Paul Bunyan

When completed, the Paul Bunyan State Trail will be a 110 mile long multiple use trail between Brainerd/Baxter and Bemidji. Primarily located on a former Burlington Northern Railroad grade, the trail is generally level and is wheelchair accessible. Currently, 74.5 miles of the trail is paved: 69.5 miles from Baxter to Walker, and 5 miles from Lake Bemidji State Park to Co. Rd. 20 across the Mississippi River trestle to 5th and Gould. The remaining 35.5 mile section is undeveloped with variable surface material ranging from the original railroad ballast to sand.

The region is rich in history, having been inhabited for centuries before French explorers came to the area. Thirteen recorded prehistoric sites have been identified near the Paul Bunyan State Trail alone. The Ojibwe and Dakota were present in the area until explorers entered the region and the logging and railroad industry took over. Most towns along the trails have a rich railroad and logging history. Now they are popular vacation destinations and provide trail access points, rest areas and services. They also provide a major part of the regional identity and sites of historic interest.

Main summer uses of developed portions of the Paul Bunyan State Trail include hiking, bicycling, and in-line skating. Snowmobiling is the primary winter use along both the paved and undeveloped sections of the trail, however studded tracks are prohibited on the paved surface. The trail provides connections to many miles of groomed snowmobile trails in the county Grants-in-Aid trail system. When completed, the Paul Bunyan State Trail will also connect with the Blue Ox Trail forming one of the longest rail to trail conversions in North America - 210 miles.

Parking

• The southern trailhead of the Paul Bunyan State Trail is located on Excelsior Road in Baxter. From the intersection of State Highway 210 and the State Highway 371 bypass in Baxter, go north 1 block to Excelsior Road, then go east 3/4 mile to Conservation Drive; the parking lot is on the left.
• The northern trailhead is located in Lake Bemidji State Park. From Bemidji, go north on Co. Rd. 21 about 4 miles, then east on Co. Rd. 20 two miles to the park entrance.
• in Merrifield, Nisswa, Pequot Lakes, Jenkins, Pine River, Backus, Hackensack, and Walker.
• North Country Trail parking 5 miles west of T.H. 371 on Cass County Road 50
• off T.H. 34, three miles east of Akeley.

Do not leaves valuables in your car.

Nearby DNR recreational areas
Heartland State Trail, Lake Bemidji State Park, Crow Wing State Park, Paul Bunyan State Forest, Foothills State Forest, Mississippi Headwaters State Forest, Pillsbury State Forest, Mississippi River Canoe & Boating Route, Crow Wing River Canoe & Boating Route, Pine River Canoe & Boating Route.

Other nearby recreational opportunities
Chippewa National Forest, Terry R. Johnson Rec Area.