The Shingobee Connection paved At State Park, the Paul Views of lakes, rivers and streams are trail is an easier alternate route to Bunyan State Trail connects to the numerous and many are accessible Walker, although there are a couple of Blue Ox Trail, and together these from the trail. The trail passes & Heartland short very steep hills as well as some trails form one of the longest through northern hardwood forests paved road shoulder sections of trail. rail-to-trail conversions in North and stands of jack, red, and white State Trails America for a total distance of 213 pine, as well as the spruce ÿr forest Beltrami, Cass, Hubbard & Crow Wing Counties Only 1/2 mile of the Paul Bunyan miles. The Blue Ox Trail is primarily an community. The occasional majestic State Trail within the City of Bemidji is unpaved motorized trail for white pine can be seen towering over not yet developed, but there are snowmobiling and off-highway vehicle the trail. on-street bike routes directing the riding and extends northeast to way as identiÿed on the map. International Falls.

Paul Bunyan State Trail The region is rich in history, having to Lake been inhabited for centuries before Bemidji State Park French explorers came to the area. Park Rapids to Cass Lake Thirteen recorded prehistoric sites The Paul have been identiÿed near the Paul The Heartland State Trail was one of Bunyan State Bunyan State Trail alone. the ÿrst rail-to-trail projects in the Trail is a 123 country. It is a 49 mile paved mile long The Ojibwe and Dakota were present multiple-use trail between Park multi-use trail in the area until explorers entered the Rapids and Cass Lake. The trail is between region and the logging and railroad located entirely on a level abandoned Along the Heartland Trail Crow Wing industries began to dominate. railroad grade, except for a four mile State Park segment north of Walker which is on and Lake Common mammals noticed along the Most towns along the trail have a rich sharply rolling terrain for Bemidji State trail include whitetail deer, raccoon, railroad and logging history. Today, snowmobilies. Bicyclers can follow Park, red fox, porcupine, beaver and they are popular vacation destinations level road shoulders along Steamboat including 8 muskrat. The observant trail user Statue of Paul Bunyan at Akeley and provide trail access points, rest Loop NW and Cove Lane as marked. miles shared may spot coyote, weasel, mink, areas and services. They also provide with the bobcat, black squirrel or black bear. a major part of the regional identity The 30 mile segment between Park Heartland State Trail. and sites of historic interest. Rapids and Walker has a second, Many varieties of birds can be seen natural surface treadway for Primarily located on a former along the trail including the bald Main summer uses of Paul Bunyan horseback riding, mountain biking Burlington Northern Railroad grade, eagle, which has a large population in State Trail include hiking, bicycling, and hiking. the trail is generally level and is the Chippewa National Forest and and in-line skating. wheelchair accessible with the surrounding area. The Heartland State Trail also exception of the 9 mile segment Snowmobiling is the primary winter provides connections to many miles through the Chippewa National use along the trail. Studded tracks are of groomed snowmobile trails in the Forest. This segment may be allowed on the Paul Bunyan State Hubbard County Grant-in-Aid trail challenging to some users as there Trail. The trail provides connections to system. are many rolling hills and curves with many miles of groomed snowmobile grades reaching 8%. trails in the Grant-in-Aid trail system.

PARKING AVAILABLE: • In Pequot Lakes, from Highway 371, For additional copies of this map or Construction Notes (as of 4/2017) (Do not leave valuables in your vehicle.) exit onto County Road 11, and go other state trail maps, contact the west into Pequot Lakes to the DNR Information Center. • The Clausen Avenue Bemidji trail The Paul Bunyan State Trail segment is proposed to be completed stoplight at the intersection with in 2018. Patriot Avenue. Turn left (south) onto DNR Information Center • In Crow Wing State Park. From Patriot Avenue, then take the next 500 Lafayette Road Baxter, south on Hwy 371 about 9 left (east) onto Woodman Street for Saint Paul, MN 55155-4040 miles, then west at County Road 27 1/2 block. The parking lot is on the (651) 296-6157 (metro area) for one mile to the park ofÿce. From left 1-888-646-6367 (MN toll free) Little Falls, north on Hwy 371, then west on Co. Rd. 27 for one mile to • Parking is also available in Department of Tourism park ofÿce. Merriÿeld, Nisswa, Jenkins, Pine 100 Metro Square River, Backus, Hackensack and 121 7th Place East • The Brainerd/Baxter trailhead, from Walker, east of Akeley, Nary, Guthrie Saint Paul, MN 55101-2112 the intersection of State Highway 210 and Laporte. (651) 296-5029 (metro area) and the State Highway 371 bypass in 1-888-TOURISM [868-7476] (toll free) Baxter, go north 1 block to Excelsior • There is one National Forest Service Road, then go east 3/4 mile to parking lot located off of County Rd. Minnesota Bikeway Maps Conservation Drive; the parking lot is 50 near the Shingobee Creek Minnesota Department of on the left. Tiger muskie statue on Heartland in city of Nevis crossing. This lot is roughly at the Transportation mid-way point on the Chippewa 395 John Ireland Boulevard • In . From section of trail. Room 110 Bemidji, go north on Co. Rd. 21 about Saint Paul, MN 55155 Printed on recycled paper with 4 miles, then east on Co. Rd. 20 - 2 The Heartland State Trail (651) 296-2216 a minimum of 30% miles to the park entrance. post-consumer waste • Parking for the trail is available in • On the east side of Lake Bemidji in You can also check out our website at: Park Rapids (at Red Bridge Park and mndnr.gov/state_trails Lavinia and at 5th and Gould in Heartland County Park), Dorset, State trails require a permit Bemidji. Nevis, Akeley, Walker, Erickson’s This information is available in alternative for anyone horseback riding format by request or riding an out of state snowmobile. Landing north of Walker, Steamboat PLEASE NOTE: Horses are not permitted • Southwest of Walker on State Landing public water access/rest area on the paved trails or shoulders, except Highway 34 just south of the and Cass Lake. The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources is an when crossing bridges or roads. For more intersection of the Paul Bunyan and equal opportunity employer. information about horseback riding or Heartland Trails, approximately 4 miles snowmobiling, please visit the DNR east of Akeley. website at mndnr.gov or call the DNR Info Center at 1-888-MINNDNR.

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