Bunyan Trail is one of the longest rail-trails in the country . The trail is fully paved with towns spaced about every nine miles for quick visits into town . The trailhead begins at the Bemidji State Park and winds through forest , crosses the Mississippi River and follows along the east shore of Lake Bemidji . Bring your own bike , or rent a bike at Lake Bemidji State Park , Country Inn & Suites , Hampton Inn & Suites and DoubleTree hotels . Many trails are accessible right from your lodging doorstep .
Abandoned by mining companies over 35 years ago , the Cuyuna Lakes State Trail in Cuyuna , Minnesota , passes many turquoise lakes that were once 600-foot-deep mine pits . Recently , the mountain bike trail expanded to a 50-mile singletrack mountain bike system for advanced to expert mountain bike riders . “ All of this advanced trail development is a result of broad support from regional businesses , the mountain bicycling community and the hard work of the Cuyuna Lakes Mountain Bike Crew , whose volunteers help maintain the trail system ,” said Nicholas Statz , Cuyuna Country State Recreation Area Mountain bike trail technician for the Minnesota DNR .
The 50-mile-long mountain bike trail system covers nearly 800 acres inside the Cuyuna Country State Recreation Area and has been ranked as a silver level ride center by the International Mountain Bicycling Association . Statz said , “ The North Mahnomen Unit ( or area ) expansion features three new gravity flow trails ( Sinter , Sledgehammer and Portal trails ) that are connected by the new , more difficult Backcountry trail that are intended to provide riders with a sense of remoteness and adventure .”
Construction of the Sagamore Unit started in April 2021 and will continue through fall 2022 . Its trails will provide an experience ranging from beginner to very difficult . The recreation area ’ s first adaptive handcycle trail will also be constructed for riders of all abilities .
A signature trait of the trails at Cuyuna is that your bike tires will get red due to all the taconite out there .
Hiking is allowed on the mountain bike trails , unless otherwise posted .
Refer to the overview trail map on the Cuyuna Country State Trail Recreation Area ’ s website https :// www . dnr . state . mn . us / state _ trails / cuyuna _ lakes and click on “ Download Map ” below the photo .
Canoeing and kayaking
Twenty-five percent of Minnesota ’ s waters are found in the Bemidji area .
The Mississippi River State Water Trail begins its 2,552-mile journey in Itasca State Park . Its first 50 miles are narrow , sometimes only five to ten feet wide with few signs of development . You will pass white and red pine , oak , maple ,
Canoe Couple on North Union Lake - Credit John Magnoski , courtesy Explore Alexandria Tourism
birch and aspen trees .. As you travel towards Bemidji , you ’ ll start to notice farms and homes . The Mississippi River flows through several large lakes for a scenic and peaceful setting .
“ You can canoe and kayak on over 300 lakes in Douglas County . The most popular lakes are Lake Brophy , North Union Lake , Lake Stoney and Taylor Lake . They are all connected and paddle friendly . There are not a lot of big boats on them ,” said James Feist .
The largest city in Douglas County is Alexandria , which has the Legacy of the Lakes Museum that houses classic wooden and fiberglass boats .
Shirley Mae ’ s Outfitters in Little Falls , Minnesota , is located on the Mississippi River between Brainerd and Royalton . Owner John Carpenter said , “ My shop has many choices of adventures .” There are five put-ins . One is seven miles away at Fletcher Creek and the float lasts about three hours . The next one is 14-and-a-half miles away .
“ Our rentals include : a 10-person raft ; eight canoes that will fit two adults and two kids ; eight kayaks ; and two double kayaks . Kayaks are extremely fun and stable , but you don ’ t stay as dry as in a canoe . We ’ ll take care of everything for you ,” Carpenter said . “ You just bring snacks , water and sunscreen .” For more information , visit Shirleymaesoutfitters . com .
Originating from a chain of 11 lakes in southern Hubbard County , the Crow Wing River then flows southeast about 90 miles before joining the Mississippi River . Gloege ’ s Northern Sun Canoe Outfitting in Sebeka , Minnesota , is a family-run canoe and kayak outfitting service located on the scenic Crow Wing Canoe Trail . You ’ ll paddle past stands of red pine , through birch and maple forests , past marshes and see numerous species of birds and four-legged wildlife . “ We rent canoes and kayaks and provide transportation services ,” Lee Gloege said . “ Our knowledgeable staff will help you plan a memorable canoe trip . We are about
150 miles northwest of the Twin Cities .” Visit Canoethecrowwing . com for more information .
ATVs Minnesota has one of the best ATV trail systems in the country . There over 2,500 miles of designated state ATV trails mapped and with signage to give riders of all skill levels an offroad adventure .
Three different trail systems in the Bemidji area are : 1 . The Wilton Trails Northwest system starts west of Bemidji and runs 37 miles along abandoned rail-trails .
2 . The Round River Drive Trail is 107 miles long and is a combination of Paul Bunyan State Forest roads and trails . The terrain varies greatly , and miles of trail twist and climb in this rocky , pothole landscape .
3 . The Schoolcraft Trail is 29 miles long and connects the community of Lake George to the Paul Bunyan State Forest . This hilly terrain is dotted with ponds and bogs .
For fun , on Saturday , May 21 , 2022 , the ATV Minnesota Ride & Roast annual event is at McQuoid ’ s Inn , located on the southeast corner of Mille Lacs Lake in Isle , Minnesota . The event starts with a pancake breakfast by the Isle Fire Department , followed by guided ATV rides . You can rent ATVs and in winter , rent snowmobiles at the inn . Visit Mcquoidsinn . com / atv-rentals for more information .
Two top ATV trails nearby Isle , Minnesota , are : 1 . Soo Line South Trail is 114 miles long , and is rated easy , as it ’ s on a rail-trail .
2 . The Red Top ATV Trail is 25 miles of backwoods riding and ranges from easy to difficult with its challenging series of loops and rocky terrain .
For more information on ATVs , visit ATVMN . org .
6 destinationupnorth . com