Hunter / Hiker Trails

Motorized vehicles are prohibited and the trails are mowed annually in September. These trails make for great rustic ungroomed snowshoe and cross country ski trails in the winter as well. Enjoy!

Al-Pine Trail

  • 11074 Leisure Ln, Brainerd MN 56401
  • 3.4 miles
  • This trail features:
    • Rare example of naturally occurring red and white pine forest on the north side
    • Beautiful babbling brook runs through the middle of the trail system
  • Trail Safety Info
  • Map
  • Operating Season - all year, mowed in September
  • Trail Conditions
  • Trail Experience Survey

Directions:

Located east of Brainerd, take State Highway 18 to Co. Road 23, go south on Co. Road 23 then east on Co. Road 24 then South on Leisure Lane, trailhead is south of bridge 1/3 mile on east side of Leisure Lane.

Blueberry Bog Trail

Directions:

Located northwest of Crosslake, follow Co. Road 1 west, turn north onto Ramsey Road, travel 2 miles, trailhead on the left.

Cranberry Bog Trail

  • 44205 Old Grade, Pine River MN 56474
  • 2.1 miles
  • This trail features:
    • Lots of young growth for excellent deer and grouse opportunities
    • Quite, remote, great for wildlife viewing
    • Surrounded by over 15,000 acres of public land
  • Trail Safety Info
  • Map
  • Operating Season - all year, mowed in September
  • Trail Conditions
  • Trail Experience Survey

Directions:

Located north of Manhattan Beach, from junction of Co. Road 1 & Old Grade Road, proceed north on Old Grade Road, 3.5 miles to trailhead on the left.

Hay Creek Trail

Directions:

From the Crow Wing County Landfill located between Brainerd and Crosby on State Highway 210, travel East on 210 approximately 0.6 miles. Look for brown memorial forest sign at Highway approach south side of Highway

Mississippi Shores Trail

  • 2623 Mississippi Shores Rd, Fort Ripley MN 56449
  • 1.4 miles
  • This trail features:
    • Abundant naturally occurring 100 year old red and white pine
    • White Pine seedlings planted in 2001 on east side of the trail system
  • Trail Safety Info
  • Map
  • Operating Season - all year, mowed in September
  • Trail Conditions
  • Trail Experience Survey

Directions:

Located south of Brainerd off of State Highway 371, turn right onto Mississippi Shores Road, trailhead is 1/2 mile from 371 on south side of road.

Pine Ridge Trail

Directions:

Located north of Crosslake, from junction of Co. Road 1 & Co. Road 3, proceed west on Co. Road 1 approx. 3/4 miles, turn right onto Kego Lake Road, trailhead is 1/2 mile past the Kego Lake access on the right.

Thompson Creek Trail

Directions:

Located north of Manhattan Beach, from junction of Co. Road 1 & Old Grade Road, proceed north on Old Grade Road, 2 miles to trailhead on the left.

Poor Farm Trail

  • 12570 State Highway 25, Brainerd MN 56401
  • 1.9 miles
  • This trail features:
    • The best blackberry picking in the county.
    • Oak plantings for turkey and wildlife habitat.
    • Location of the historic "Poor Farm."
    • Cooperative wildlife management area with the MN DNR.
    • Examples of numerous prescribed burns, both in prairie/savanna (north end) and oak forest (south end).
  • Trail Safety Info (PDF)
  • Map (PDF)
  • Operating Season - all year, mowed in September
  • Trail Conditions
  • Trail Experience Survey

Directions:

From State Highway 18 and 25, travel south 1 mile, trailhead on the left. Smaller parking area off of Butternut Road which is further south.

Portage Lake Trail

  • 22025 Iverson Rd, Ironton MN 56455
  • 0.4 miles
  • This trail features:
    • Great hiking opportunity with scenic overlook of Gillespie Lake.
    • Canoe/Kayak rest stations located along the trail.
    • Portage Lake is home to several breeding loons and other wildlife.
    • Ojibwe villages were located at both ends of the portage route in the 19th century.
    • Officially established by survey in the mid-1800's, although it had been used long before then.
  • Development and Historical Info (PDF)
  • Trail Safety Info (PDF)
  • Map (PDF)
  • Operating Season - all year, mowed in September
  • Trail Conditions
  • Trail Experience Survey

Directions:

Located just before the City of Riverton, travel northeast on Co. Road 128 for 0.6 miles, turn left onto Iverson Road for another 0.6 miles. Parking is on the left side of Iverson Road

Rice Lake Trail

Directions:

Located south of Ironton, follow State Highway 210 west, turn south onto Woodland Road, turn east onto Rider Road, trailhead is on south side of Rider Road

Rock Creek Trail

Directions:

Located north of Crosslake, from junction of Co. Road 1 & Co. Road 3, proceed west on Co. Road 1 approx. 3/4 mile, turn right onto Kego Lake Road, turn right into Pistol Lake Trail, take 2nd right along Pistol Lake Trail to trailhead.

Scrub Oak Trail

  • 15751 Scrub Oak Trl, Crosby MN 56442
  • 5.9 miles
  • This trail features:
    • Abundant oak forests create a haven for deer.
    • Borders historic and popular Pine River to the west.
    • Adjacent to Greer Lake State Management Campground to the east with camping, hiking, and fishing opportunities.
  • Trail Safety Info (PDF)
  • Map (PDF)
  • Operating Season - all year, mowed in September
  • Trail Conditions
  • Trail Experience Survey

Directions:

Located southeast of Crosslake, travel east on Co. Road 36, then south on Co. Road 114, turn right onto Greer Lake Road, Greer Lake Road will turn to the right, continue going straight past the Greer Lake Campground, trail will weave approx. for 2 miles to the trailhead.

White Pine Trail

  • 13192 County Road 1, Fifty Lakes MN 56448
  • 2.7 miles
  • This trail features:
    • Beautiful 100+ year old white pine remnant forest on the south end.
    • Popular grouse hunting area.
    • Easily accessible off the Paul Bunyan Scenic Byway and White Tail Trail.
    • Southern loop of trail contains 7 acre grove of planted tamarack that turns a beautiful golden brown color in the fall.
  • Trail Safety Info (PDF)
  • Map (PDF)
  • Operating Season - all year, mowed in September
  • Trail Conditions
  • Trail Experience Survey

Directions:

From junction of Co. Road 66 and Co. Road 1, proceed east on Co. Road 1 approx. 1/2 mile to White Tail Trail, trailhead is 1/2 mile in on left.

Please check the MN DNR Hunting & Trapping Regulations for information on handling accidental trap catches with dogs