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Home , Chippewa National Forest, Jay Cooke State Park, Paul Bunyan State Forest, Superior Hiking Trail

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38 36 Visit northcountrytrail.org for a more detailed interactive map LAKE GEORGE and free hiking map downloads 7

19 20 23 24 21 22 32 18 25 27 28 29 33 35 30 31 36 6 26 34 to GRAND RAPIDS 17

16 70 71 69 72 15 37 WALKER 73 43 68 42 67 41 38 40 14 39 44 74 45 66 46 62 6465 47 61 63 REMER 48 60 49 WAYPOINTS NORTH SCALE 53 54 to 50 55 56 57 13 52 59 No overnight camping in Tamarac NWR 0 4 8 51 58 DETROIT TRAILHEAD WAYPOINT CAMPSITE LAKES 8 12 9 1-27 Laurentian Lakes Chapter 27-60 Itasca Moraine Chapter 60-73 Star of the North Chapter SCALE IN MILES 11 7 10 6

1 Campsite PARK RAPIDS 15 Elbow Lake Rd. Trailhead 32 CR-4 / Halverson Forest Rd. Trailhead 47 Shingobee Recreation Area Trailhead 61 State Hwy 84 Trailhead – 5 – White Earth State Forest GPS Location: 47.166383, -94.980996 – Chippewa National Forest GPS Location: 47.043763, -94.214933 GPS Location: 47.088496, -95.451249 Amenities: seasonal parking, trail register, maps, brochures GPS Location: 47.037314, -94.643553 Amenities: seasonal parking 4 2 State Highway 34 Trailhead Amenities: seasonal parking, trail register, maps, brochuresmaps, Amenities: ample year-round parking, trail register, maps, brochures, 3 - Hubbel Pond WMA brochures, boot brush, campsite nearby 33 Campsite spur trail to NCT 62 Crown Lake Campsite GPS Location: 46.839444, -95.646552 Amenities: ample year-round parking, trail register, maps, brochures, 16 Horseshoe Lake Campsite boot brush 34 Steamboat Pass Forest Rd Parking Area 48 CR-50 Trailhead – Chippewa National Forest GPS Location: 47.029081, -94.596144 63 Macemon Rd. West Crossing Parking Area 17 Hwy 113 Trailhead Amenities: seasonal parking, trail register, maps, brochures, Paul Bunyan – Chippewa National Forest 2 3 Hubbel Pond Rd. Parking Area – White Earth State Forest 35 CR-91 Trailhead – State Trail access GPS Location: 47.040120, -94.160668 1 - Hubbel Pond WMA GPS Location: 47.144242, -95.437068 GPS Location: 47.157282, -94.877201 Amenities: limited seasonal (roadside) parking GPS Location: 46.865354, -95.650770 Amenities: ample year-round parking, trail register, maps, brochures, boot Amenities: seasonal parking Amenities: seasonal parking, boot brush brush, campsite nearby 49 Lake Erin / State Hwy 371 Trailhead 36 Nelson Lake Public Access Trailhead – Chippewa National Forest 64 State Hwy 200 / Boy River Parking Area 4 Otter Tail River Ford Bypass Trail 18 Pine Island Lake Campsite – Paul Bunyan State Forest GPS Location: 47.016251, -94.535697 – Chippewa National Forest GPS Location: 47.157723, -94.840421 Amenities: ample year-round parking, trail register, maps, brochures, GPS Location: 47.044559, -94.111207 19 CR-39 / Headquarters Trailhead Amenities: seasonal parking, trail register, maps, brochures, spur trail to NCT, loop trail Amenities: limited seasonal parking 5 South Boundary Parking Area GPS Location: 47.166317, -95.415110 campground (fee), spur to NCT, Nelson Lake loop trail - Tamarac NWR / Hubbel Pond WMA Amenities: ample year-round parking, trail register, maps, brochures, 50 Woodtick Trail (FR2107) – First Crossing Parking Area 65 State Hwy 200 Trailhead GPS Location: 46.890376, -95.646712 boot brush, campsite nearby, Headquarters to Anchor Hill loop trail Lake Twentyone Day Use Area Parking Area – Paul – Chippewa National Forest Amenities: seasonal parking, informal campsite – Chippewa National Forest Bunyan State Forest GPS Location: 47.000465, -94.514903 GPS Location: 47.044211, -94.105358 20 Headquarters Campsite GPS Location: 47.161691, -94.841466 Amenities: seasonal parking Amenities: seasonal parking 6 Pine Lake Parking Area (Trailhead) Amenities: seasonal parking, picnic area / shelter, restrooms, spur - Tamarac NWR trail to NCT, Lake Twentyone loop trail 21 Anchor Hill Forest Rd. Parking Area 51 Woodtick Impoundment Campsite Mabel Lake Campground & Picnic Area (USFS) GPS Location: 46.921064, -95.657590 GPS Location: 47.165353, -95.381524 66 Amenities: ample year-round parking, restroom, trail register, maps, Amenities: seasonal (roadside) parking 37 Thorpe Tower Site brochures, boot brush Woodtick Trail (FR2107) – Second Crossing Parking Area FEATURED 52 67 FR2117 / Speaker Truck Trail Parking Area 22 Gardner Lake Campsite 38 Waboose Lake Public Access Trailhead – Chippewa National Forest SECTION 7 Old Indian Trail Parking Area – Paul Bunyan State Forest GPS Location: 46.996590, -94.486769 – Chippewa National Forest - Tamarac NWR GPS Location: 47.082687, -94.059931 Anchor Matson Forest Rd. Trailhead GPS Location: 47.058077, -94.832835 Amenities: seasonal parking GPS Location: 46.938369, -95.654061 23 Amenities: seasonal parking, trail register, maps, Amenities: seasonal parking GPS Location: 47.172401, -95.310045 Amenities: ample year-round parking, interpretive/historical information Waboose Lake loop trail Amenities: seasonal parking, trail register, maps, brochures 53 Hovde Lake Campsite 68 Old Pines Lake Campsite Tamarac NWR Visitors Center / Discovery Center Trailhead 8 24 Itasca West Campsite 39 Waboose Lake Campsite GPS Location: 46.957975, -95.653658 54 FR3790 / 30th Ave. NW Trailhead Amenities: ample year-round parking, restroom, water, NPS Passport – Chippewa National Forest 69 CR-4 Trailhead – Chippewa National Forest stamp, interpretive displays, maps, brochures 25 Gartner Farm Trailhead – 40 Akeley Cutoff Forest Rd. Parking Area GPS Location: 47.007878, -94.435428 GPS Location: 47.121400, -93.988671 GPS Location: 47.144975, -95.254784 – Paul Bunyan State Forest Amenities: seasonal parking Amenities: seasonal parking Amenities: seasonal parking, trail register, maps, brochures, boot brush GPS Location: 47.061964, -94.812247 9 Blackbird Wildlife Drive Parking Area Amenities: seasonal parking GPS Location: 46.948987, -95.617612 (State Park pass required) 55 Gut Lake Campsite 70 CR-52 parking area – Chippewa National Forest Amenities: seasonal parking (the Blackbird Wildlife Drive is a one-way GPS Location: 47.134647, -93.952495 road heading south from CR-26) 26 State Hwy 113 Trailhead – Itasca State Park 41 State Hwy 64 / E. Steamboat Forest Rd. Trailhead Amenities: seasonal (roadside) parking GPS Location: 47.137582, -95.261512 – Paul Bunyan State Forest 56 FR2108 / Tower Rd. NW Parking Area Amenities: ample year-round parking, trail register, maps, brochures, GPS Location: 47.069015, -94.731968 – Chippewa National Forest 10 400th Avenue Trailhead - Tamarac NWR Milton Lake Dr. / FR2324 Trailhead boot brush (State Park pass required) Amenities: seasonal parking, trail register, maps, brochures GPS Location: 47.003248, -94.393488 71 GPS Location: 46.934362, -95.562662 – Chippewa National Forest Amenities: ample year-round parking, trail register, maps, brochures, Amenities: limited seasonal (roadside) parking 27 DeSoto Lake Campsites 42 Parkway Forest Rd. Parking Area GPS Location: 47.134513, -93.934386 boot brush, campsite nearby Amenities: seasonal parking, may require high clearance 28 Iron Corner Lake Campsite 57 Mocassin Lake Campsite vehicle to reach 11 Campsite 43 Campsite U.S. Hwy 71 / South Entrance Trailhead 58 Woodtick Trail (FR2107) – Fourth Crossing Parking Area 72 FR2321 Trailhead – Chippewa National Forest 29 GPS Location: 47.124669, -93.909175 CR-26 Parking Area – Itasca State Park 44 CR-12 Trailhead – Chippewa National Forest – Chippewa National Forest 12 GPS Location: 47.056131, -94.650332 Amenities: seasonal parking GPS Location: 46.969517, -95.497834 GPS Location: 47.154235, -95.150946 GPS Location: 46.996000, -94.308513 Amenities: seasonal parking, trail register, maps, brochures Amenities: seasonal parking Amenities: ample year-round parking, trail register, maps, brochures, Amenities: seasonal parking boot brush (State Park pass required) 73 State Hwy 6 / FR2100 Trailhead State Hwy 34 / Lake Alice Rd. NW Trailhead 13 CR-35 Trailhead – Greenwater Lake SNA 45 59 Hazel Lake Campsite – Chippewa National Forest GPS Location: 46.984409, -95.490314 30 Campsite – Chippewa National Forest GPS Location: 47.094361, -93.853975 Amenities: seasonal parking GPS Location: 47.041967, -94.636106 Amenities: seasonal parking Amenities: seasonal parking, trail register, maps, brochures 31 Spider Lake Forest Trail Parking Area 60 CR-125 parking area – Chippewa National Forest GPS Location: 47.144968, -95.073422 GPS Location: 47.021500, -94.249867 14 Flooded Woods Campsite Amenities: seasonal parking 46 Campsite Amenities: limited seasonal (roadside) parking 74 NCT is not maintained past the Hwy 6 parking area

Sources: Esri, HERE, DeLorme, USGS, Intermap, increment P Corp., NRCAN, Esri Japan, METI, Esri China (Hong Kong), Esri (Thailand), MapmyIndia, © OpenStreetMap contributors, and the GIS User Community THE NCT IN ABOUT THE ABOUT THE LOCAL CHAPTERS

Laurentian Lakes (LLC) Chapter The NCT crosses the State of Minnesota for a total of 840 miles The North Country National Scenic Trail (NCT for short) is the longest The LLC Chapter was formed in 2006 and has about 85 members ITASCA MORAINE (ITM) CHAPTER SAYING HOW TO USE THE TRAIL from Fort Abercrombie on the Red River south of Fargo-Moorhead hiking trail in the spanning more than 4,600 miles. in the Ponsford, Detroit Lakes, Fargo-Moorhead, and Frazee areas. Designed as a premier hiking trail, similar to the , it to near south of Duluth. This brochure It facilitates volunteer work on the NCT from Itasca St. Park to the Allowed uses & safety focuses on the contiguous section in northcentral Minnesota. links scenic, natural, recreation, historic and cultural areas through Becker-Otter Tail Co. border near Frazee and is responsible for There are other hike-able segments including within the Fergus New York, , Ohio, Michigan, Wisconsin, Minnesota, and maintaining 60 miles of the NCT. The Chapter holds membership The NCT is open to non-motorized foot travel. This includes Falls area, near Grand Rapids, the , Border Route . meetings quarterly as well as a variety of annual social events (e.g. hiking, snowshoeing, backcountry XC skiing, etc. The NCT is

Trail, and . Learn more at National Trails Day hike event, Winter Trails Day event). Join us for “ not open to mountain biking, horseback riding, or any form of The administers the NCT in cooperation with all www.northcountrytrail.org/minnesota a hike or to help build, maintain, and promote the trail. I have been told that when we walk the land motorized recreational vehicles. levels of government, the North Country Trail Association, and private interests. The Minnesota Waters & Prairie (MWP) Chapter is currently Check out our Meetup group at meetup.com/HikeNCTinMN/ Much of the NCT traverses public lands that are open to hunting, working on developing the NCT in the Fergus Falls to Maplewood our breath falls to the earth and in that place we fishing, and trapping. Hikers should take precaution and wear The North Country Trail Association is a membership-driven, non-profit or email us at [email protected] State Park area. Learn more about them on FB: the appropriate blaze orange (vest, hat, backpack cover, etc) organization committed to developing, maintaining, and promoting during the fall hunting seasons. The NCTA strongly discourages MN Waters & Prairie, Meetup.com/Otter-Tail- the NCT through a national network of volunteers, chapters, partner are remembered always. Therefore, on a certain using the NCT during the deer rifle season. Visit the DNR’s Outdoors/ organizations and government agencies. Itasca Moraine (ITM) Chapter The ITM Chapter formed in 2002 with a current membership of website for more info.

The Arrowhead (ARW) Chapter is working on developing the NCT Hiking the NCT is a great, healthy activity for the young and old and is ~80 people from the Bemidji, Walker, Hackensack, and Park Rapids fragrant day, I considered all who had climbed in the Itasca County - Grand Rapids area. Learn more about suitable for families. areas. They work on the NCT from CR-125 near Longville west Trail marking them at to the middle of Itasca State Park. The Chapter is responsible fb.com/arrowheadhikers/ or Meetup.com/ for about 75 miles of the NCT. We hold membership meetings How do I recognize the North Country Trail? The official trail quarterly and outdoor activities monthly. these hills before me, stepped through fallen leaves emblem (below) identifies official segments of the North Country Arrowhead-NCT-hikers/ Trail but the trail is most often marked by blue paint blazes (photo Check our Meetup group at meetup.com/Chip-NCT-hikers/ below) on trees. The Kekekabic Trail (KEK) Chapter works to maintain the and walked beneath the pine. I thought of those who or email us at [email protected] Kekekabic Trail in the Boundary Waters. Learn more at kek.org. were coming, too. Surely they will remember that Star of the North (STN) Chapter The STN Chapter was formed in 1994 and has ~65 members Double blazes indicate upcoming changes in the trail which WE INVITE YOU TO GET INVOLVED! from all over MN with a nexus in the Twin Cities metro area. The our living breath has fallen in this place and cannot include spur trail intersections, turns, etc. An offset of the top Chapter focuses on outreach efforts in southern Minnesota and it blaze indicates the direction of the trail’s turn. Information on how you can become a member, supporter, or volunteer is responsible for 30 miles of NCT within the Chippewa National ” to help build, maintain and promote the NCT can be found Forest in between CR-125 near Longville and State Hwy 6 near be removed from our good and ancient land. Remer. It holds membership meetings quarterly and outdoor Trail maps on the web northcountrytrail.org activities monthly. by calling 1-866-HIKE-NCT (445-3628) The NCTA produces (as a free download) detailed hiking maps for Check their Meetup group meetup.com/Chip-NCT-hikers/ or emailing [email protected] ANNE M. DUNN Minnesota and also an interactive map for the entire trail. or email them at [email protected] Like us on Facebook to keep track of our Minnesota activities and news. For more visit All three Chapters invite you to join them for a guided facebook.com/NCTinMN www.northcountrytrail.org/trail/maps hike or to help them build and maintain the trail! Support our work at northcountrytrail.org/donate Help Prevent The Spread Of STOP INVASIVE SPECIES Invasive Plants SPRING SUGGESTED HIKES

TRY THESE HIKES IF YOU JUST WANT TO VERY BRIEFLY IF YOU HAVE A SEVERAL HOURS, TRY THESE HIKES And Animals. EXPERIENCE WHAT THE NCT IS ALL ABOUT • REMOVE plants, animals & mud The Laurentian Lakes (LLC) Chapter from boots, gear, pets & vehicle. IN HikeYOUR north from the State Hwy 34 trailhead as far as TRACKS.you want to go Tamarac National Wildlife Refuge from Pine Lake Parking to Old Indian and then return. You’ll cross through prairie fields and see wetlands. Trailhead – Hike 2.2 miles through a mixture of old field, hardwoods, • CLEAN your gear before entering & and along the shores of Tamarack Lake on unique trail. leaving the recreation site. Hike south from the Hwy 113 trailhead – White Earth State Forest • STAY on designated roads & trails. passing throughClean a white pine Your plantation Gear and return. Before EnteringHwy 113 to CR-39 Trailhead – Hike 4.3 miles through a mix of hardwoods and pine plantations and over some hilly terrain. Part of • USE CERTIFIED or local rewood & HikeAnd the spur trailBefore south from the Leaving U.S. Hwy 71 / South The Entrance Recreation this hike Site. is along the Laurentian (Continental) Divide. hay. SUMMER trailhead and west on the NCT and return. You’ll pass through old growth pines and see some beautiful lakes. Elbow Lake Rd to Hwy 113 Trailhead – Hike 4.8 miles along the Laurentian Divide passing through majestic hardwoods and tall pines. Hike the spur trail east from the Lake Alice Rd. / Hwy 34 trailhead to the NCT and then head west on the NCT and return. You’ll pass Itasca - Hwy 113 Trailhead to South Entrance of Itasca – Hike 7.5 through a mixed forest with rolling hills. miles through an old field, within old-growth pine forests, and past numerous backcountry lakes. Hike west on the NCT from the Hwy 84 trailhead through a mixed deciduous-coniferous forest and return. photo - Marcus Schaffer Itasca Moraine (ITM) Chapter Hike west from the FR2101 / Hwy 6 trailhead through a mixed forest CR-4 Trailhead to CR-91 parking area - Hike 8 miles through the and then Norway Pine plantations and return. Hubbard County Forest and Paul Bunyan State Forest passing by dozens of lakes along the way. FALL IF YOU WANT A LOOP HIKE WHERE YOU DON’T NEED TO CR-50 Trailhead to Shingobee Rec. Area Trailhead – Hike 3.5 miles BACKTRACK OR DO A CAR SHUTTLE, TRY THESE along the Shingobee valley, over Shingobee Creek via the “troll bridge” and then through the Shingobee XC ski / hike trail - Old Indian Trail in Tamarac National Wildlife Refuge system to the trailhead. HELP PREVENT THE SPREAD OF - Bear Paw spur / loop trail in Tamarac National Wildlife Refuge Park at the Waboose Lake Public Access Trailhead and hike the INVASIVE PLANTS AND ANIMALS. - Nelson Lake / Lake Twentyone loops in the Paul Bunyan State Forest Waboose Loop Trail – Hike the 3.9-mile loop around Waboose Lake - Waboose Lake loop in the Paul Bunyan State Forest near Nevis passing by old growth pines and enjoying views of the beautiful lake. REMOVE - Shingobee Recreation Area trail system in the Chippewa National plants, animals, and mud from boots, gear, pets, and vehicle. photo - Ryan Rodgers Forest near Walker - Lake Erin loop in the Chippewa National Forest north of Hackensack Star of the North (STN) Chapter CLEAN Hike 1.5 miles out and back from the Milton Lake public access your gear before entering and leaving the recreation site. trailhead along a serpentine esker covered with old-growth pines and WINTER other conifers. STAY Visit northcountrytrail.org for a on designated roads and trails. more detailed interactive map Hwy 84 Trailhead to Hwy 200 Trailhead – enjoy this 6.7 mile “Wetland and free hiking map downloads Wonders” hike which passes through a mix of pine plantations and USE CERTIFIED hardwood-conifer forest and past numerous wetlands. or local firewood and hay.

photo - Deanne Johnson