along the way for the picking. Once through Brainerd the trail is wonderful going through pine forests & by lakes. https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/minnesota/paul-bunyan-trail--2 Rode back and after sunset the bugs were horrible so we used the guest laundry. Guthrie has ample parking is offers a peaceful, shady rest stop under towering pines. It is a great place to walk, run or bike by many lakes and rivers as well as pockets of fall foliage. Construction of a six-mile paved trail segment connecting the Paul Bunyan State Trail to Crow Wing State Park in Brainerd is now complete and open to the public, according to the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources Parks and Trails Division. The Forestry Demonstration Trail and the Blow-down Trail are also self-guided trails. Being unfamiliar with the trail we were quite confused. in Crow Wing State Park. For fitness, fun, or both, the trail offers excellent opportunities for in-line skating, running, and walking. Bemidji to Hackensack is pretty sparse for supplies other than LaPorte so pack lots of water.
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