The Shingobee Connection paved trail At Lake Bemidji State Park, the Paul Views of lakes, rivers and streams are Paul Bunyan is an easier alternate route to Walker, Bunyan State Trail connects to the numerous and many are accessible although there are a couple of short Blue Ox Trail, and together these from the trail. The trail passes & Heartland very steep hills as well as some paved trails form one of the longest through northern hardwood forests 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 State miles. The Blue Ox Trail is primarily an community. The occasional majestic Trail within the City of Bemidji is not unpaved motorized trail for white pine can be seen towering over yet developed, but there are snowmobiling and off-highway vehicle the trail. on-street bike routes directing the The riding and extends northeast to region the Paul Bunyan State Trail runs International Falls. Paul Bunyan State Trail through is rich in history. Crow Wing State Park to Lake The Paul Bunyan State Trail runs Bemidji State Park Heartland State Trail through a region rich in history. There Park Rapids to Cass Lake are thirteen recorded prehistoric sites The Paul near the trail. Before European The Heartland State Trail was one of Bunyan State explorers arrived, the area was the ÿrst rail-to-trail projects in the Trail is a 123 homeland to Dakota and Ojibwe country. It is a 49 mile paved mile long people. The Dakota lived on these multiple-use trail between Park multi-use trail lands until the 1700s, when the Rapids and Cass Lake. The trail is between Ojibwe migrated east from the Great located entirely on a level abandoned Along the Heartland Trail Crow Wing Lakes. Minnesota is home to railroad grade, except for a four mile State Park Indigenous Peoples to this day. segment north of Walker which is on and Lake Common mammals noticed along the sharply rolling terrain for Bemidji State trail include whitetail deer, raccoon, Towns along the trails have a rich snowmobilies. Bicyclers can follow Park, red fox, porcupine, beaver and railroad, logging and cultural history level road shoulders along Steamboat including 8 muskrat. The observant trail user Statue of Paul Bunyan at Akeley and now they are popular vacation Loop NW and Cove Lane as marked. may spot coyote, weasel, mink, miles shared destinations that provide trail access with the bobcat, black squirrel or black bear. points, rest areas and other services. The 30 mile segment between Park Heartland State Trail. Rapids and Walker has a second, Many varieties of birds can be seen Main summer uses of Paul Bunyan natural surface treadway for Primarily located on a former along the trail including the bald State Trail include hiking, bicycling, horseback riding, mountain biking Burlington Northern Railroad grade, eagle, which has a large population in and in-line skating. and hiking. the trail is generally level and is the Chippewa National Forest and wheelchair accessible with the surrounding area. Snowmobiling is the primary winter The Heartland State Trail also exception of the 9 mile segment use along the trail. Studded tracks are provides connections to many miles through the Chippewa National allowed on the Paul Bunyan State Trail. of groomed snowmobile trails in the Forest. This segment may be The trail provides connections to many Hubbard County Grant-in-Aid trail challenging to some users as there miles of groomed snowmobile trails in system. are many rolling hills and curves with the Grant-in-Aid trail system. grades reaching 8%. 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 Minnesota 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 Lake Bemidji State Park. 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 when crossing bridges or roads. For more intersection of the Paul Bunyan and an 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. © 2018 Minnesota Department of Natural Resources .