Heartland State Trail

Heartland State Trail

Heartland State Trail Location

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The Heartland State Trail was one of the first rail-to-trail projects in the country. It is a 49 mile multiple-use trail between Park Rapids and Cass Lake. The trail is located entirely on a level abandoned railroad grade, except for a four-mile segment north of Walker that is on sharply rolling terrain for snowmobilers. Bicyclists can follow level road shoulders along Steamboat Loop NW and Cove Lane as marked.

Both the 27 mile segment connecting Park Rapids and Walker and the 22 mile segment connecting Walker and Cass Lake are paved. The Park Rapids to Walker segment also has a parallel natural surface trail for horseback riding, hiking and mountain biking. The Heartland State Trail also connects with the Paul Bunyan State Trail system and other regional trail systems.

Landscape
Views of lakes, rivers and streams are numerous, and many are accessible from the trail. The trail passes through northern hardwood forests and stands of jack, red, and white pine, as well as the spruce fir forest community. The occasional majestic white pine can be seen towering over the trail.

Mammals along the trail include whitetail deer, raccoon, red fox, porcupine, beaver and muskrat. The observant visitor may spot coyote, weasel, mink, bobcat or black bear. Many varieties of birds can be seen along the trail including the bald eagle, which has a large population in the Chippewa National Forest and surrounding area.
Trail uses

hikingHiking

bikingBiking

in-line skatingIn-line skating

mountain bikingMountain biking

snowmobilingSnowmobiling

Wheelchair accessAccessible Outdoors (electric wheelchairs allowed)

Trail events

Events calendar

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There are currently no event listings.

Permits
  • You will need a Horse Pass if you will be horseback riding or carriage driving.
  • You will need a Ski Pass for cross-country skiing on a groomed track. Ungroomed tracks do not require a pass.
  • Snowmobiles must be registered or have a snowmobile state trail sticker.
  • No other fees or passes are required to use the trail.
Parking
Do not leave valuables in your vehicle!

Parking is available at the following trail accesses:

  • Park Rapids: Heartland County Park - North 0.25 mile on Mill Street from Highway 34.
  • Dorset: North 1.4 miles on Highway 225 from Highway 34.
  • Nevis: At intersection of County Road 18 and Village Road off Highway 34.
  • Akeley: North from Highway 34 travel 0.1 miles on Hillside Avenue.
  • Walker: South on County Road 12 0.25 miles from Highway 371 to Lake May Drive and Heartland Place south.
  • Erickson's Landing: Two miles north of Walker on highway 371.
  • Steamboat Landing: West off Highway 371 travel 0.3 mile on 130st Street northwest.
  • Cass Lake: On the north side of Highway 2 at rest area 2 miles east of Cass Lake and across the highway on south side.
Restrooms
Most communities provide public restrooms nearby with some in local parks in proximity to the trail. Organizations such as chambers of commerce or tourism agencies provide restroom facilities within some larger communities. Local businesses provide restroom facilities for customers. Portable toilet facilities are often provided in the larger and often used trail rest areas. See the trail map for these locations.
Winter
Studded tracks are allowed on the Heartland State Trail. The trail also provides connections to many miles of groomed snowmobile trails in the Hubbard and Cass counties through the Grant-in-Aid trail system.

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